The great migration in Kenya: when and where to see it

In short: the great migration crosses into the Masai Mara, on the Kenyan side, mainly from July to October, with the dramatic Mara River crossings peaking between late July and early September. The rest of the year, the same herd — over 1.5 million wildebeest joined by hundreds of thousands of zebra — is on the Tanzanian side, in the Serengeti.

What "the great migration" actually means

It isn't a one-off event but a continuous cycle: herds follow the rain and fresh grass across nearly 30,000 km² spanning Kenya and Tanzania. Only between July and October does that cycle bring them into the Mara — the sole window to watch it from Kenya.

The calendar, month by month

• July: the first herds arrive gradually in the Mara from the northern Serengeti. The plains are still green from the long rains.
• August: most of the herd is now in the Mara. This is the month with the most frequent Mara River crossings — crocodiles included.
• September: crossings continue, with a record concentration of animals in the reserve. Statistically the best month to witness a river crossing.
• October: the first signs of departure appear late in the month, as rains resume further south.

Outside this window, the Masai Mara remains one of Africa's best reserves for spotting the "big five" year-round — the migration is one chapter, not the whole story.

Where to position yourself in the Mara

River crossings are never guaranteed at a fixed time — a guide who knows the ground, in daily contact with the reserve's other vehicles, makes all the difference in not missing the moment. That's exactly the approach behind our Kenya: the great migration itinerary, built around a dedicated guide and camps positioned as close as possible to the current crossing points.

Our recommendation

To maximise the odds of a river crossing, aim for late August to mid-September. For a quieter safari with fewer vehicles around, July and October remain excellent while avoiding peak crowds. Tell us your dates and we'll build the itinerary around the best window.