When is the best time to see the wildebeest migration? Witnessing this epic migration is the experience of a lifetime, and truly insane! Every year during the months of July through October, over two million animals migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya on their search for greener pastures.
Though this a yearly occurrence, the crossings are a challenge to catch, as the animals congregate by the water for days on end, cautiously searching for both real and imagined threats. They stumble their way into the water, cross halfway, then retreat for unknown reasons. But if you’re lucky…in a panicked flurry of activity, thousands of wildebeest will suddenly leap their way into the water and initiate the famed crossing!
During my trip in 2011, we were fortunate enough to see the wildebeest actually cross the Mara River, fending their way through crocodile-infested waters — not all make it out alive. This is a natural phenomenon as old as the circle of life itself, and it’s a truly humbling experience to see this awe-inspiring, massive exodus. Moreover, with global warming and climate change, animal patterns have been harder to predict.
So when is the best time to see the wildebeest migration, and how exactly to see it happen? Follow the steps below!
What is the wildebeest migration?
This is one of earth’s greatest events, and is known as the Great Migration, with over two million animals as they face off with Nile crocodiles and other dangers while crossing the Mara River.
Where does the wildebeest migration happen?
The migration primarily straddles two zones: Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
When does the wildebeest migration happen?
While the months of July through October are prime for spotting the Mara River crossing, you can chase wildebeest year-round!
December to April: Southern Serengeti
May and June: Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania and Central Serengeti
Late June to Mid-July: Northern Tanzania
Mid-July to late September: Kenya, Maasai Mara
October: Southern Maasai Mara in Kenya and Northern Tanzania
October and November: Northern Tanzania
Remember, as with all natural events, there is no way we can control them from happening. The Serengeti migration is entirely dependent upon nature and rainfall. However, you can hope that with patience, planning, and a little bit of luck, you’ll be fortunate enough to see this incredible cycle of nature!
How can I see the wildebeest migration?
Wildebeest arrive in the thousands, gathering around the Mara River and waiting to cross. As they wait anxiously, so do you!
Here are some tips for increasing your chances of seeing the crossing:
- Hire a local guide, as they will know the common spots. This is your best bet, as experienced guides can try and gauge the animals’ behavior
- Stay for at least 3 days in the area to maximize your chances! Same with seeing the northern lights, this is also a numbers game. The longer you stay, the higher the chances!
Moreover, we spotted a National Geographic truck with tons of video equipment on our trip, and followed them to where they were stationed to wait for the crossing, cameras poised and all. After 2-3 hours, the wildebeest crossed at that exact spot, and we were able to finally see it for ourselves!
Of course, if you don’t see the migration, being on safari in Africa still offers limitless things to see and do. Take a look at my upcoming list: Spotting the Big 5 in Kenya & Tanzania.
Where do I stay?
Depending on your budget, safari in Africa offers a variety of accommodations. From luxury tent resorts to camping under the stars, there are options for everyone.
Photography of the wildebeest migration
I promise, you’re going to want to bring out the big guns for this event! I owe it to this experience for inspiring me to really get into photography. The pure scale alone is overwhelming and truly incredible.
You’ll want a strong combination of a powerful camera body, and lenses that are fast and have great zoom capacity. I recommend the following:
Cameras:
Lenses:
- Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM – my go to walkaround lens
- Canon 70-200mm f/4 – a versatile zoom lens
- Canon 300mm f/4 – a powerful prime lens that’s great for getting close to faraway wildlife
- Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM – for those gorgeous orange African sunsets, this is a wonderful landscape lens that gives a little more flexibility in framing, while still having great aperture capability
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens – a great quality zoom lens, with great aperture capabilities
- Sony FE 70-300mm SEL70300G F4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens – to get even closer to the animals!
- Sony 24-70mm f/4 – an extremely versatile, wonderful walkaround lens
- Sony 35mm f/2.8 – a SUPER compact, almost pancake-style lens that produces beautiful images
- Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens – a favorite of Sony alpha shooters, this is a gorgeous wide angle lens
- Moment Lenses – terrific for iPhone photographers
Tripod
- A light carbon fiber tripod like the Gitzo GT1542T for mobility
- A heavier tripod (e.g. the Manfrotto 055XPROB) will provide stability especially during windy days. Comes in handy when shooting the northern lights, as you don’t want any shake during those 30-45 second long exposures!
- A light JOBY GorillaPod for attaching my camera to weird set ups — branches, trees, etc.!
Filters
Drones
Camera Bags
- ONA Bowery Bag — a stylish, practical messenger bag that’s perfect for a city trip! Fits a DSLR camera + 1 lens or other goodies
- f-stop Camera Bags — these are hands-down my favorite camera bags for intense trips, with a convertible internal packing system. They are super light, durable, and built for hardcore photographers
Software
If you want to learn more, read my upcoming guide on what photography gear to bring on safari!
Read more:
- On Safari: What Photography Gear Should I Bring? (coming soon)
- Spotting the Big 5 in Kenya and Tanzania (coming soon)
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Been on safari? Let me know about your experience, and if you have any tips!
Nice shot Pier. I do love all of your photos.
Thanks so much, Annika! ?
This sounds like it was such an amazing experience. I am loving all the photos. Such energy drawn from them all. Like I was right there in the midst of it all.
Witnessing the wildebeest migration does seems like the experience of a lifetime! I’m such a huge animal lover and would love to be able to see and study them in their natural habitations.
Your photos are amazing! I would love to visit Kenya and see the wildebeest migration. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
WOW, looks like an amazing experience. I have always wanted to go on one of these experiences, but have not yet, but maybe someday. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you!
The pictures take us right to them! That’s awesome. In Virginia, they have something similar in Chincoteague in moving horses 🙂 Great pictures!
Wow! What an amazing part of nature. Your photography is amazing as always, thank you for sharing this with us!
That has got to be such an awesome sight to witness firsthand! I love all of the photos. It truly is amazing how they know the exact time and place when they’re supposed to migrate!
That was an epic experience for you! I have not gone on a safari tour but I wish I could someday. Your photos are amazing!
Witnessing mother nature in action can be truly awe-inspiring. These are truly beautiful pictures. It must have been amazing to see this in person.
I can’t even imagine what it is like to see this in person. Your pictures make me feel like I am standing right there.
These are absolutely awesome pictures. That must’ve been a trip of a lifetime to see this! I don’t know how well I would do with it myself because I cannot stand watching animals eat other animals even though I know that it’s natures way. I must be just a little sensitive about it.
My husband wants to visit Tanzania and see a migration like this. It definitely sounds like the experience of a lifetime.
What an amazing thing to be able to witness. That is wonderfully breathtaking for sure …. wow.
It’s amazing that these animals go on such a dangerous trip around Africa. I would absolutely love to see them.
What an amazing experience for you to have been a part of. Migration is such a interesting part of how animals adapt and survive.
this is absolutely amazing and what a awesome thing to see in person! your photos are stunning!
Gorgeous images. I have not been on a safari – I’m not a fan of bugs and dirt, so this would not be a trip for me – but just beautiful images so I can live vicariously through you!
Your photos are amazing! What a wonderful experience. I shared the photos with my daughter and she loved them too.
Wow.. All these photos you shared are amazing! I would love to go there one day!