The Great Migration in Africa – Serengeti to Masai Mara

The great migration is one of the remarkable events in Africa. Each year, about 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and other herbivores trek from the southern Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya and back again. This movement is driven by the search for water and fresh grazing grounds.

During this annual migration, the herds trek some 1200 miles in a clockwise circle traversing vast plains and rivers. Unfortunately, it’s never a walk in the park for the grazers. Hungry predators like lions, cheetahs, crocodiles, and hyenas are constantly salivating for them.

It’s unclear what triggers this dispersal but experts suggest that rain, lightning, and the sound of thunder spur the movement forward. While these animals trek in significant numbers, large enough to be seen from space, thousands perish due to injuries and attacks from dangerous predators.

When planning your Africa safari, you probably want to experience this spectacular wildlife phenomenon. In this guide, I’ll explain when the great migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara takes place and what to expect when these animals move across the African savannah.

When is the great migration in Africa?

The migration of enormous groups of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and eland is majorly dictated by rainfall patterns in the East African region. This movement follows a reasonably predictable cycle although with slight variations from year to year. 

Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks have plenty of other animals that you can enjoy year-round. But if you want to witness every bit of the great migration then you need to have plenty of patience as it is a waiting game. It’s also a kind of chaotic movement as animals move forward, backward, and sideways.

The season of great migration is typically the best time of the year to visit Kenya for safari. Here is a month-by-month analysis of this world’s spectacular animal event.

January to March

From December through March, the herds of grazers are spread out across the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Around February, females congregate to give birth over a 2-3 week period. More than 500,000 calves are born in this short window.

Wildebeests prefer to calve in this area due to the short grasses, providing less cover for predators. Even still, pride of lions, leopards, and hyenas live their best at this time. They get an easy kill targeting pregnant wildebeests and the newly born calves.

What’s more, the volcanic soils in these plains contain special minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus which help in producing grass rich in nutrients. This means the mother wildebeests and zebras produce nutritious milk to feed their young ones.

April to July

As the south and east plains of the Serengeti dry out, herds begin moving north across the central and the western corridor of Serengeti. Although not in one synchronized group, they target one destination. To get some water, most herds head towards the Grumeti River. 

From around June to July, herds are pushing their way to north towards Masai Mara. At this time, the Grumeti River is low and the only source of water is the heavily crocodile-infested pools. Large herds of wildebeests and zebras congregate here as they gather the courage to cross the river.

It is also here where the Wildebeest will begin to mate. Various camps along the river offer incredible safari options to witness how the herds are spooked by real or imagined threats. Wildebeests and zebras keep milling around contentedly as they fear crossing the river.

August to October

August through November is considered the best time to view the Great Migration. At this time of the year, large herds of wildebeests and other herbivores arrive at Kenya’s Masai Mara, crossing the Mara River. This is the most dramatic and highly sought-after moment for tourists who visit Masai Mara National Reserve.

Crossing the Mara River is the toughest challenge. At this point, both young and old test the wrath of nature. Strong currents, steep banks, and hungry predators all lie in their path. The wildebeests approach the river cautiously, often forming large groups on the banks.

Once the decision to cross is made, the wildebeests plunge into the river. It’s a chaotic scene as thousands of animals jostle for positions. Crocodiles lie in wait, ready to seize any opportunity. Some end up succumbing to exhaustion and the treacherous conditions of the river.

Those that successfully cross meet the lush grasslands on the other side of the Mara River. Here the herds feed and fatten up as they prepare to head back to the south. Safaris on the Maasai Mara can also enjoy viewing other wonderful wildlife in the reserve.

November to December

From November through December, the herds complete their migration cycle as they leave the Mara and turn south. By this time, all the grasses in the Mara reserve are consumed and rains are starting in the southern Serengeti plains. The brave ones will once again cross the Mara River back to where the journey started.

Where is the best place to see the great migration in Africa?

In particular, there is no better place to witness the great migration in Africa. As said, it’s a game of wait and see. Wildebeest migration is a natural process that depends on weather and other environmental factors. Timing and routes are mere estimations.

To have the best view, you should visit Serengeti in Tanzania or the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Camping at Ngorongoro Conservation Area will give you an opportunity to witness Wildebeests and zebras calving. A frenzied climax is when the herds cross the Mara River.

A well-arranged tour by a Kenyan or Tanzanian Safari company can put you on the right itinerary with the action. You can combine your Mara trip with a visit to Nairobi National Park or the Lake Nakuru National Park for more wild experiences in the magical Kenya. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact us.