THE GREAT MIGRATION...tell me Dave how I can see it?
Updated: Feb 15, 2024
My three key criteria to booking a safari lodge during the Great Migration are:
Timing (July-August)
Location (inside the Masai Mara Reserve)
Game Drive (Full-day private vehicle with open-sided visibility)
Remember that....Timing, location, Game Drive. Timing, location, Game Drive.
KK, got it!
BUT WAIT: What is the Great Migration and why do I care?
During the months of June-November, an estimated 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) travel from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
This is what happens:
1. Large Herds: The massive herds of animals grazing on the open plains is a breathless sight...I've seen wildebeest herds totaling in the THOUSANDS, as far as the eye can see. And seeing it all from a hot air balloon is just an epic experience.
2. Predator Activity on Steroids: This rapid increase of animal herds inside a relatively small reserve (compared to the Serengeti) creates a massive increase in predator activity and unfair hunting advantage..a safari dream! On my very first game drive in Masai Mara I saw a family of lions attack a small herd in a way I've never seen on my prior 14 safaris in Southern Africa. Check out that entire first trip non-stop action
The predator activity alone is why I visit Masai Mara during the migration season!
On my last trip I saw 2 full hunts / kills 3 post-kills, 16 lion sightings, 4 cheetah families, 3 leopard families, etc....it was non-stop for three days 6am-6pm (Check out all my videos here)
3. River Crossings: Dubbed "The Greatest Show on Earth": There are no words that can adequately describe this wild phenomenon.
At any given moment, hundreds to tens of thousands of Wildebeest will suddenly gather in a large plain, and start galloping towards the Mara River (often kilometers away) and jump straight into a RAGING river...many dying on impact, many eaten alive by crocodiles, many drowning, and the rest barely reaching the other side. ...and occasionally lions and hyenas waiting on the other side to feast on the survivors. Cruel!
Timing: June - October. But ideally go in July/August...I say August is best!
Heres why: The first migration herds GENERALLY reach Masai Mara in late June, and the last herds depart in October. But the first herds can arrive as early as June or as late as July, and the last herds can leave as early as September or as late as November...you just wont know until you're booked and tracking the herds a few weeks prior to your arrival. So I say the BEST time to see the largest quantity of herds in Masai Mara is in August...and if you're lucky you'll catch a crossing like I did in 2021 (small crossing but I'll take it)!
AND NOW THE HARD TRUTH: You may not see ANY river crossings on your safari...Sadly, I guesstimate that at least 75% of tourists visiting July-September don't see any crossings and 50% visiting in August likely don't see a full crossing...or any at all.
Why?
Migration timing is completely unpredictable. Tourists think its 2 million animals all moving together....Well its not. It can be a large herd of 10,000 or a small herd of 50. There can be large herds on the day you arrive, and the next morning you wake up and....poof! They are gone. Moved on during the night.
Even if you get lucky and there are large herds during your visit: They can sit there for a few days grazing...or they can decide to cross but you are too far away from the lookout point to make it in time.
I've seen huge herds racing towards the river, and upon arriving just standing there for hours...and then turn around and never come back (chickens! booo!).
TIP: Want to maximize your chances? Stay at least 3 full days, and be out all day (more on that later).
Location - Choose a luxury lodge inside the National Reserve (or very close by).
If you are visiting during migration season, you will want to stay as close to the action as possible. The action is mostly inside the National Reserve near the Mara River and surrounding plains.
Look at the map below:
My general rule is to choose a luxury lodge near the following areas:
Governors/Musiara Gate - In the northwest of the reserve, you will find great lodges near the Mara River: Angama, Governors, Kichwa, Olonana, and Bateleur. Angama is arguably the most luxurious and exclusive lodge in Kenya as its located inside the Mara Triangle, on the other side of the Mara River. The Mara Triangle affords a more exclusive game drive experience as its inaccessible to most vehicles. The only downside is that Angama is actually right outside the reserve and you will not spot predators near the lodge (like in many camps). But the view is worth it!) 2. Ol Kiambo / North - This is a great central location (and my favorite!) with many great lodges. To name a few: Ishara, Emboo, Naibor, Rekero and Mara Plains. Emboo is unique as it has the only electric jeeps in Kenya! 3. Talek Gate - Near Talek (inside the reserve): JW Marriott, Basecamp, Ilkeliani. JW Marriott is a new lodge and bookable using Marriott points. 4. South - Elewena near the southern border is also a gem!
Game Drive - Choose a lodge that offers full-day private game drives and open-sided vehicles. Make sure to confirm this at booking!
The final criteria is to make sure your lodge offers game drives with three features:
Private Vehicle: Make sure your lodge offers private vehicle for game drives. Having the flexibility to choose where you want to go and what animals to find is crucial. Also, there is nothing worse then getting stuck on a vehicle in middle of the bush with the wrong people! Trust me.
Full Day Game Drives: Make sure your lodge offers full-day game drives. Not everyone can handle full day game drives 6am-6pm (especially first timers)...But heres the truth: If you want to fully maximize your chance of seeing a kill or river crossing I find this an absolute necessity. I've also found that MOST folks LOVE the full day game drives as you can travel far and explore many different areas of the reserve. I wouldn't have it any other way! TIP: If the cost is too high, try and book at least one full day game drive with a private vehicle!
Open-Sided Vehicles: Make sure your lodge uses open-sided vehicles like this:
And NOT this "pop-up" rooftop:
TIP: Confirm these three game-drive features in writing at the time of your lodge booking!
THANKS DAVE! WAIT, LAST THING...HOW DO I GET TO MASAI MARA?
You will need to fly into Nairobi Jomo Airport (Kenya Airways has a direct flight from JFK) and transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport (20 minute drive) for your charter flight to Masai Mara (1 hour). The best way is to book via your lodge, or you can book directly with the three operators: SafariLink, Governors, or Air Kenya.
FINAL TIP: If you'd like to charter a smaller plane directly from Jomo Aiport I recommend Rainbow Charters.