February Is The Best Time To See The Great Migration, Here Is Why

Every year, travelers flock to Kenya in July and August, hoping to witness the iconic Great Migration when over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles and other antelope species migrate between the southern Serengeti and Maasai Mara, chasing fresh grazing land.

However, Maasai Mara National Reserve is overwhelmed during these months, receiving double the park’s intended capacity. This often leads to overcrowded game drives, stressed wildlife, and a far less exclusive safari experience than you may have wanted.

David Guthrie, founder of the eco-conscious safari company A Tent With A View, says, “It is dreadful to witness. Hundreds of safari vehicles swarm the Mara River, all competing for the best view of the animals. Some even encroach on the animals’ path, blocking them as they prepare to make the dangerous crossing. And many don’t survive the leap.”

While many consider the river crossing season the most thrilling part of the Great Migration, Guthrie sees them as a symbol of unsustainable and unethical tourism. “The Great Migration is a year-round phenomenon, and there is a much more incredible – and ethical – time to witness it,” he says.

And he is not alone. Many travel experts agree that there is a better, more responsible way to experience the Maasai Mara and see its wildlife in abundance.

Overtourism Is Palpable, But Maasai Mara National Reserve Is Fighting Back

With overcrowding threatening both wildlife and visitor experience, authorities at Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) have already implemented several measures beyond on-the-spot fines.

In June 2024, the Reserve prohibited private vehicles from entering its boundaries. Now, it only permits authorized safari vehicles.

As of July 2024, entry fees of MMNR for non-resident visitors were significantly raised from $80 for a 24-hour ticket to $200 for a 12-hour ticket and $400 for a 24-hour ticket. Keeping the fees for other parks (Ambroseli, Nairobi, Lake Nakuru and Tsavo East/West National Parks) low to hopefully divert traffic there.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has already hinted at future plans in its Tourism Strategy 2021-2025, including digital ticketing, mandatory advanced booking and a daily cap on visitor numbers.

“More needs to be done to ensure crossing points are not obstructed. The tourist experience should never trump the well-being of wildlife – and in fact, overcrowding will only diminish the tourist experience. When wildlife is respected, with the space to roam and behave naturally, everyone wins,” says Justin Frances, co-founder of Responsible Travel.

But what can travelers do in the meantime? When is the best time to visit Kenya to avoid the crowds and minimize disruption to wildlife?

Why Calving Season Is An Untapped Opportunity To See Massive Herds With Fewer Crowds And Lower Costs

The travel experts I interviewed agreed that calving season is the best time to witness the Great Migration.

The migrating herds are in the Southern Serengeti from December to March. But February is when over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born within a matter of weeks, along with all other species of the Serengeti.

“The sight of all baby animals, and how they play and their protective mothers care for them, makes this a magical time to visit,” says Guthrie.

When there are so many calves, predators will follow, making February also the best time to see the famous predators of Africa, lions, leopards and cheetahs, in action. They take advantage of the easy hunting opportunities and frequently chase and feed on the newborns.

It is an untapped opportunity since the visitor numbers are the lowest in January and February, along with low prices.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris Are The Ultimate Nondistruptive Way To Witness The Herds

If you are still looking to go during summer, hot air balloon safaris can provide a unique and non-intrusive perspective to observe the migration from above without causing any disturbance.

Jackson Looseiya grew up in Maasai Mara and became one of the first Maasai safari guides in the 1980s. He is now a private guide and one of the few Black Kenyan safari camp owners.

He had the pleasure to join many balloon rides, both in calving season and migration season across Kenya and Tanzania. He described it as “Flying above the wildlife, so silently, truly shows the majesty of this landscape.”

Hot balloon rides usually last an hour and available throughout the year. They are usually combined with a bush meat meal and a game ride in the drop-off area.

Mobile Safaris Offer A Front-Row Seat to Africa’s Wildlife

Multiple travel experts, like Zarek Cockar, a private guide from Kenya, point to an often-overlooked alternative: mobile safaris, offering a more immersive experience than the classic setup of staying in a luxury lodge and taking daily game drives.

A mobile safari is a tented camp mounted on a jeep, allowing it to move freely, even in remote areas. Camps relocate as needed, keeping travelers close to the wildlife while avoiding overtourism.

A guest at A Tent With A View shared that they parked wherever wildlife sightings were best. With the camp moving throughout their trip, every stay guaranteed prime views and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Another raved about how incredible it was to watch the animals from their private balcony without any distruption.

Jean du Plessis, managing director at Wilderness Tanzania, also recommends choosing a mobile safari. But, he also highlights the advantages of traveling during September and October instead of the summer months.

Northern Serengeti is at its most scenic during this time of the year. It is greener, less crowded, and still teeming with migrating herds. He emphasizes that the migration doesn’t end in summer, with wildlife crossings continuing well into the fall.

Beyond The Mara River, There Are Alternative Places To See Migrations

The Mara River crossing isn’t the only place to witness massive migrating herds. Travel experts highlight several alternative locations that offer equally spectacular sightings without the crowds. Your next African adventure might just be in a place you have not expected.

If you want to focus on Tanzania, Francis from Responsible Travel recommends traveling to the Grumeti River Game Reserve. As the long rains fade in May, herds push north through central Serengeti to reach the river by June. It is a prime time to see the migration in motion.

In Kenya, the Loita wildebeest herds migrate separately, mingling with the Serengeti herds in the Maasai Mara from July to September. Outside peak season, they roam the Loita Hills and conservancies from October to June, offering unique migration sightings year-round, says Jamie Mehrotra, global head of sales at Extraordinary Journeys.

For a lesser-known spectacle, Liuwa Plains in Zambia hosts a smaller wildebeest migration, best seen from October to December, peaking in late November, says Pearl Jurist Schoen, head of sales Africa at Extraordinary Journeys.

In Botswana, zebras migrate from the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi Pans from November to March, then return by April, along with another herd that moves from the Chobe River to Nxai Pan between December and March, says Schoen.

Don’t Be That Tourist

Don’t be a tourist who contributes to overtourism and disrupts wildlife for the sake of a photo. Choose ethical wildlife viewing options that prioritize conservation, respect animal behavior, and support sustainable tourism. From mobile safaris to off-season travel, there are ways to witness the Great Migration without adding to the problem.