4 Days Masai Mara Budget Safari
The 4-day Masai Mara budget safari gives you two full days in the reserve instead of one, which doubles your chances of seeing leopard, cheetah and a Mara River crossing in migration season.
From USD 475per person
Best Time to See the Great Migration in the Masai Mara
The Great Migration is in the Masai Mara from about July to October, with Mara River crossings peaking in August and September. A month-by-month guide.
Short answer
The best time to see the Great Migration in Kenya's Masai Mara is from July to October. River crossings at the Mara River usually peak in August and September. The herds arrive from Tanzania's Serengeti in July and head back south in late October and November, but exact timing changes each year with the rains.
Last updated:
Great Migration month by month
| Months | Where the herds are | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January – March | Southern Serengeti (Tanzania) | Calving season, predator action in Tanzania |
| April – May | Central Serengeti | Long rains, low prices |
| June | Western Serengeti, Grumeti River | Early crossings in Tanzania |
| July | Arriving in the Masai Mara | First Mara River crossings |
| August – September | Masai Mara | Peak Mara River crossings |
| October | Masai Mara, starting south | Fewer crowds, herds still present |
| November – December | Moving back to the Serengeti | Short rains, green season |
When are the Mara River crossings?
Crossings happen from July to October, most often in August and September. Herds can wait for days on the bank, so a 4-day safari with two full days in the reserve gives you much better odds than a 3-day trip.
Is the Masai Mara worth visiting outside migration season?
Yes. The Mara has resident lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and buffalo all year. January to June also has half-price non-resident park fees, fewer vehicles and green landscapes. See park fees.
Can I see the migration in Kenya and Tanzania on one trip?
Yes. A 10-day Kenya and Tanzania safari visits both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, which helps when the herds are on the move between them in June–July or October–November.
Frequently asked questions
What month is best for the Great Migration in Kenya?
August and September are the most reliable months for Mara River crossings. July and October are also good, with fewer vehicles.
Is the Great Migration in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both. The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania's Serengeti and are in Kenya's Masai Mara from about July to October.
How many animals are in the Great Migration?
About 1.5 million wildebeest with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, moving in a loop between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
Safaris mentioned in this guide
3 Days Masai Mara Group Joining Safari (Budget)
The 3-day Masai Mara group joining safari is the most affordable way to see the Mara: you share a pop-up roof vehicle with up to 6 other travellers, leave Nairobi daily, stay two nights in a budget tented camp and get a full day of game driving in search of the Big Five.
From USD 308per person
10 Days Kenya & Tanzania Budget Camping Safari
The 10-day Kenya and Tanzania budget camping safari crosses the Namanga border to combine the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli with Tanzania's Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara: two countries and six parks on one shared camping trip.
From USD 2,357per person
Written by the Seemore Tours & Travels team in Nairobi. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will update it.