July 2018 - Wildebeest migration updates

With the current rains dropping every evening for the last few days in the Masai Mara. Part of the migrating wildebeest herds moved north-west of the Lookout Hill, while another herd is migrating in the north-east of the Lookout Hill area. 

Credit: Ranger Onesmus Ole Irungu

Serengeti North Wilderness Camp safari guide, Raymond Henry spotted the great migration crossing the Mara River at Kogatende. 

There are huge crossings currently underway at point number 4 in the Kogatende. The herds are crossing in the Northern Serengeti heading towards the Masai Mara. 

Credit: Lemala Kuria Hills Camp ranger, Frank Gabriel

Lemala Kuria Hills Camp safari guide Baraka Willium captured a huge crossing at point number 4 this morning. 

Safari guide Ian Kiwelu spotted the wildebeest migration at Kakerok in the Masai Mara during his morning game drive. 

Safari guide Mohamed Hassan captured the most recent crossing in the Mara River number 9. 

The herds are migrating in the Northern Serengeti at Kogatende, Nyamalumbwa plains heading towards the Mara River.

A large number have crossed the Mara River to Lamai Wedge - in search of green pastures and water. 

The crossing continues with huge numbers running the gauntlet of the Mara River at point number 8. 

Credit: Safari guide, Kareen Saadun

A large number of herds gathered on the Lemala Kuria Hills side to cross point number 9. The herds are heading south from the north towards the Mara Triangle. 

Credit: Safari guide, Baraka Willium

Safari guide, Onesmus Ole Irungu reported that thousands of wildebeest and zebra have started to check in the Maasai Mara from the Serengeti. 

Chaos at point number 8 with hungry crocodiles picking off wildebeest.

Safari guide, Ian Kiwelu captured a large herd of the migration crossing the Mara River. 

August is looking great for huge crossings on both sides of Mara River as the wildebeest migration arrives on the Kenyan side of the Masai Mara. 

Credit: Porini Lion Camp, safari guide Meshack Sayialel.

Safari guide Wilfred was ecstatic to witness one of the first Mara River crossings in July 2018! Between 2,000-4,000 wildebeest crossed the Mara River at Point number 8.

August is a hot and humid month as the dry season kicks into overdrive. The wildebeest herds will continue their search for lush, greener grass and by doing so, attempt to cross the dangerous, crocodile-infested water of the Mara River.

Safari guide Elia Edward was one of the first people to witness the first Mara River crossing at Point number 8. 

Safari guide, Elia Edward captured the migration during his morning game drives at Makutano, close to the Mara River. 

The Makutano area is very busy with daily crossings from point number 4 to number 9. 

Safari guide Raphael Rotiken spotted the Loita migration at Naboisho heading towards Enesikiria. 

The Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp is surrounded by huge herds all the way to the Kogatende near Kitchwa, Tembo.

Credit: Safari guide, Rick Thomas

Every year in July, the Loita migration meets up with the larger great migratory herds from the south. The Mara Plains become a crowded mass of frolicking wildebeest, all competing for the lush green vegetation. 

Safari guide, Raphael Rotiken captured the Loita migration crossing the Osupukiai River from Ol Kinyei Conservancy heading to Naboisho. 

Michael Wachira spotted a large group topi and zebra in the Talek area in the Maasai Mara during his morning game drives. 

Safari guide Elia Edward reported a small crossing at number eight and a big number around Bologonja River.

The first smaller herds of wildebeest and zebra have crossed over into the Maasai Mara whilst the majority have made it to the Northern Serengeti gathering along the river getting ready for the great crossing into the Maasai Mara. Rush hour is upon us and we can't wait!

Head guide, Mark Nicholson witnessed the migration spread out across the Sasakwa Plain during his morning game drives. 

Sasakwa is situated in the Grumeti Reserve, northern Tanzania and forms part of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem. 

The Great Migration has arrived in the Kogatende up in the Northern Serengeti, getting ready for the epic crossing over the Masai River. The herds are gathering along the river all the way to the Gardenia Valley moving into the Nyamalumbwa Plains and the Sand River - while a small group have already crossed the Sand River. 

