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The Great Migration

Author: Jo Netscher

Migration in the Masai Mara, KenyaI’ve just deal with a query regarding the wildebeest migration and whether one camp in the Masai Mara Reserve is likely to be a better place from which to view it.

The fact that the European and US school summer holidays coincide with the movement of approximately one million wildebeest and several hundred thousand zebra into the Masai Mara between mid-July and October (approximately) means many of the family safari holidays we arrange in Kenya take in this incredible spectacle.

We are often asked if there’s a particular camp in which people should stay to view the wildebeest migration. Although clients staying at Rekero Tented Camp on the Talek River have seen thousands of wildebeest cross the river in front of them during mealtimes, all of the camps in the Mara ecosystem experience the migration to a greater or lesser extent. Depending on the position of the herds you might either be in among them or the camp would arrange a full day trip with picnics to get you to a great viewing spot.

Another time of year when the wildebeest herds are fairly static is January and February. This time they are in the Ndutu region of the Serengeti National Park and across into the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, both in Tanzania. This is the calving period and inevitably that means they stay more or less where they are for a period until the calves are ready to start the migration north in search of the best grazing.

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