Nowhere on Earth is there a jaw-dropping movement of animals as elephantine as the annual migration where huge herds of grazers move across Northern Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. This is a spectacle to behold. Also known as the Great annual migration, the wildebeest migration involves over 1.5 million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras and 300,000 gazelles migrating through the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystems at certain times of the year to search for greener pastures, while following a certain pattern. This is without question one of the most breathtaking wonders of the natural World.
This magical natural spectacle is therefore dictated by the seasons, where the rains are and growth of fresh grass. The perfect way to experience this natural phenomenal is to understand the path of the migration, hence plan when the animals will be at a particular point, at certain months of the year.
The climax and most breathtaking moment of this wildebeest migration is watching large herds of these animals hurdling to cross the Mara River while battling against the savaging crocodiles in the deep waters, not forgetting the lions and other predators patrolling the banks of the River. Prepare for different emotions-inspiration, excitement, heartache and anticipation. Although wildebeests are the main celebrant of this annual migration, they are accompanied by Grant’s and Thompson’s Gazelles, zebras, common elands, Defassa waterbucks and Impalas.
Best time for the wildebeest migration in Kenya
The best time for the wildebeest migration in Kenya is July to September, because it is when Kenya receives millions of wildebeests, zebras and Gazelles from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the Masai Mara National Reserve. During this migration, you will be treated to views of endless battles for survival, thus making this event a reason to visit magical Kenya. Throughout the whole year, large wildebeest herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and episodes of their movements are experienced in June, July, August, September and sometimes in October.
After the rains of October and November, the grazers are faced with another challenge of crossing the Rivers back into the Eastern borders of Serengeti National Park. As the year begins, grasses within the south of Serengeti are verdant with rains hence drawing the herds back and the cycle continues.
Where to stay when experiencing the wildebeest migration in Kenya
Rekero Camp is the best place to stay to stay while witnessing the wildebeest migration in Kenya as it overlooks Talek River (another excellent River crossing) within Masai Mara National Reserve. Other places to stay are Angama Mara, Serengeti Bushtops, Elewana Sand River, Base Camp Masai Mara, Mahali Mzuri, Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Bush Camp, Mara River Tented Camp, Naboisho Camp, Sanctuary Olonana and many others.
