The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Great Wildebeest Migration, which ultimately leads to the dramatic river crossings and chasing of the Wildebeests by predators, can be seen only if you have the right location of your lodging. The lodges that are listed below are either right on the Mara River or within the exclusive private conservancies adjacent to the main reserve and hence are the best choices for watching the migration.

Prime River Crossing Locations (July – October Peak)
The lodges are located in the northern Mara, thus having the access to the Mara River crossing points immediate and direct. This is where the wildebeests are forced to jump into the water to get to the northern plains.
1. Governors’ Camp:
Location: It is located on the northern bank of the Mara River.
Migration Advantage: Yes, it is one of the original camps and the best-positioned, being just right in the middle of the action. Its placement is very often close to the main crossing points, so that guests can quickly get to the riverbanks when it is a time of crossing. The atmosphere is classic safari luxury.
2. Mara Serena Safari Lodge:
Location: Mara Serena is located on a ridge above the Mara River and the plains.
Migration Advantage: Due to its high position, it offers very beautiful panoramic views of the whole ecosystem around which is perfect for spotting the dust that is raised by the arrival of the herds from far-away. This place perfectly opens the way to the Mara Triangle, a less crowded, quieter area of the reserve.
3. Little Governors’ Camp:
Location: It is at the river’s edge and can be reached by a short boat ride across the Mara River.
Migration Advantage: As a fully open camp, that is separated by the river, this little camp provides closeness and typical safari experience, along with the sights of hippos and crocodiles right from the camp deck that is often the case. Its nearness to the crossing zones makes very early viewing very easy.

Private Camps in the Intimate Wilderness of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
These camps lie directly adjacent to but outside the main Maasai Mara National Reserve. So they grant the advantage of a higher price but at the same time, keep the promise of exclusivity, fewer vehicles, and the special safari activities that cannot be experienced in the main park. The latter option suits best those who want to keep away from the traffic that is usually heavy during the migration peak.
4. Angama Mara:
Location: At the top of the Oloololo Escarpment presenting a view of the Mara Triangle.
Migration Advantage: A major factor in the filming of the movie Out of Africa, Angama overlooks a huge private corner of the Mara. In addition to that, the height of the camp allows uninterrupted, panoramic views of the plains where the herds usually gather before making their way down to the river. The standard of the architecture and the luxury are beyond excellent.
5. Sala’s Camp:
Location: in the southeast part of the Maasai Mara Reserve close to the Sand River gate, the camp is strategically placed.
Migration Advantage: As the herds come north from the Serengeti (usually in June/July), Sala is quite often among the first camps to see the migration refugees. In addition, it offers the advantage of going into the main Mara by car and yet being a luxurious and quiet base at the same ​‍​‌‍​‍‌time.

6.​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Olonana Sanctuary Camp (Olarro Conservancy):
Location: On the banks of the Mara River, a private stretch is where this place can be found.
Migration Advantage: Guests at this camp in a private conservancy can enjoy additional activities such as off-road driving, night game drives, and walking safaris. During the migration, thus camp accesses less busy areas where the animals scatter after the river crossings and hence offer splendid predator sightings without the crowd.

All-Round Excellent Central Mara Camps.
These are excellent lodges with good road access to all parts of the central reserve which make them well-positioned to drive to the river crossings during the peak months while providing a great experience even when the migration is absent. They also offer unrestricted game viewing throughout the year.

7. Keekorok Lodge,
Location: At the southern end of the main reserve, the border is known for its prime location nearby.
Migration Advantage: Keekorok through a long, elevated walkway that stretches out over the plains is the only one allows the viewing of wildlife including passing migration herds directly from the lodge property. Besides it provides good value and traditional lodge comfort.

8. Mara Explorer Camp.
Location: On Talek River, a tributary of the Mara River, is where the camp is.
Migration Advantage: The camp is very tiny and highly personalized; hence, it next to Talek River is perfect for year-round leopard sightings and is also centrally located so that driving to the central plains and the main Mara River crossing points is relatively easy.

9. Bateleur Camp (and Bateleur Exclusive Mobile Camp).
Location: Below the Oloololo Escarpment on the western boundary of the Maasai Mara. Migration Advantage: Bateleur is an elegant, tented option with an authentic 1920s-style safari atmosphere. Its location on the western side of the Mara allows for access only to this area, which is less visited, and thus, puts most guests in an excellent position to see the massive spread of the herds as they fan out across the western plains.

10. Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp:
Location: On a private concession on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment.
Migration Advantage: Binding fantastic views with comfy tents, Kichwa Tembo is the perfect mix of a private concession’s benefits (that is better guiding) and the closeness to the Mara Triangle.
The importance of choosing the right lodge for your Great Migration tour cannot be overstated.

In conclusion, to be able to watch a Mara River crossing, sherpa camps in the northern Mara (1-3) should be your first consideration. Conversely, if your main point is an exclusive experience with fewer crowd and better activities, you should be picking a camp located in one of the neighboring private conservancies (4-6). Whatever your decision, early booking cannot be overemphasized as these top 10 lodges are booked to capacity more than a year in advance for the peak migration ​‍​‌‍​‍‌months with Adyeri Travel Limited.