Peak Season in the Masai Mara – The Migration in Full Flow
Kenya
August is widely considered the peak of the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara, and for guests at Governors’ Camp, it is the month when the Reserve is at its most alive. Cool mornings of around 14°C give way to warm, clear days of around 28°C ideal conditions for long game drives that follow the herds and chase the crossings.
The passing herds have grazed the grasslands short and dry, so visibility is exceptional and predators are generally easy to spot. On the best days, the plains between Governors’ Camp and the horizon are carpeted in wildebeest and zebra as far as the eye can see, a spectacle that no photograph quite does justice to.
August in the Mara greets us with cool mornings of around 14°C and warm days peaking at 28°C, beginning with spectacular sunrises. Herds of wildebeest and zebra follow the rains and green pastures, often forming vast carpets stretching from Governors’ Camp as far as the eye can see. Rivers bustle with drama, especially at midday, as large crossings see crocodiles preying on wildebeest. It is raw, exhilarating, and utterly unforgettable.
In August, warthog sows leave their family groups to give birth in separate burrows, nursing piglets for several weeks. Some females are even known to care for the young of others – a fascinating behaviour that is rarely observed, but one our guides know how to spot. With lower Mara River levels, hippos crowd together in shared pools, heightening stress and aggression among males. They’re also frequently seen grazing on land during the day, an unusual behaviour worth watching for.
Wildebeest & Zebra: River crossings, particularly at midday, are common at this time of year, with thousands of animals at a time facing the Mara’s crocodiles and currents. Some crossings last minutes, others unfold over hours, with false starts and moments of terrifying bravery. The Marsh Pride of lions hunts wildebeest daily during this period, ensuring all members stay well-fed and active.
Elephants: Elephant herds, including young calves, are frequently seen crossing the Mara River or visiting camp to feed on Teclea nobilis trees, sometimes toppling them entirely. When the wildebeest arrive in great numbers, the elephant herds retreat to the surrounding woodlands.
Buffalo: A herd of approximately 500 buffalo returns to the Marsh, where the remaining water and coarse grasses are plentiful. Males vigilantly protect calves on occasion; we have watched them chase lions up trees when they approached too closely.
Lions: The abundant food keeps the Marsh Pride centred around Governors’ Camp, where it hunts wildebeest daily. They spend long daylight hours resting within sight of the tents, conserving energy for the night’s hunt.
Leopards: Consistent sightings in the surrounding woodlands throughout August.
Cheetahs: Hunt Thomson’s gazelles on the open, short grass plains. Excellent visibility at this time of year makes for some of the season’s most dramatic cheetah viewing.
Other plains game: Large groups of giraffes migrate between feeding areas. Topi and Coke’s hartebeest are widely distributed across the short-grass plains. Elands browse on croton bush fruit. Impala with new fawns gather at the woodland edges. Olive baboons, many with new infants, are plentiful. Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles give birth on the short grass plains. Spotted hyenas are everywhere, and as the grass is grazed short, serval cat sightings increase noticeably.
In the forests, quinine trees lose their leaves before rapidly blooming with fruit and flowers, attracting black-and-white casqued hornbills, turacos, double-toothed barbets and olive pigeons – a beautiful contrast to the drama of the open plains. Water-dependent species thrive along the Mara River and Musiara Marsh: saddle-billed storks, yellow-billed storks, sacred ibis, and the season’s first spoon-billed storks.
Ostriches are seen out on the plains tending to clutches of eggs. The short, open grasslands make August one of the finest months for raptor viewing. Bateleurs, tawny eagles, and martial eagles are regularly seen. The skies above the Mara River crossing sites fill with vultures: Rüppell’s griffon, white-backed and lappet-faced, a constant aerial presence throughout the month.
August is firmly within the dry season and is generally one of the clearest, driest months in the Masai Mara.
Typical conditions include:
Pack warm layers for early-morning game drives, as it can feel rather cold when setting out at first light. By midday, lighter clothes are ideal.
August is Governors’ Camp’s busiest month, and with good reason. Both Governors’ Camp and Il Moran Camp sit adjacent to the Musiara Marsh, one of the most wildlife-dense areas in the entire Reserve.
Guests in August can hope to see:
Please note: As the migration is a natural phenomenon influenced by changing environmental conditions, we cannot guarantee the timing, location, or wildlife sightings described.
An African safari in August at Governors’ Camp is, for many of our guests, the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. The Migration, the crossings, the predator action, everything tends to converge in this single extraordinary month.
If you are considering combining your Masai Mara stay with Laikipia or Lake Naivasha, our team can help you design the perfect Kenya itinerary.
August books out months in advance, so we strongly recommend reserving early. Contact Governors’ Camp Collection to begin planning your August safari.
