The Great Migration

Each year around 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 400,000 gazelle move north from the Serengeti into the Maasai Mara, following the rains and the grass. The herds typically arrive in Kenya in July and remain until October, crossing the Mara River at points that shift daily with water levels and predator pressure.

A river crossing is a genuine event. Thousands of animals gather on the bank, hesitate, and then commit, plunging into water that may hold crocodiles, while lions and hyena wait on the far side. No operator can guarantee a crossing on a given date, which is why we recommend a minimum of four nights in the Mara during migration season, and why we place guests in camps with good access to several crossing points.

Even away from the river, the migration transforms the Mara. The plains fill with animals, predator activity increases sharply, and the resident game is joined by vast herds stretching to the horizon.

We track herd movements through our guides on the ground, and we are honest with guests about what is realistic in their chosen window. If the timing is marginal, we will say so and suggest an alternative, usually a conservancy stay with better general game viewing.