Wildebeest Migration Facts, Route (Updated Month by Month)

Great Wildebeest Migration Kenya

While moving the herds separate into 3 groups and each group has different grass-eating habits, the first group eats the top of the tallest grass, the second group eats away the medium–height grass, and the last group eats the remaining grass, and when the grass is completely eaten they move on.  Up to today, it is very unclear how the wildebeests know the right way to go but it’s believed their journey is dictated by the response of the migrating herds to weather (the herds follow the rains and the growth of new grass).  Though there is no solid proof, some scientists believe the animals’ movement is due to their reaction to the lightning and thunderstorms in a distance. It has also been suggested that the wildebeests can locate the rain more than 50 kilometers away.

Wildebeest migration in Kenya takes place in Masai Mara national reserve the most safari wildlife destination in Kenya, covering an area of 1,510 square meters Maasai Mara national reserve is located in the Rift Valley Province near Narok Town

Wildebeest Migration Kenya

Before crossing, the migrating herds arrive in the areas of Mara River in Tanzania side which is the northern region of Serengeti national park in the middle of June and this is said to be the second-largest concentration of the migration. While crossing it is believed that a quarter of the total animals participating in the wildebeest migration across the Mara river to enter Maasai Mara national reserve and others stay in Serengeti national park, but again they also later cross the river multiple times though their crossing is not as deadly as the first crossing.

The migration stays in Kenya’s wildebeest migration until November when the herds move southwards to the Ndutu plains.

Best Time to witness the Wildebeest Migration in Kenya

Wildebeest migration in Kenya is best witnessed from July to October, this period is the peak season for wildebeest migration safaris in Kenya as it is the period when the dramatic river crossing takes place as millions of wildebeests, hundreds of zebras, and grant’s gazelles cross from Serengeti national park to Maasai Mara national reserve.

In this period you will watch the most dangerous and dramatic season of the wildebeest migration as the migrating herd’s faceoff with crocodiles in the Mara River and predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs on the banks of the river waiting to feast on the herds (wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles).

Once the herds reach the plains of Maasai Mara national reserve scatter to various regions of the reserve looking for green pastures to feed on an ad in October the herds make their way back south to Serengeti national park once the grasses in Maasai Mara national reserve are depleted.

Wildebeest crossings, River Mara, Northern Serengeti

Where to stay in Kenya during the wildebeest migration

While on wildebeest migration in Kenya there are a number of permanent and seasonal lodges you can get to stay at and these include Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Kichwa Tembo Camp, Kicheche Mara Camp, Little Governor’s camp, Keekorok Lodge,