Wildebeest Migration – Where to Watch it?

The wildebeest migration actually occurs right throughout the year and is all related to water – whether the rains come early or not, governs the movement of the wildebeest and zebra in their quest for water.

Wildebeest migration Serengeti with AfricanExplorations.com

As a very general rule, the ungulates move south from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the Grumeti region which is the western corridor of the Serengeti in Tanzania and south to the Ndutu region in southern Serengeti and then back up to the Masai Mara in Kenya.  July is always a great month to see the migration, whether one is either in Kenya or in northern  Serengeti. August and September are fabulous months for seeing the wildebeest in the Masai Mara, right through to mid October, whilst June is an excellent month to see them in the western Serengeti and January through to the beginning of March is a wonderful time to watch them calving in the short grass plains region of the southern Serengeti.

Wildebeest Migration Serengeti with AfricanExplorations.com

Both Tanzania and Kenya offer equally good viewings, but they are different experiences. Is one after the much publicised crossings over the Mara River in Kenya, where the crocodiles lie in wait, or does one want to wake up and look out over the Serengeti plains and see two million wildebeest and zebra, for as far as the eye can see?

Migration Masai Mara with AfricanExplorations.com

Jonathan and Nicky were in Kenya’s Masai Mara in March. They stayed at Richard Roberts’ wonderful, genuine camp: Richards Camp. The old-style permanent camp is one of our favourites and has only six, authentic, tasteful Manyara tents, with a separate dressing room area and en suite bathroom, an excellent place from which to game view in Kenya’s Mara.

Interior Of Tent at Richard's Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

The permanent tents are lovely, light and spacious and, whilst ensuite, there is another separate outdoor bathroom area in an enclosed wooden boma complete with loo, outside shower and massive Victorian bath which belonged to Barclay Cole of Out Of Africa fame – a great place to sip a G&T and soak away the dust of a day’s game viewing in Kenya’s Mara. The camp is beautifully shaded, set in a grove of acacia trees with lawns normally manicured by passing hippo!

View From Your Tent - Richard's Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

Meals are eaten outside or in the main “homestead” which has a sitting room and fireplace. Richard and Liz Roberts are the owners and hosts, thus giving a wonderful family atmosphere which is completed by the presence of their 4 year old son.

Richard Roberts, Owner/Manager at Richard's Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya.

A few kilometres away is Richards Private Camp which, as a bush camp, is simply lovely with a super, evocative, mess area and, in the guest tents, the most amazing bathrooms made out of sisal wood poles with candelabras, shower, loo and double basin plus a large bedroom with a huge, comfy bed; all fronted by a verandah. The setting is completely different to the main camp and we suggest doing a two day walk, fly camping en route, to get between the camps – a true safari! There is frequent lion activity around this camp; this is a place to come to for several days.

Aerial Shot of Richards Private Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya, leading to....

………the reason for this blog entry: to highlight Richard’s amazing “scenic flights”. Richard owns a Cessna 180 four seat single engine plane and keeps it at Richards Camp, from where he will take guests, complete with your choice of music in the headphones(!), on a tour of the area.  Richard does a great deal of low level game counting for KWS and is an expert, “proper”, aviator with a full commercial licence. Game is viewed from above and both the change of perspective and the scenery are stunning. It is excellent value when compared with the somewhat expensive (if longer) commercial balloon trips and has the advantage not only of starting and ending at the camp and taking place when one wishes, rather than having to travel miles to get to the balloon launch site, but being completely personal.

Richard's Cessna 180 with Nicky and Richard's Superb Local Guides

If one flies in the evening you might land on the edge of the Mara at a sundowner spot for champagne, bitings and a chance to relax watching the famed African sunset. Richards Camp is fabulous and the Masai Mara game viewing is excellent. The video here really does “hit the spot”.