Kenya migration safari takes place in Maasai Mara National Reserve. The yearly wildebeest migration, commonly known as the “Great Migration,” is the movement of millions of wildebeests, as well as Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles and zebras, from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The annual movement of the Great Wildebeest Migration or Kenya migration safari, which is one of the most dramatic and exciting instances in wildlife behavior in the world, occurs as the animals follow their instincts to seek out new pastures. The Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem’s patterns of animal movement are followed by the animals.
Kenya migration safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve during the wildebeest migration, we advise starting your travel arrangements in mid-July as this is when the migration usually begins with the larger herds of wildebeest beginning to move into Maasai Mara. In the Maasai Mara national reserve, the Kenya migration safari lasts until the end of August before slowing down into mid-September.
Every year, a different set of animals participate in the Kenya migration safari or annual wildebeest migration. However, approximately 1.5 million wildebeests, as well as about a million zebras and gazelles, have been seen in prior migrations (Thomson and Grants).
The journey is dangerous because they must bridge the Talek and Mara rivers, which are home to lethal Nile crocodiles. Many of the animals are helpless against the enormous crocodiles, which are always on the lookout for prey, and the ones that cross can be waited by the lions as their next meal though the resilient ones still survive.
What time of the year is Kenya migration safari?
Kenya migration safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve begins in July and ends in late October, specific times in this time frame are unpredictable until the first large herds of wildebeest actually congregate at the northern edge of the Serengeti as they approach the Mara.
When exactly the final leg of the movement begins is difficult to predict because the initial herds are occasionally known to stay in one place for days on end without crossing over to the Mara.
What is the best time to see Kenya migration safari?
Basing on encounter obtained from decades of operating wildebeest safaris, Mid July to Late August is the best time to see the spectacular migration.
Remember that the migration happens slowly over a period of several weeks at several points along the Serengeti-Maasai Mara border.
August would definitely be the greatest month to view the wildebeest migration if we base our decision on months.
Where do the Kenya migration safari migrate to and from?
The Kenya migration safari or wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti National Park to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This migration is affected by a number of variables, including the climate, forage, mating, and calving seasons. Please take note that wildebeest migrate all year long in a roughly clockwise manner, covering large areas and entering the southern, middle, and western Serengeti before making the difficult trek that will eventually bring them to Maasai Mara in July or August.
Around the end of October, they make their way back to the Serengeti, though this journey is less spectacular and more like a slow dispersal.
How do you see the wildebeest migration/ Kenya migration safari?
Here is how a traveler can view the fascinating Kenya migration safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
During a safari game drive, which is conducted in specialized vehicles (more preferably land cruisers) by knowledgeable and experienced driver-guides, one can observe the stunning great wildebeest migration or Kenya migration safari.
There are a few key locations in the plains of Maasai Mara national reserve where the Kenya migration safari can be observed during game drives as they cross the rivers and meander across the huge open plains.
As some of the safari lodges and camps can be up to an hour’s drive from the best vantage points, it may be necessary to access and station oneself at these points for a full day of game viewing in the reserve.
The river crossing, which is the highlight of the wildebeest migration or Kenya migration safaris, is what most visitors/tourists that travel to Maasai Mara national reserve on a Kenya safari to view the wildebeest migration consider viewing. Spending enough time at these crossing places, which tend to change slightly each year while staying in a usually similar sub locality of Maasai Mara national reserve, is recommended if you want to see this migration’s peak.