5 Days Wildebeest Migration Safari at Masai Mara

Our 5 Days Wildebeest Migration Safari at Masai Mara is a luxury private tour of Mara’s finest; Masai Mara National Reserve and Naibosho Conservancy. Embark on an amazing journey to the Masai Mara on our custom-made safari Land Cruisers and allow us to take you to the front line of the world’s most famous spectacle involving wildlife; The Wildebeest Migration at the Masai Mara.

Wildebeest Migration is an all year round movement involving millions of wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and The Masai Mara of Kenya. Its one of the wonders of the world as nowhere in the world has movement involving such a huge number of wild animals been witnessed. The Migration is controlled by rainfall patterns which in turn dictates the availability of food. The animals move in search for food. Due to this its hard to tell the actual timing because its a natural phenomenon that totally rely on climate. But for the best best Migration on Kenya’s side July to October is a great time.

We stay at Base camp Explorer located along the banks of River Talek in Masai Mara National Reserve and Leopard Hill Camp in Naibosho Conservancy.

Wildebeest Migration Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara
• Day 2 & 3: Msai Mara National Reserve
• Day 4: Naibosho Conservancy
• Day 5: Travel back to Nairobi

Where to stay

• Base Camp Explorer at Masai Mara National Reserve
• Leopard Hill Camp at Naibosho Conservancy

Other options can be provided if the above are unavailable at the time of booking or if the traveler wants different option.

What to pack

• Binoculars
• Camera ( 70 – 300 MM Lens recommended).
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

How Wildebeest Migration works

For an excellent Wildebeest Migration Safari timing is key. Although nobody knows the actual time when it is bound to start, from our previous experience we recommend mid July through to August. Thats when the wildebeest starts to move into Masai mara.

Numbers involved differ each year but previously we have witnessed over 1.5 million herds of wildebeest and thousands of zebras cross into Masai Mara followed by a host of predictors.  It get interesting during the crossing of the Mara River. The journey if full of danger as lions, cheetah, leopard and other predictors follow them throughout the migration. But their biggest obstacle is the crossing of the Mara river to get to the other side of the Masai Mara where the grass is greener. The crocodiles wait for the herds as they cross the river and feast on them. Usually thousands will not make it to the other side. The cycle repeats itself every time there is a crossing. Our guides will rely on experience and every form of information at their disposal to figure out where these animals will be crossing at will take you there.

Month to Month

December to April

Best place to see catch the migration at this time of the year is Serengeti in Tanzania. Depending on the amount of rain and distribution herds can be located far south between Ndutu and Ngorongoro plains. If you want to witness the birthing season the wildebeests the best month is February. The herds move swiftly in search of grass to feed the young ones. Predictors such as lions and Leopards follow to prey on the vulnerable calves.

By March and April they start arriving in Central and Western Serengeti regions as they move further Northwards.

May to June

Herds move further north. Of course in search of greener pastures and water. June is the end of the rainy season in Serengeti and this is usually time for River Grumet crossing. Here there is action though not as spectacular as the one in the Mara River. You may spot Nile Crocodiles too.

July to September 

Real action is about to begin as the herds move further upwards and start entering into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. The herds regroup and start to cross crocodile infested Mara River. This is usually the most preferred moments of the migration, watching the frantic herds of the wildebeests crossing the Mara River. and its the best time to book our Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safaris 

October to November

By this time grass in the Tanzania side has started to grow again and the herds move further south through western Loliondo and the Serengeti National Park’s Lobo area. This cycle takes place throughout the year.

Note

The timing may vary depending on the rains pattern