The great wildebeest migration is the largest animal migration in the world. Every year, more than 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) migrate in a clockwise direction across the ecosystems of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara and the reverse in true. It is wise to book your Tanzania migration safari in advance to get a lodge on or as close to the river as possible, this cuts down on travel time to lookout points. August is generally considered the best time to witness the dramatic river crossings from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara. You’ll need a passport to cross into Kenya; the wildebeest are exempt.

For easy connection to Uganda, do the migration in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is open to members of the public so for a more exclusive safari experience, head for the private conservancies that are contiguous with the reserve. This crossing usually occurs at Mara River around late July to August with parts of September and again on their return south, around the last two weeks of October through early November making it the best time to track and see the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara.

The vast plains of the Masai Mara come truly alive from the end of July through to mid-October time, when over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras migrate here from the Serengeti. This is truly nature at its most dramatic. If you wish to see the river crossing, you must be prepared to be patient and be out the entire day with your guide, with a packed breakfast and lunch. Literally hundreds of thousands of desperate wildebeest can gather together on the banks of the river, gazing wistfully across the turbulent water at the green grass on the other side…but not one animal will make a move.

All it takes is one brave wildebeest to literally take the plunge, so to speak, and then they will all follow!  But wildebeest gathering at the river bank does also not necessarily mean a river crossing – frustratingly, they have also been known to mill around on the bank for a few days before attempting to cross! Those which survive the jaws of the crocodiles and make it over the river are rewarded with the lush green grazing grass of the Masai Mara’s vast plains, and by September these plains are alive with wildlife, watched closely by predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah looking for an easy meal.

It is unclear how the wildebeest know which way to go, but it is generally believed that their journey is dictated primarily by their response to the weather; they follow the rains and the growth of new grass. While there is no scientific proof of it, some experts believe that the animals react to lightning and thunderstorms in the distance. It has even been suggested that wildebeest can locate rain more than 50km away.

There is one group that eats the top of the tallest grass, the next group will eat away some of the medium-height grass, until finally it is almost completely eaten, and the herds move on. This means each group sticks to their own kind with only a small overlap in their distributions.

Big cats, elephants, giraffe, wild dog, buffalo, rhino, hyena, wildebeest, gazelles and impala are just a few of the many animal species that can be spotted on daily game drives (no night drives are allowed in the actual reserve itself) and hundreds of bird species have also been recorded.

you can also enjoy a sunrise safari hot-air balloon ride – making the Masai Mara now one of the few areas in East Africa where you can still participate in this exhilarating yet gentle activity. This will give you an amazing breakfast in the bush immediately after the floating experience in the bush.

After the big show of wildebeest migration in Kenya, embark on one of the greatest adventures in Uganda; the Nile is the Longest River in the World. A giant water slide, floating platform, and River board combination is the most popular white-water adventure on the Nile River considered one of the best one-day white water trips in the world, your Kenya Uganda Safari would be complete with experiencing the Nile from its source.

The source of the Nile is one of the most spectacular white-water rafting destinations in the world and for many visitors to Uganda; a rafting trip is the highlight of their visit. Expect long, rollicking strings of Grade IV and V rapids, with plenty of thrills and spills. Participants are advised to remain as calm as possible if they trip over while holding their breath.

Whitewater rafting is a great sport that teaches how to remain calm under great pressure. Whitewater rafting in Jinja takes you in the middle of the river Nile while passing through chaotic and turbulent rapids.

A day of whitewater rafting starts with early morning breakfast before being transferred to the banks of the river. All participants are required to leave their valuable and dry clothes in the car with staff. The teams are given orientation about safety and what to expect.

helmets and waterproof jackets fastened for the activity to begin. The first mile or so gives the guides more time to train all participants fully before the rapids get stronger and more spectacular.

Most people who venture here are first-time rafters; it’s the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try something different. Besides the standard big water runs, there are also less- offered, which bypass the big waves and are guaranteed to garner squeals of delight from young kids. All the options here, can be tried to avoid losing out on everything.

For those experienced in the raft, you can take on the Big Four monster Grade V rapids, including Itanda. There is always a safety boat on hand if you decide the rapids are just too big for you. It takes all the measures to lure you out as well as meals and beers.