The Mara Safari Experience

Wildebeest Migration happens across the parks of Masai Mara, Kenya and Serengeti, Tanzania throughout the year. The timing and directions are rarely exact although the similarities year after year makes the phenomenon a real natural wonder.

The typical routes undertaken are:-

Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

January, February & March

•  The migration animals are in Ndutu area of Southern Serengeti in Tanzania.
•  By the end of March the wild party spread over the short grass plains in Southern Serengeti, Loliondo and Ngorongoro Conservation Area

April

•  The great migration herds move north, through Moru Kopjes and Seronera areas of Central Serengeti

May to June

•  The migration herds head north through Seronera towards the Western Corridor to cross the Grumeti River. This is the first annual crossing. Crocodiles have a feasting season and the predators have their sensational hunts.
• The great migration herds pass through Ikorongo and into the far north-west of the national park

Movement into Masai Mara, Kenya

July, August, September & Mid October

• By mid July, the herds cross the Sand River into Masai Mara National Reserve.
• There are traditional routes here where the herds head northwest into the Mara Triangle before crossing the Mara River. During these months, splits may be noted, with some crossing into Mara North Conservancy, others wandering to Talek areas and crossing to join the Loita herds in Olare Motorogi, Naboisho and Siana-Olarro Convervancies

Mid October - December

The herds move south again from Masai Mara into the eastern side of Serengeti through Loliondo Game Protected Area, wandering into NCA and heading to South Serengeti

Migration in Orbit

November, December & January, Serengeti Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

Onset of short rains. Short grass sprouts. Zebras are particularly fond of short sweet grass. Most enjoyable feeding time as grass is most nutritious.

February

• Calving season.

March

• The herds are with young ones. Each follows the mother wildebeest.

April - June

• Beginning of the rutting season. Lasts until June
• Wildebeest have begin their migration north into Moru Kopjes, then west of Seronera
• Headed to Grumeti river for the first crossing of the year
• Grumeti River is a series of pools and channels, not continuous fast flow like the Mara River
• Feast for Crocos, though not as spectactular as the crossings of the Mara River in Masai Mara, Kenya

July to October

• First crossing at Sand River
• Series of crossing near the Lookout Hill
• Series of crossing into the Paradise plains
• Movement across to Greater Mara
• Joining and interlop of Loita Plains herds