Wildebeest Migration Live Webcam: Mara River Crossings
Watch the Great Wildebeest Migration live — the world's largest mammal migration, 1.5 million wildebeest + 200,000 zebras + 500,000 gazelles moving between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara. Peak Mara River crossings occur July through October with dramatic crocodile ambushes. WildEarth live safari drives broadcast crossings on YouTube.
VIEW MIGRATION CAMS LIVE →
Maasai Mara (Kenya) — circular annual cycle | Mara River Crossings: July - October peak | Primary Live Broadcast: [WildEarth Safari Live](https://www.wildearth.tv/) — twice-daily ranger-hosted safari drives | Secondary: [Discovery HerdTracker](https://www.discoverafrica.com/herdtracker/) — tracking app + cam during peak crossings | Crossing Hotspots: Mara Triangle, Paradise Crossing, Lookout Hill Crossing | Predators at Crossings: Nile crocodiles (waiting in river), lions (waiting on riverbanks) | Best Viewing Window: July 15 - October 15 (peak Mara crossings) | Calving Season: January-March (Serengeti short-grass plains)The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest overland mammal migration on Earth — 1.5 million wildebeest plus 200,000 zebras and 500,000 Thomson's gazelles moving in a continuous circular pattern between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. Per Discover Africa's HerdTracker, the migration follows seasonal rains — calving on the southern Serengeti short-grass plains in January-March, moving north through western Serengeti April-June, and arriving at the Mara River crossings July-October. The river crossings are the most dramatic event in wildlife — wildebeest plunge into crocodile-infested waters to reach fresh grazing on the opposite bank. Per WildEarth Safari Live, the twice-daily live safari drives broadcast on YouTube from camps in the Maasai Mara during crossing season, with rangers narrating crossings in real time and answering viewer Q&A. Crossing hotspots include Paradise Crossing, Lookout Hill Crossing, and the Mara Triangle area. Nile crocodiles wait in the river ambush points; lions and cheetahs position on the riverbanks to intercept weakened animals after the crossing.
Wildebeest Migration Live Cam Coverage
WildEarth Safari Live (YouTube)
Twice-daily ranger drives
Professional ranger-led live safari drives from Maasai Mara camps during crossing season, July-October.
Discovery HerdTracker
Migration location tracker
Real-time tracking of which section of the Serengeti/Mara the migration is currently in.
Maasai Mara Camp Live Feeds
Various safari lodges
Multiple Maasai Mara camps (Governor's, Kichwa Tembo, Angama Mara) offer live streams.
Serengeti Tanzania Camps
Tanzania side
Serengeti-side camps (Singita, &Beyond, Asilia) occasionally live-stream migration segments.
Mara Triangle
Premier crossing area
Section of Maasai Mara in Kenya with the most dramatic crossings — Paradise, Lookout Hill, Sand River.
Nile Crocodile Ambushes
Key crossing moments
Large Nile crocodiles (up to 16 ft) position at crossing points for wildebeest ambushes.
Calving Season Cams (Jan-Mar)
Serengeti short-grass plains
500,000 wildebeest calves born over 3 weeks on the Serengeti short-grass plains.
African Dawn + Dusk
Peak activity
Most crossings happen early morning or late afternoon when heat is lower.
When to Watch Wildebeest Migration Cams
Wildebeest Migration Viewing Windows
- January-March — Calving season — Serengeti short-grass plains
- April-June — Northward movement through western Serengeti
- July-August — First Mara River crossings (peak dramatic moments)
- September-October — Continued Mara crossings — herds shift between Kenya and Tanzania sides
- November-December — Return migration south to Serengeti
- Dawn crossings (6-9 AM) — Most common morning timing for crossings
- Dusk crossings (4-7 PM) — Secondary timing window
- Dry season peak (Aug-Sept) — Water scarcity drives most dramatic crossings
- Rain triggers — Localized showers can shift herd movement within hours
- WildEarth live drives — Morning + afternoon YouTube broadcasts, usually 6-9 AM and 3-6 PM EAT
View Wildebeest Migration Live
Watch the Great Migration live via WildEarth + Maasai Mara camp cams — July-October Mara River crossing season.
VIEW MIGRATION CAMS LIVE →Pro Tip: Wildebeest Migration Viewing Strategy
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a continuous circular movement — not a single event. Different segments peak at different times of year:
- January-March: Calving season, southern Serengeti (Tanzania). 500,000 calves born in ~3 weeks.
- April-June: Herds move northwest through central/western Serengeti.
- July-October: Mara River crossings (Tanzania → Kenya and vice versa). The iconic dramatic moment.
- November-December: Return migration south to Serengeti plains.
For live cam viewing, the July-October window is peak. WildEarth Safari Live broadcasts twice daily on YouTube from Maasai Mara camps during this season with professional ranger commentary.
Time zone (EAT, UTC+3) — to convert to US Eastern Time (UTC-5):
- African dawn broadcast (6-9 AM EAT) = 11 PM - 2 AM ET (previous night)
- African dusk broadcast (3-6 PM EAT) = 8-11 AM ET
For in-person migration safaris, mid-August to late-September is typically the peak viewing window in the Maasai Mara. Top Kenyan camps: Angama Mara, Governors' Camp, Mara Plains Camp. Tanzania options: Singita Grumeti, Serengeti Under Canvas.
For other African wildlife cams, see our African safari live webcam featuring Mpala Kenya, Africam South Africa, and Naledi near Kruger.
For other live wildlife cams, see our African safari live webcam, Katmai bear cam, Decorah eagle cam, Panda cam Smithsonian, Northern Lights aurora live webcam, Niagara Falls live webcam, Iceland volcano live webcam, Kilauea Volcano live webcam, Mount Etna & Stromboli live webcam, and Kennedy Space Center launch cams.
Track the Great Migration
Watch the world's largest mammal migration live during Mara River crossing season — free via WildEarth YouTube.
VIEW MIGRATION CAMS LIVE →When is the Mara River crossing season?
July through October is peak. Per Discover Africa's HerdTracker, first crossings typically start mid-July, with peak activity mid-August through mid-October. Some years have extended September-October crossings if rains are late.
Where can I watch the Great Migration live?
WildEarth Safari Live broadcasts twice-daily live safari drives on YouTube during crossing season. Individual Maasai Mara camps (Angama Mara, Governors' Camp) sometimes run cams. Discover Africa HerdTracker tracks current herd location.
How many animals are in the Great Migration?
Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 500,000 gazelles — totaling over 2 million animals. It's the largest overland mammal migration on Earth.
What happens at a Mara River crossing?
Wildebeest plunge from high riverbanks into the river. Nile crocodiles (up to 16 ft) ambush from the water. Lions wait on the opposite bank. Hundreds die at major crossings — but the majority successfully cross.
Is the migration affected by climate change?
Yes. Rainfall pattern shifts are altering the timing of movements. Some years see earlier crossings, others delayed. Kenya Wildlife Service and Tanzania National Parks monitor changes year-over-year.
Ready to Watch the Great Migration?
Stream the world's largest mammal migration live during Mara crossing season — free via WildEarth + HerdTracker.
VIEW MIGRATION CAMS LIVE →