A lot of people ask me about the Great Migration. What is it? Where does it happen? And why is it such a big deal? Here I blast some myths and give you the facts.

What and Where?

The Great Migration describes the natural event where approximately 2.2 million wildebeest and zebra move around the Masai Mara (Kenya) and the Serengeti (Tanzania) usually in a clockwise direction over the course of the year.

Why?

They are moving in the search of fresh grass and most years tend to follow a very similar route. Some areas are better for grazing when they are giving birth and have young babies. As these grasses die back the animals move north in search of fresh grasses.  

When?

It is vital to recognise that the migration is a natural phenomenon and can be affected by rain, storms, the moon and the mood of the animals. The reality is that we have no control of the when, but can put you in the spot that has historically yielded the best viewing. 

January – March : Southern Serengeti 
At this time of year the wildebeest and zebra tend to congregate around the plains in the south of the Serengeti in Tanzania. The grass is very short which means that they can see predators that lie in wait for the vulnerable calves. Mwiba Lodge is a good lodge to consider at this time of year, it has a great location in the southern part of the Serengeti. Sanctuary's Kusini Camp is also ideally placed in the southern sector.  

April – June : Western Grumeti Corridor
The herds are starting to move north and north west. The grasses in the south have been annihilated and eaten, and the rains lead the herds north/northwest. At this time of year we’d be heading to the Grumeti River area for great game viewing. &beyond Grumeti is perfectly poised for game viewing. Singita Grumeti has a number of camps perfectly located at this time of year. This is the time of a lot of river crossings.

July – October : Masai Mara 
The herds are heading into the Masai Mara. In July they are usually right on the border of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara and lodges in the northern Kogatende area of the Serengeti in Tanzania have a great ringside seat. We recommend Singita Mara River, Nomad Lamai and Lemala Kuria Hills. 

By August we can usually predict that the migration will be in the Masai Mara. Here again any camp in the Masai Mara has as good a chance as any of seeing the migration. Camps by the river such as Governors Camp  and Sanctuary Olonana are perfectly located to see the river crossings. If you are staying in a camp in a private conservancy just outside the Mara we would usually include a day trip in the Mara itself for the purposes of trying to see a huge congregation of animals.

The migration tends to exit the Mara in its south east corner and Cottars 1920’s Camp and their private concession means that for a certain period of time you almost have the migration to yourself as it returns to the Serengeti in September/October.

Oct – December : Serengeti Central 
The migration is returning south, heading to the Serengeti's southern plains, in anticipation of having babies. They travel quite quickly through this part of the Serengeti. andBeyond Kleins Camp in the north eastern part of the Serengeti is usually the first to see the migration returning through its valleys, before the herds reach the central Serengeti and the Four Seasons Serengeti area. 

Knighton Reeve's Top Tips for witnessing the Great Migration

If seeing the migration is high on your list, it is important that you stay in the right area at the right time. Mobile Camps such as andBeyond Serengeti under Canvas are a perfect way of increasing your chances, as these camps focus on seeing the migration and move up to 4 - 5 times a year to get the best position depending on where the migration is.

Combine a couple of camps in different locations in order to increase your chances of seeing the migration, especially on months where their location is a little uncertain. Scheduled charter flights connecting the Northern Serengeti with the Masai Mara without travelling back through Nairobi and Kilimanjaro are key to making this work.  

Plan well ahead of time! You are not the first to watch the migration documentary and therefore if you want to be in the right area at the right time, it is crucial that you plan well ahead of time.

Beware of camps offering free nights, long stay discounts and free flights. These are great, but chances are it isn’t during Migration time in that particular area.

Dispelling some common myths

The Great Migration is an amazing experience, however it is not the be all and end all of a safari in East Africa. Only the wildebeest and zebra do the migrating so when they've moved on, there is still a healthy resident population of wildlife to be seen.

Is it gruesome? Yes – it can be. When I witnessed a river crossing in the Masai Mara for the first time it was a very emotional experience. 2 years ago on a visit to East Africa I was lucky enough to experience the migration in the southern plains of the Serengeti, it was equally as emotional.