Mara River

If you have watched a documentary about the Great Migration, the scenes you remember were almost certainly filmed here. The Mara River is the crossing that the whole migration story builds towards: huge herds of wildebeest trying to reach the far bank of a river full of crocodiles.

Unlike the Grumeti crossings earlier in the year, the Mara crossings come near the end of the herds' journey north and usually peak in August and September. The river is not wide, but its banks are steep, the current is unpredictable, and the resident crocodiles are among the largest in the ecosystem.

No crossing is ever guaranteed, even in peak season. Herds may gather for hours or days and then turn back to try elsewhere. This is where an experienced guide makes all the difference: knowing the favored crossing points and reading the signs that the herds are about to move.

You cannot book a crossing, but you can put yourself in the right place. We plan northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara trips around the latest herd movements, not a fixed calendar, to give you the best chance.