The Great Migration in Kenya | 3 Questions You're Asking
Every year, the great migration of wildebeest and zebras traces a loop between Tanzania and Kenya.
Every year, the great wildebeest migration and zebras trace a loop between Tanzania and Kenya. Starting from the Serengeti plains toward the Masai Mara National Reserve, these mammals move in massive numbers in search of water and food. This annual journey is the perfect opportunity to go on a safari, and admire other animal species! Want to learn more about the great migration in Kenya? Let's take a closer look at this natural phenomenon.
1 – What is the great animal migration?
Nature offers us an exceptional spectacle every day. Among its remarkable events, the great migration of East Africa remains an impressive phenomenon. Each year, this long journey involves nearly two million animals! So many creatures move en masse because they are all seeking greener pastures where they can drink and feed. Other factors, such as breeding and birthing seasons, also drive this migratory flow.
Guided by the rainy season, numerous species move between the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the Masai Mara savanna, located in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. These two East African countries are renowned for their vast wilderness regions: the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve are indeed considered among the world's largest wildlife conservation areas!
Contrary to popular belief, this great phenomenon is not confined to a single period. Rather, it spans several seasonal cycles. In fact, there is no true departure or arrival point—only a perpetual flow. Each year, animals travel nearly 1,900 kilometers!
2 – What animals can you see at Masai Mara?
The mammals of the great migration
Wildebeest: a central figure of the great migration, the wildebeest is an imposing animal that can measure up to 2.40 meters in length and weigh 290 kilos. Despite these dimensions, it can run 65 km/h on average and reach speeds of up to 100 km/h in short bursts! Rather sedentary by nature, it won't hesitate to travel thousands of kilometers when food becomes scarce.
Zebras: a member of the equine family, this mammal is known for its pale coat striped with black. These stripes are believed to be a natural protection that allows it to withstand Africa's sun. While its size varies by species, it averages 1.25 meters and can gallop up to 80 km/h when in danger.
Gazelles: this ruminant from the antelope family is known for running at extremely high speeds, sometimes in zigzag patterns—a technique used to escape the cheetah, the fastest of all carnivores. To shake them off? The gazelle can also leap two meters at a time! If in a playful mood, you might see them perform pronking (leaping vertically with stiff legs).
The wildlife of the national reserve
Crocodiles: while they don't directly participate in the great migration, these immense reptiles are nonetheless central to the phenomenon. Why? During their journey, the animals inevitably cross paths with them as they traverse the Mara and Talek rivers in Kenya.
The Big Five: Masai Mara is one of the rare African places where it's possible to see the buffalo, elephant, leopard, and rhinoceros during a single safari! A secret? Giraffes also inhabit these wild lands.
Birds: with over 500 species recorded on its lands, the national reserve is one of Africa's finest ornithological sites. During your journey, you may spot the Fish Eagle, the Spoonbill, and the Egyptian Goose, among others!
3 – When to see the great migration in Kenya?
During the great migration, animals move clockwise. After traversing the center and west of the Serengeti, they reach Masai Mara between July and August—before dispersing as they head back starting in late October.
During their passage through Kenya, the animals cross several stages. The crossing of the Mara River is their final hurdle before reaching verdant pastures, as they must face the voraciousness of crocodiles…
This confrontation is sometimes deemed too violent by visitors witnessing the scene, yet it remains a moment dictated by the laws of nature! According to Masai Mara National Reserve, mid-July through late August is the best period to witness the great migration.
Frequently asked questions
The best time to witness the great migration in Kenya is mid-July through late August, according to Masai Mara National Reserve. This is when wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River, offering the most spectacular display. The animals typically arrive between July and August, before dispersing back to Tanzania starting in late October.
Each year, approximately two million animals participate in the great migration of East Africa. Among them are primarily wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, which travel nearly 1,900 kilometers between the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
Yes! Masai Mara is one of the rare places in Africa where it's possible to observe the Big Five—the buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhinoceros—during a single safari. The reserve is also home to giraffes and over 500 bird species, offering exceptional biodiversity.
Wildebeest migrate primarily in search of greener pastures, water, and food, guided by the rainy season. Biological factors such as breeding and birthing seasons also influence this migratory flow. This cycle repeats each year with no true starting or ending point, in perpetual movement along a route of approximately 1,900 km.
The crossing of the Mara River is one of the most spectacular—and most perilous—moments of the great migration. Wildebeest and zebras must face the Nile crocodiles that inhabit the river. While this confrontation may appear violent, it is part of the natural laws governing the Masai Mara ecosystem.
The great migration follows a circuit between Tanzania (Serengeti) and Kenya (Masai Mara). To see the famous Mara River crossing, Kenya is the best choice, particularly between July and August. In Tanzania, you can observe the calving season (January-February) and herds on the vast Serengeti plains. Your choice therefore depends on the time of year and the type of spectacle you're seeking.
