Great Wildebeest Migration
- When
- July – October
- Where
- Maasai Mara National Reserve, Narok
- Frequency
- continuous
- Organised by
- Narok County Government and Kenya Wildlife Service
About this event
The Great Wildebeest Migration is an annual circular journey of over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, moving between the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. It is widely regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
The most dramatic phase occurs between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River from Tanzania into Kenya in search of fresh grazing. These river crossings, often involving thousands of animals at once, are among the most iconic wildlife spectacles on the planet.
The migration is deeply connected to the cultural heritage of the Maasai people, who have lived alongside the herds across the Mara ecosystem for centuries. Traditional Maasai pastoralism and the migration have coexisted for generations, making the event not only an ecological phenomenon but also a living cultural landscape.
The migration supports Kenya's wildlife tourism industry, which is a major source of foreign exchange and employment. Conservation efforts involving the Kenya Wildlife Service, Narok County Government and Maasai community conservancies work to protect the migratory corridors and the wider Mara ecosystem.
Cultural significance
The Great Wildebeest Migration is widely regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and one of the world's most spectacular wildlife events. It is deeply intertwined with Maasai cultural heritage, as the Maasai people have coexisted with the migrating herds across the Mara ecosystem for centuries. The migration underpins Kenya's wildlife tourism industry and is central to the ecological and cultural identity of the Maasai Mara region.
Associated communities
- Maasai