The great wildebeest migration in Kenya: dates, the Mara crossing and where to see it
Every year, more than a million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, travel a circle through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystem, following the rains and the fresh grass. On the Kenyan side the great moment is the crossing of the Mara River, where the herds throw themselves into the water under the threat of crocodiles. It is a spontaneous spectacle, not a scheduled event: nobody can guarantee a precise day or place. The herds reach the Mara from July, crossings generally concentrate in August and September, and the migration heads back to the Serengeti in October-November.
Highlights
The Mara crossing
The wildebeest mass on the bank, sometimes hesitate for hours, then plunge all at once. The best-known crossing points are in the reserve and on the Mara Triangle banks; your guide picks a spot depending on where the herds are that day.
The herds on the plains
Even on a day without a crossing, seeing tens of thousands of wildebeest cover the savannah is impressive; zebras and gazelles mingle with the herds, and lions, hyenas and cheetahs follow them.
The forecasts
For 2026 some operators published a likely crossing window between 10 August and 20 September, with the big herds settled from the third week of July; these are commercial estimates, not guarantees. Dates vary with the rains and the river level.
The other highlights
In January-March, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calve in the southern Serengeti (in Tanzania); the Mara therefore hosts the migration only from about July to October.
Practical info
Tips
- Allow at least 3 nights on site for a reasonable chance of seeing a crossing, and book lodges several months ahead: July to September is the most expensive season. Agencies and lodges publish recent reports on the herds' position; ask for them before you leave. Crossings often happen around midday: accept a long wait at the riverside and keep water, a hat and a snack. Park entry fees are higher from July to December (see the Masai Mara reserve). To plan the trip, read the best time for a safari, a safari to the Masai Mara from Nairobi and a 3-day safari. Keep a good distance from the banks: you never get out of the vehicle near the river.
How to get there
From Nairobi, 5 to 6 hours by road (240 to 270 km) or about 45 minutes by light aircraft to the Mara; staying in a lodge or camp near the river avoids long drives on the same day.
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