Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari - Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration Firsthand

The great wildebeest migration

If you are an African safari enthusiast, then the great wildebeest migration is an event that perhaps needs no introduction. This annual phenomenon occurs in the grassy plains of Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya and Serengeti national park in Tanzania and is undoubtedly the main attraction of a Masai Mara safari. The event is so exhilarating that it has been dubbed the greatest wildlife spectacle in the world, and also one of the most spectacular natural events. Every year, around the months of July to November, an approximated 2 million wildebeest and zebras cross from Serengeti into the Mara in search of greener pastures owing to weather season changes.

During the migration, African lions and numerous other predators like cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and jackals follow the herbivores closely, waiting for a chance to strike the weak and tired prey, leading to many dramatic events during the migration. It is not always possible to precisely predict when the migration will take place as its timing varies every year. However, June through August is often the best period to observe the migration when the wildebeest assemble in preparation to cross the Grumeti River. At times, they arrive in Maasai Mara as early as July. Most other times, the usual arrival time is between August and September after which the animals remain in the Mara till November before gradually beginning their journey back to Serengeti between December and January.

Masai Mara Safari

Many visitors prefer to organize their Kenya safari to coincide with the wildebeest migration in Masai Mara. However, the wildlife reserve remains a great destination any time of the year, with a very high density of African animal species and bird life. Very few other African game parks and reserves can rival the game watching experience tourists get at the Mara.

The name Mara, meaning "spotted" in the Maasai language, relates to the park's landscape, patched with acacia and thorn bushes.

Getting to Masai Mara

Masai Mara is situated about 168 miles from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. You can travel to Masai Mara both by road and flights. With a good four-by-four (4x4 vehicle), you'll take about 6 hours from Nairobi owing to the rough roads. During the rainy season (mostly April to May), road trips are not very advisable since the roads become almost impassable.

Many visitors who want to avoid the rough roads opt to take flights to Masai Mara during a tour to the reserve. Unfortunately, this means the safari becomes more expensive and the traveler misses out on some of the thrill of traveling in African bush country. There are several airlines offering daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to the Mara - a 45 minutes flight.

Serengeti Safari

Like the Masai Mara, Serengeti national park boasts an abundant population of wildlife and is an excellent game viewing safari all year round. The name Serengeti comes from the Masai word "Siringit" meaning unending plains - aptly describing the open grassy plains that make up the national park. Serengeti remains one of the top safari destinations in Tanzania travel, alongside Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous game reserve, and Lake Manyara national park.

Getting to Serengeti

Serengeti is accessible both by flight and by road. There are quite a number of travel agencies and tour operators in Tanzania that provide air safari packages from Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha to Serengeti. International travelers may also arrive through Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, then connecting to Serengeti by road or air. This option is popular as it gives you a chance to tour both Masai Mara and Serengeti.