I am often asked, “When is the best time to go on safari in East Africa?” The common answer is Always! Actually, that is because there is something every month so you don’t have to choose but remember to focus on the rain, when game-watching or sightseeing when that is what you want to do.
As a second-generation native of East Africa, I have my personal favorite times to visit, and I make it a point to return every February. However, I have been on safari since the age of 4, pretty much every time of year, and yes, this also includes the rainy months. I even remember a time when we got stuck in the mud near Mt Kenya after a long rain. That was fun!
So, each time we see the season change to a different movement, we will get in touch with guides to have them send a video of what they are seeing from the bush. Countless amateur camera videos and photos allow us to know exactly where the best action is, which camp we should use, whether to use a mobile or stationary camp and in which order to plan the safari. This also allows us to see whether it makes sense to go to Kigali, Entebbe, Victoria Falls, or Ruaha National Park after the safari experience in the vast plains of the Serengeti and Mara ecosystem. By knowing what is happening using first-hand accounts. Over the years, from frontline guides and our own returns to the safari plains, we have seen specific trends and cycles, such as what a heavy rain in November may mean for the movements in June. Or what a dry May may mean for the early part of October.
In this week’s video, we share one such video, taken from the front lines by our guide friends at Bushtops Camps. These are not professional videos, they are raw footage captured at the river, as the herds started crossing in masses across the high water levels of the Mara River. Wildebeest are often underestimated when it comes to intelligence, but the truth is that their inner sense and instincts are among the best in the safari world, whether it’s about crossing rivers or being the first to signal the presence of a predator.
Since the herds have started crossing, we will say what we say every year around this time…
One of the most common words used to describe Kenya is “magical”. For evidence of this, all you need to do is watch the Wildebeest Migration at Maasi Mara. Over a million wildebeest follow the smell of rain in hopes of finding fresh grass. Not only is this an amazing sight, it is also an amazing sound! You can literally hear the heard approaching, millions of hoof beats drumming like thunder. There are wildebeest as far as the eye can see, with some zebras sprinkled in as well. This migration can be very dangerous to members of the heard, as predators such as lions and hyenas are drawn to the spectacle. The dung from the migrating animals serves as a fertilizer for the plains, setting the stage for next year’s migration.
As impressive as the great Migration is, it’s only one of the many extraordinary experiences that awaits travelers who visit Kenya. The country’s natural splendor starts with its weather as it is a year-round tropical haven for travelers from around the globe. Usually the days are bright and sunny and the nights are cool. The agreeable climate makes the gorgeous beaches and national parks enjoyable any time of the year. The weather alone makes Kenya stand out from other destinations, but there is so much more to this African gem.
One of the biggest elements to Kenya’s natural beauty is its wildlife. Even excluding the great Migration, Kenya offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world as the famed Big Five call it home. The lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant can all be seen roaming free. While there definitely is no absolute guarantee you will see all of the Big Five in one trip, the possibilities are pretty good!
In reality, the only word that can come close to describe everything Kenya has to offer is “magical”. Whether you want to just take in the scenery or go in search of the Big Five, Kenya is definitely for those who seek natural beauty.
