Kenya’s Masai Mara Migration and the Animals You Can See in This National Park

The Masai Mara migration is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous natural spectacles. Every year thousands of people flock here from across the globe to witness this show-stopping wonder of nature, making the Masai Mara National Reserve, which is situated in the southwest of Kenya, one of the world’s most popular safari destinations in Africa.

But, migration aside, this awe-inspiring reserve still teems with wildlife year round!

Quite simply, the Masai Mara (or the Mara as it is fondly known) is widely thought to hold one of the richest populations of wild animals anywhere in the world.

Not only is this park one of the best locations in Africa for spotting the Big 5 animals, but the Masai Mara also boasts close to 90 species of other mammals and hundreds of species of birds, making it one of the richest ecosystems on earth.

Read on to find out more about the famous Masai Mara migration animals, as well as the array of other wildlife you can see year-round in this incredible safari destination.

Masai Mara Migration in Kenya

The Masai Mara is, of course, most famous for the incredible Great Migration (aka the Wildebeest Migration). 

Great migration kenya

Taking place between July and October, people flock here each year to see huge herds of animals (hundreds or even thousands strong) and make the epic journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.

Despite the countries’ national borders, huge swathes of herbivores make epic annual migrations across these two national parks, travelling up to a staggering 1,500km distance in search of fresh grazing lands.

While these migrating herds include zebra and gazelles, probably the most dramatic of these migrations is that of the wildebeest, as up to 2.5 million of these large mammals cross the perilous Mara River.

Usually taking place in July and August, this epic wildebeest migration sees these animals traversing crocodile-infested waters, as well as the river’s thundering current, resulting in dramatic scenes, with many not making the journey. 

Mara river wildebeest migration

If you want to see this world-famous scene - the subject of many nature documentaries - then you’ll need to book early! The Great Migration of Africa is definitely the most popular spectacle to see in the Masai Mara and draws large numbers of tourists who book up to 18 months ahead!

Other Masai Mara Animals You Can Expect to See on Safari 

Masai Mara Migration Animals 

The Masai Mara migration isn’t just limited to wildebeest, zebra and different types of gazelle however, as these huge numbers of herbivores also attract a great number of predators too, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and Nile crocodiles. 

Masai mara wildebeest cheetah

African Big Cats 

Among the Masai Mara animals most popular with safari-goers are the African big cats. The huge grassy savannah plains of this Kenya National Park support large populations of Africa’s iconic felines. 

In particular abundance are lions, but sightings of cheetahs and even the very elusive leopard, are not uncommon.

The months of January through March are known as the ‘lion season’ in the Masai Mara and one of the best times of year to see these majestic big cats. 

Masai mara lions kenya safari

This is because these months herald the breeding season for wildebeest, zebra and other herbivores, meaning a plethora of their young calves can be spotted running across the Mara plains at this time.

In turn, this brings the African big cats, searching for easy prey, and ushers in a predator hunting spree often unparalleled at other times of year

Big 5 Animals in Masai Mara

Most tourists come to Africa hoping to see the so-called Big 5 animals, the top safari bucket-list hitters - which along with lions, encompasses elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo.

Big 5 safari elephants masai mara

The Masai Mara is one of only a few places in Africa where seeing all of these Big Five animals on your safari is not just possible, but also pretty likely, thanks to the large population numbers of all these animals.  

Lesser Known Masai Mara Animals 

The Big 5 animals, big cats and migration wildlife aside, the Masai Mara is also home to a rich array of other African animals, so don’t forget to look beyond the big hitters and get to know some of East Africa’s lesser-known creatures when you safari here.

An example of these are the magnificent species of antelope, which are present in the Masai Mara in large numbers and include impalas and gazelles. 

Other weird and wonderful creatures native to this area are the aardvark, the bushbaby, the Red-Tailed Monkey, the Slender Mongoose, the Spotted Hyena and the Masai giraffe, to name just a few! 

Masai mara giraffe baby

All are plentiful in Masai Mara, so expect to see many of these incredible animals on your Kenya safari here.  

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, hoping to get up close with many of Africa’s wild wonderful creatures in their natural habitat it’s hard to beat a Masai Mara migration safari in Kenya!

To enquire about a safari tour to one of the most wildlife-dense nature reserves in Africa, speak to one of our African Travel Experts today. 

Masai mara safari wildebeest croc