The majority of the migration has moved through the Grumeti concession heading northeast out of the Ikorongo Reserve. However, approximately 100,000 wildebeest were seen entering the concession just downstream of the Faru Faru Lodge along the Grumeti River. 

Credit: Head guide, Mark Nicholson

First crossing of the season with a lot of wildebeest at the Sand River. 

The Sand River is located within the Masai Mara Reserve on a secluded and picturesque site. The river sits on the migration route for the millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thompson's gazelle that move between Serengeti and Maasai Mara every year.  

Safari guide Emmanuel Matari was on his game drive to see the Great Migration. He spotted the wildebeest in the Kichwa Tembo.

Huge herds are on their way to the Mara River with big numbers having crossed the Sand River this year into the Mara Reserve side. 

Safari guide Baraka Willium spotted the arrival of the migration in the Kogatende. The area is best visited during July to the end of November when the herds are in the Northern Serengeti and hopefully crossing the Mara River. 

Safari guide Emmanuel Matari came across a small number of herds during his morning game drives in the Seronera area heading towards the Kogatenda, Northern Serengeti. The guide also reported that the crossing might start in about a weeks time from now. 

Lodge Manager André Velders, was enjoying his breakfast when he saw large herds of wildebeest and zebra scattered around the lodge.

Muhammad witnessed the arrival of the wildebeest and zebra migration in the Masai Mara, Kenya around the Sand River Gate from the Serengeti in Tanzania this morning. 

Safari guide Michael Thomas spotted a new arrival in the Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. 

About 50,000 wildebeest are spread out across the Grumeti concession from the Sasakwa Plains towards the Faru Faru area. However, large herds are moving towards the east of Ikorongo reserve along the Grumeti River. 

Credit: Head guide, Mark Nicholson

30,000 wildebeest and zebra crossed the Sand River mere feet from where the guests were enjoying their bush breakfast. The unspoiled beauty and off the beaten track location of the lodge plays a big role in the sheer magic of staying in this area of the Masai Mara. 

Wes spotted the wildebeest during his morning game drive in the Raho drainage in the Grumeti Game Reserve. 

The herds were spotted by guests at the Asanja Grumeti, Nyasirori Plains. 

Migratory herds were spotted moving across the vast grasslands of the Grumeti Reserve by George Tolchard. 

Safari guide, Nathan Losaru spotted a big herd of the wildebeest and zebra roaming in the Grumeti towards the Ikorongo Game Reserve during his afternoon game drive. 

A large group of the wildebeest along with a small group of zebras were spotted one kilometres close to the lodge. The herds were heading to the Mbalageti River crossing point. 

Credit: Lodge manager, André Velders

Pieter Roodt was lucky to experience the great migration in the western corridor, while he caught up with the wildebeest in the Grumeti Reserve. 

This guide returned from his morning game drive and captured a big herd in the Musabi Plains heading towards the Grumeti Reserve. 

Michelle encountered the wildebeest migration in the Grumeti River during her afternoon game drives. The entire herd took about 1-2 minutes to cross.

Co-director, Michael Wachira was also fortunate to sight the first group of the wildebeest in the Sand River during his morning game drives.  

Freelancer safari guide Mohammed witnessed the first herd in the Sand River border.

In the next few weeks, Mara will be hosting close to two million wildebeest, zebra and antelope coming in from the Serengeti. 

July marks the start of the Mara River crossing as well as the mating season in the Serengeti. The herds are in the Grumeti Reserve, moving through the western side of the Serengeti past Fort Ikoma. However, expect dry weather throughout July. 

Safari guide, Karim Saadum captured spotted more herds in the Musabi Plains. 

The stunning Musabi Plains offer superb off the beaten path game drives. Musabi is an expansive area of plains roughly half way down the Western Corridor and is the favored breeding ground of the topi antelope. The surrounding area is covered in verdant acacia woodlands, which support a myriad of herbivores. Giraffe (the national emblem of Tanzania) dominate the woodlands as they feed exclusively on the tender leaves of acacia trees. Elephants are also found in large numbers here. 

Bonnie captured the herds roaming for grazing land in the western corridor of the Serengeti near the Grumeti River.