Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya’s masai mara is best know for the annual wildebeest migration which is by far the greatest wildlife spectacle of the modern world. Watching it happen, one can easily see why this is the case. This truly must be the ultimate African   Kenya Safari experience.

These animals cover fast areas during the migration knowing no boundaries. From the magnificent and vast plains of the Serengeti, to the champagne colored hills of Kenya’s Masai mara over 1.5 million wildebeest are followed closely by 200,000 zebra and gazelle. Off course where the prey go there the predators will be too.Lions, Cheetah and hyena relentlessly follow these herds, constantly on the look out for the injured, the weak or the young.Together these animals cover distances of over 1,800 miles each year in search of pasture.It’s a never ending circle, with no real beginning or ending to these wildebeests and zebra. Life ends at the jaws of a crocodile, lion or hyena.Its life is an endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water. The only beginning is at the moment of birth. An estimated 400,000 wildebeest calves are born during a six week period early each year - usually between late January and mid-March.

To truly witness and appreciate this spectacle timing is key.

The Migratory Path

DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH

During this period, the Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area is fully of activity as enormous herds of wildebeest graze these vast plains.Calving begins in late January through mid march and the herds can be found concentrated at the Salei and Ndutu plains, which are located South of the Serengeti/ Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

During this period the migration is best observed from Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Camp.

APRIL, MAY

By this time the vast number of animals grazing have depleted  the grass. The plains can no longer support the herds of wildebeest  and zebra.  The migrating herds, turn west and north, moving from the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the long grass plains and woodland of the Serengeti’s western Corridor, close to Lake Victoria.

At this time the rains fall making wildlife viewing very difficult because the roads are inaccessible.However some lodges like Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Camp and the Serengeti Serena Lodge are fine for wildlife viewing during this time because of their strategic location. So are campsites in the Ndutu/Naabi area.

JUNE

By the end of May the wildebeest have exhausted the Western Corridor’s best pastures and the herds must move further north. Entering the Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle breeding occurs May through June.

This is a transitional period between the rains and the dry season. The Serengeti Serena is a central, easily accessible lodge for viewing the migration at this time. Grumeti River Camp, Migration Camp and Kirawira Camp are also options. Seronera and Moru area campsites are best.

JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER

By this time the countless herds have amassed along the swollen Mara River - a final barrier from the short sweet grasses of Kenya’s Masai Mara. Here is where it can get really Ugly and if you have watched any wildebeest migration video then this is probably what you have seen on these videos as hundereds of these wildebeest attempt to cross the river almost at the same time. Sometimes the crossing place they choose is shallow allowing the majority of animals to pass safely. In other areas the waters boil with drowning wildebeest and slashing crocodiles.

Between July and October the wildebeest reside in the Mara. We recommend Governor’s Il Moran Tented Camp as the leading safari camp in the Masai Mara. Other tented camps include Governor’s Main Camp, Little Governor’s Camp, Bataluer Camp, and Mara River Camp. Tanzanian lodges recommended during this time include Kirawira Tented, Migration Camp, and Grumeti River Camp. Kirawira and Moru area campsites are best.

NOVEMBER

By November the short rains have began to fall. This is the signal for migration to move southward. During the short rains of November the wildebeest migration is best viewed from either Lobo Wildlife Lodge or Klein’s Camp. Campsites in the Lobo area are best.As November ends the migration is making its way back to the southern Serengeti and early in the year they once again give birth. The circle of life continues. Because the migration is a natural event and the timing tend to vary slightly month by month or even year by year