When is the masai mara great migration

No one knows the Mara like the Maasai and as true nature specialists, guests are guaranteed a unique experience during this period. Close search. Best time to see the Migration? Visitors typically head here to witness the majestic, natural phenomenon of the wildebeest migration on safari between July and October. According to Africa. The trek is particularly hard, and more than , wildebeest to begin the journey do not make it to the end every year, according to LiveScience.

The Great Migration is triggered by the dry season, which can run from any time between June and October. The best time to visit the Masai Mara for this world-famous spectacle is from about August to November. Although, due to varying rainfall patterns, the exact timing varies from year to year.

Some years, the rains might be early and the herds will arrive and depart sooner. November's short summer rains trigger the last leg of the Migration, when the wildebeest move south to their Serengeti calving grounds. Note: the above are approximate dates only. The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the Mara River crossings cannot be predicted, although they generally occur from about May to August.

Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day. The long rains , as the name suggests, are far heavier, and a few lodges and camps may close over this period to attend to general maintenance and refurbs, and to give their staff a long and well-deserved break.

Around late January or February , the herds occupy the short-grass plains that spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and around Olduvai Gorge.

Some , calves are born here within a period of two to three weeks, or nearly 8, new calves every day. The abundance of vulnerable young calves means the surrounding predators also spring into action, hunting with ease due to the sheer numbers of wildebeest.

Those interested in witnessing calving and the drama of big cats on the hunt should look to Asilia's migration camps in the southern Serengeti which provide direct access: Olakira , Kimondo and Ubuntu.

After bearing their young in February and March, around April the wildebeest herds begin to drift northwest toward the fresher grass of the central Serengeti, drawing with them thousands of zebra and smaller groups of antelope. By May, columns of wildebeest stretch for several kilometres as the animals start to congregate by the Moru Kopjes, close to Dunia Camp , one of the few camps in the Serengeti that offers migration viewing at this time of year. Mating season begins toward the end of May and male wildebeest battle head-to-head.

Throughout 'the rut,' the journey continues at leisure with the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle grazing as they go along. At this time of year , Ubuntu Migration Camp will have relocated to follow the migration and provide access to watch the wildebeest cross the Grumeti River.

The herds form in huge numbers along the pools and channels of the river, which they have to cross in order to continue on their journey. This may not be as spectacular as the famous Mara crossings, but there are still enough wildebeest to provide the Grumeti crocs with a veritable feast. It is worth noting that May is low season at Ubuntu. Safaris at this time offer great value since there are relatively low numbers of tourists in the Serengeti, yet the wildlife viewings remain excellent.

During June, the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river — the first of many daunting and tense river encounters. As June moves into July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier: the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti.

These river crossings are arguably one of the most exciting wildlife events on Earth. They usually begin at the onset of high season in July, but timing all depends on nature.

The herds will typically be found in the Northern Serengeti in the month of July, where access is provided by Asilia's mobile migration camps as well as Sayari Camp for those looking to indulge just a little bit more.

Later in July, those animals that have successfully made it across the Mara River will also be found in the Masai Mara , where guests of Rekero Camp can watch river crossings right from the main deck of the camp on their Kenyan safari. At this time, daily river crossings can be seen at the Mara and Talek rivers, both often central to incredible scenes. By August, the herds have faced the challenge of crossing the Mara River and are spread throughout the Masai Mara's northern region, with many remaining in the northern Serengeti.

In years when the river is in full flow, the panic and confusion at the crossings — combined with waiting predators and surging currents — can cause massive loss of life. But, even in years of relatively gently flowing water, the crocs take their toll, not to mention the lions and other large predators that patrol the banks, ready to ambush any wildebeest that make it to the other side.

There is no single crossing: at some spots, there are just a few individuals, while others see a mass of animals moving without break for hours. By September to October, the main chaos has ended and the migrating columns have gradually moved eastward.