All you need to know about the Annual Great migration in Kenya

All you need to know about the Annual Great migration in Kenya : The adage “the grass is always greener on the other side” is well-known. The grass is, in fact, greener on the other side during the big exodus. Over two million wildebeests, zebra, Thomson’s gazelles and other herbivores travel annually from the southern Serengeti to the lush Masai Mara. The great migration, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a famous Kenya safari must-see.

The ‘great’ in ‘Great Migration’ may be a bit of an understatement with 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 12,000 eland, and 300,000 Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles migrating from southern Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. A famous natural occurrence that occurs continuously throughout the year is migration, the time of which is determined by the environment, the weather, and, of course, the animals themselves. In other words, the world’s largest mammal migration occurs after a rainy season. In quest of greener, more mineral-rich grasses and water, the herds move through Serengeti and Maasai Mara environments in a circle of 800 kilometres. The animals travel across Tanzania’s Serengeti for the majority of each cycle, but they also spend several months wandering through the Masai Mara’s fertile plains.

The herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles are greeted by more deadly predators than they can handle when they enter the Masai Mara. In addition to the danger posed by the big cats, the lemming-like herds must cross the Mara River while dodging around 3000 crocodiles that hide in the dark waters. It’s stunning, to put it mildly, to watch the herds leap into the river waters blindly from riverbank ledges. The vast herds are eventually repaid with the bounty of the expansive Masai Mara plains. Life is good, at least for a while. The animals depart when the rains stop falling and the food source runs out.

The ideal months to view the Great Migration in Masai Mara are often from July through October. But remember, Mother Nature is in charge. There is certainly no way to know for sure that the herds will cross a river during a specific period of time, but we will give you a fairly probable idea of when to expect those magical moments during the Great Migration. Weather conditions can be erratic, and early or late rainfall may cause a delayed or early migration pattern. The good news is that there is a plenty of wildlife to enjoy in the Masai Mara all year long.

The busiest months in the Masai Mara are July to October, the months that are most generally recommended as the optimum time of year to see the Great Migration. You can be sure that during these months, the herds won’t be all to yourself. There will likely be more safari tourists inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, and you could have to wait in queue for safari game drives. We advise staying in one of the Masai Mara conservancies during this time if you want a more tranquil stay. What to anticipate from the Great Migration is outlined below.

July.

The Serengeti herds flee the parched plains in late July and early August in search of food and water. The most exciting time to view the stunning Mara River crossings is right now.

August.

By August, the majority of the wildebeest and their travelling companions will have arrived in the Mara. A huge cat hunting team that is really keen to hunt them greets them.

September.

In September, things are fine in the Mara. On the plains, the herds have some peace and quiet. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is at its most spectacular during this time of year for thrilling safari game drives.

October.

The rains began in October, and by November the herds are starting to return to the Serengeti. And so, the great migration’s never-ending cycle keeps going.