President William Ruto today launched global live coverage of the 2025 Great Wildebeest Migration at the Masaai Mara.
The coverage, in partnership with the China Media Group, is part of efforts to showcase Kenya’s tourism offerings to the world.
President Ruto said “this historic broadcast is a powerful reminder of what is possible when vision meets partnership”.
“Our goal is to attract up to five million visitors in the medium term and ensure that every user of our tourism product leaves with a reason to return home to Kenya, the origin of humankind,’ he added.
“We are expanding our tourism products beyond wildlife, national parks and beaches to include a wide array. Digital innovation, sports and conference tourism and culture are the new areas on offer.”
The president said the live coverage was part of efforts by the Kenyan government to boost international tourist arrivals.
So, what is the Great Wildebeest Migration?
Here are 10 fast facts about one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events:
1. The Great Wildebeest Migration involves over a million w8ildebeest, alongside hundreds of thousands of zebras, gazelles and other animals, moving in a continuous cycle between Kenya and Tanzania.
2. The migration occurs within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, spanning Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, covering roughly 1,800 miles annually.
3. The migration follows seasonal rains, as wildebeest seek fresh grazing lands and water, primarily triggered by East Africa’s short rains (November–December) and long rains (April–June).
4. The most dramatic moments occur during river crossings, particularly the Mara River in Kenya, where wildebeest face crocodiles, strong currents and predation, typically between July and October.
5. The migration typically reaches Kenya’s Maasai Mara from July to October, drawing tourists to witness the herds and predator-prey interactions.
6. Between January and March, wildebeest give birth to around 500,000 calves in the southern Serengeti (Tanzania), with many later crossing into Kenya as part of the cycle.
7. The migration attracts predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles, making it a hotspot for wildlife viewing and dramatic hunts.
8. The migration is not a single event but a year-round, circular movement, with animals moving clockwise from Tanzania to Kenya and back, following nutrient-rich grasses.
9. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, including Kenya’s Maasai Mara, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Serengeti National Park), recognised for its ecological significance.
10. The migration impacts local Maasai communities, who coexist with wildlife, and it supports Kenya’s tourism industry, contributing significantly to the economy.
Bonus fact: The Great Migration is the largest movement of animals on Earth and has been described as the seventh “New Wonder” of the world.
