Follow one of Africa’s great wildlife spectacles as wildebeest and zebra move through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, with Mara River crossings possible but never guaranteed.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a seasonal wildlife movement through the wider Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, involving large herds of wildebeest and zebra together with predators and other plains wildlife. In Kenya, the experience centres on the Masai Mara National Reserve and adjoining Mara landscapes.
This is not a single event with a fixed date. Herd location changes with rainfall, grazing and river conditions. Mara Conservancy advises that migration activity in the Mara commonly begins around June or July and can continue into November. River crossings may happen during this period, but they are difficult to predict and can never be scheduled.
A well-planned migration safari therefore focuses on time in the ecosystem rather than promising one dramatic crossing. Multiple game drives create opportunities to photograph massed herds, predator-prey interactions, calves, dust, river landscapes and the wider seasonal ecology.
Greatlink Safaris can build the migration into a private road safari, fly-in safari or photography-focused itinerary. Accommodation is selected according to the part of the Mara you want to explore, your travel dates and the balance you prefer between game-drive access and camp comfort.
For current responsible-viewing guidance, see the Mara Conservancy migration guidance.
Timing: migration activity in the Mara usually begins around June or July and may continue into November, but rainfall can shift the pattern.
Crossings: no operator can guarantee a river crossing. Herds may gather at the river and turn away, cross elsewhere or move on without crossing.
Responsible viewing: vehicles must not block, pressure or chase herds toward a crossing point. Guests remain inside the vehicle except at authorised areas.
Photography: bring a telephoto lens plus a wider lens for large herds and landscapes. Dust protection is useful during dry periods.
Best planning approach: allow more than one game drive in the Mara and choose accommodation with sensible access to the likely seasonal wildlife areas.
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