The Migration Spreads throughout the Masai Mara
Kenya
The Great Migration tends to remain on the plains through most of September. If it rains at all, it rains lightly, coaxing wildflowers out across the landscape. Fireball lilies, tissue paper flowers and pyjama lilies bring sudden flashes of red, white and purple to the short grass plains.
From Governors’ Camp, we sometimes enjoy the sight of endless herds grazing amongst the flowering plains – something many peak-season visitors never experience. Days grow warmer, often reaching 30°C by midday, while the evenings remain fresh and comfortable.
September days start with gorgeous mornings and warm middays. We sometimes receive scattered rain showers in the late afternoons and evenings, and temperatures can reach 30°C. With scattered rain come wildflowers: tissue paper flowers (Cycnium tubulosum) dot the landscape, fireball lilies (Scadoxus multiflorus) with their brilliant reds, and pyjama lilies (Crinum macowanii) with their white and purple stripes bring flashes of colour to the plains.
The Great Migration is typically still on the plains, with dense concentrations of wildebeest and zebra, and the chance of dramatic river crossings continuing. They spread out during the day to graze and come together in tight herds for safety at night. Crocodiles will still take a few, although most have now had their fill by September and watch contentedly from the riverbank.
Dung beetles of all colours and sizes are busy clearing up what the wildebeest have left behind, as are termites. This in turn provides a feast for birds, aardvarks, aardwolves, bat-eared foxes and mongooses.
Lions: The Marsh Pride remains at the core of their territory close to Governors’ Camp, hunting at night and resting during the day. The Paradise Pride stays close to the Mara River, often hiding in the croton bushes near the crossing sites, ready to ambush wildebeest and zebra. On one occasion, this pride killed five wildebeest from a single ambush position, a moment none of our guides have forgotten.
Leopards: Good sightings in the forests between the Governors’ Camp and Il Moran throughout September.
Cheetahs: Lone cheetahs are sometimes seen on the plains, hunting gazelle in the open short-grass areas.
Elephants: Elephants are frequent and sometimes surprising visitors to our camps in September. They often arrive at camps at lunchtime, requiring staff to gently usher guests back while elephant families pass through.
Buffalo: The large buffalo herd spends its time between the Marsh and Rhino Ridge with their young calves.
Other plains game: Many antelope species begin mating in September, with males rutting and asserting territory. This timing is deliberately designed to coincide with births at the start of the long rains in late March, so calves arrive when the grass is new and tall enough to hide in. Resident baboons feed along roadside verges. Warthogs and piglets are seen throughout the grasslands. Ostriches sit on clutches of around 20 eggs, which females guard by day, males by night. Giraffes move up to the acacia woodlands as the season shifts.
September brings the first migratory birds from Europe, a sign the seasons are turning. Eurasian bee-eaters fly in reasonably large flocks high overhead. Lilac-breasted rollers feed off large brown grasshoppers out on the open plains, providing some of the most photogenic subjects of the month. Black-shouldered kites, tawny eagles and Bateleurs are commonly seen quartering the plains.
Marsh owls are occasionally spotted in the early mornings and evenings around the Musiara Marsh, while Verreaux’s eagle-owls and spotted eagle-owls appear in the woodland areas after dark – an atmospheric end to an evening game drive. The short grass and abundant dung from the migration herds continue to support enormous populations of dung beetles and other insects, making September excellent for ground-level birds, including ground hornbills, secretary birds and various stork species working the plains.
This month is usually very dry, bringing warm days and overcast skies to the Mara.
Typical conditions include:
The light at this time of year is especially striking. Clear mornings followed by cloud-filled afternoons create rich, golden tones and dramatic skies that photographers love. A light layer is useful for early mornings and evenings, while afternoons are usually warm. Remember to pack a lightweight rain jacket for the occasional shower.
Both Governors’ Camp and Il Moran Camp sit adjacent to the Musiara Marsh, which is at the heart of the Marsh Pride’s territory and a focal point for the migration herds as September progresses.
Guests in September benefit from:
Please note: As the migration is a natural phenomenon influenced by changing environmental conditions, we cannot guarantee the timing, location, or wildlife sightings described.
Historically, September has been a good month for the Great Migration, but with a calmer atmosphere than the peak month of August, plus the added beauty of wildflowers and the first hints of the short rains. For many guests, it becomes the month they remember most fondly – an unexpected favourite that quietly surpasses expectations.
Whether you’re planning your first Kenya safari in September or returning to the Mara with us, Governors’ Camp Collection’s team can help you make the most of everything this extraordinary month has to offer. Contact us to start planning your September African safari.
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