I'll be leaving for Kenya in about 14 days, 10 hrs and 15 minutes (can you tell I'm excited)???!!!

Going to Nairobi, Amboseli and Sweetwaters first, then arrive in the Mara 8/26.

From what I've read, the migration has already arrived in the Mara. So....does this mean I've missed all the action???

Thanks for your responses!

the migration period is usually 3-31/2 months long i.e. takes place till October thus am sure you won't miss it

Elizabethj- I'm glad to hear the migration is in the Mara. I leave tomorrow and will be in the Mara by the end of next week. I'm sure you won't miss out. As Johnnyp2 says, the migration lasts months.

I'm just as excited as you despite the monstrous packing chore ahead of me tonight.

Hope you have a great trip. I want to share my new favorite song with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK0wPpLryc4

Though "some" of the herds arrived in the Mara earlier than usual (early/mid-June) there are more still that continue to arrive in July, August and even September... staying thru October and even November. Besides, there are resident herds that never migrate. Believe me... they haven't all turned around to the Serengeti. And, even if some have, they're known to go back-n-forth constantly during this 4-5/mo period. It rains, they move; it stops raining, they return.

Go and enjoy!

long2travel - I loved that song!!!! Everyone in my office is laughing at me as I try to learn and keep up.....Thanks!

Don't worry about it. There are <b>so</b> many wildebeest and they're not very...well-organized. Have a great trip!

I think what some people mean by The Migration, is the actual crossing of all the animals across the Mara River.

If it is just the moving of all Wilderbeest and Zebras from the Serengeti into the Mara...then no, you have not missed anything and

you will see literally thousand of them all over the place when you are in the Mara area.

Now the actual crossing over the Mara River where the crocodils are snapping at them..... this is a different matter.

You have to be a little lucky to see this terrific event.

You could be there for 2-3 days and see thousand of Wildebeest BUT...none of them crossing the Mara River.

I was very lucky last year to have seen this National Geographic event !

elizabethj.... you now have 13 days left.
Have a great trip and Good Luck.

dgreen - I've had everyone singing it for weeks. It's such a fun song. Sorry to borrow the thread.

The wildebeest go back and forth across the river sometimes often, sometimes not. The Mara this time of year is great and you'll have a wonderful time.

To all of you who responded--thank you, mahalo, asante, arigato, gracias (sorry if I missed anyone--that's all I know)!

long2travel---what a great song---have a safe and wonderful journey--looking forward to your trip report

Hope I get to hear some musiki while in Africa--now that's another thread I guess.

You couldn't have chosen a better period for the MM!

Mid/end of August is much better than any earlier period - more predictable migration-wise!

No worries! They (the wildies etc) will be waiting for you....up until the end of Oct or even into Dec - depending on rains!

Happy travels and have a great safari! Jealousy here on my end - sure!

Thanks spassvogel!

Great to know this is prime time for our journey ahead.

Now if only my binoculars and camera will arrive ...HA! Just gotta go with the flow and know it'll all work out.