• By: admin
• Oct 05, 2026
• (0) Comments

Over 1.5 million wildebeest. One river full of crocodiles. And the last crossings of the year are happening right now.

The Great Migration is the biggest movement of land animals on the planet. If you’ve ever watched a wildlife documentary and seen wildebeest leaping off a riverbank, that was almost certainly the Mara River in Kenya.

What is the Great Migration?

Every year, more than 1.5 million wildebeest, along with up to 400,000 zebra and hundreds of thousands of gazelle, walk a giant loop of about 3,000 km between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

They aren’t travelling for fun. They’re following the rain and the fresh grass that comes with it. Where the grass goes, the herds go. And where the herds go, the lions, cheetahs, hyenas and crocodiles follow.

The famous river crossings

To get into the Mara, the herds have to cross rivers. The small ones are easy. The Mara River is not. It has steep banks, strong currents and some very large Nile crocodiles waiting below.

Thousands of animals gather on the bank, sometimes for hours. Then one jumps, and the rest follow in a rush of dust, water and noise. It’s chaotic, dramatic and unforgettable.

When to go

• Mid-July: the herds start arriving at the Mara River.
• August: the busiest month for crossings.
• September: still excellent.
• October: crossings become less frequent as the herds start drifting south.
• Around November: the short rains begin in Tanzania and the herds walk back to the Serengeti.

So if you’re reading this in October, you’re watching the end of this year’s show. The good news? It starts again next July.

How to get there

Fly into Nairobi. From there, most visitors take a small plane from Wilson Airport straight to an airstrip inside the reserve, which takes around an hour. You can also drive, but it’s a long, bumpy day on the road.

From Doha and Dubai, Nairobi is an easy flight, which makes a Mara safari a realistic long weekend plus a few days.

Tips for your safari

• Book early. Camps near the river fill up months ahead for July to September.
• Be patient at the river. Herds can wait for hours before crossing, or turn around completely.
• Wear neutral colours. Khaki, beige and green. Avoid bright colours that stand out.
• Bring binoculars. Some of the best moments happen far away.
• Respect the animals. Good guides keep their distance and never block a crossing point.

Quick facts

• Wildebeest calves can stand within minutes of being born.
• The Maasai Mara is named after the Maasai people and the Mara River.
• The loop has no real start or end. It’s a cycle that repeats every year.

Plan it in 3 steps

1. Pick your month. August for the most crossings, September for a little more space, October if you’re happy with fewer crossings and lower prices.
2. Choose your camp location. Camps near the Mara River put you closest to the action. Conservancies just outside the main reserve offer fewer vehicles, walking safaris and night drives.
3. Book 3 nights or more. Crossings are unpredictable. Extra days mean more chances, and you’ll also see lions, elephants, giraffes and the daily life of the plains.

Budget tip: shoulder months like early July and late October can be cheaper, and you’ll still see huge herds on the plains even when crossings are quiet.

Your challenge

About how many wildebeest take part in the Great Migration? 15,000, 150,000, over 1.5 million, or 15 million? Comment your guess on my post at @explor_shan.

Then try the AI prompt challenge from the same post and show me your river crossing.

FAQ

Is the Great Migration in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both. The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania’s Serengeti and move into Kenya’s Maasai Mara from around July to October.

Can I guarantee seeing a river crossing?
No. Crossings depend on the herds’ mood and the weather. Staying three or more days during August or September gives you the best chance.

Is it safe?
Yes, when you go with licensed guides and follow their rules. You stay in the vehicle around animals.

Tag your safari partner and save this for next July.

Explore with me every day. Follow @explor_shan on Instagram for the daily challenge, and comment EXPLORE on any post to get the guide in your DMs.