The Serengeti and Maasai Mara form the backdrop to the one of the most spectacular shows on earth; the Great Migration. Every year, over 1.5 million of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move continuously across the plains of Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grazing, water and breeding grounds. With numerous predators close at hand, it is this circle of life and death that fascinates many safari wanderers.
Our Tanzania great migration safaris focus on witnessing the incredible spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration in its various forms. We understand these movements and have close longterm relationships with the surrounding camps and lodges in order to facilitate your ultimate safari.
The most important part of planning a Great Migration safari to Africa, is to understand the different stages of the migration, what time of the year is best for viewing these migratory herds and where within this vast ecosystem you can view the herds.
2023 - 2024 SEASON - KENYA & TANZANIA
MONTHS: DECEMBER TO MARCH
SPECIFIC AREAS: SOUTHERN SERENGETI AND NDUTU PLAINS
Calving usually occurs in a 3 week period during the month of February, when over 500,000 young
Wildebeest will be born on the open plains, ready to join the mega-herd. Depending on the rainfall
in the previous year in the Maasai Mara, the mega-herds will make their trek down into Tanzania
and further south during December. By January, expect the migrating herds in the Southern
Serengeti Plains or Southern Loliondo in Tanzania, grazing on the green, lush grass recently
revitalized by good rainfall.
There is spectacular interaction at this time of year following the arrival of Wildebeest newborns
and predators lurking eagerly nearby. The wildebeest herds are constantly on the move and
calving does not disturb this rhythm in the slightest. Upon delivery and within minutes, calves are
able to stand and walk with the herd, and in a few days are even able to outrun predators. By
March the southern plains begin to thin out as the wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move north
towards Seronera and the western Ngorongoro area.
MONTHS: APRIL TO MAY
SPECIFIC AREAS: WESTERN& CENTRAL-WEST SERENGETI (IKOMA REGION)
The long rains are falling in Tanzania and the herds begin to migrate to grassier plains and
woodlands of the Serengeti Western Corridor. The rain can, at times, make it quite tricky to follow
the herds during this stage of the migration as roads become sodden and difficult to navigate. A
number of camps close for annual maintenance during this period. That being said, if you are on
safari it is an incredible time to visit, and although it is wet, there are few tourists and you may
experience the migration and have the Serengeti almost exclusively to yourself.
The end of May marks the end of long rains in the Eastern Serengeti and Northern Ngorongoro, and
as the rain ceases, the herds gradually move north. By this time the calves have matured and
migration time starts again; scattered herds gather and the march westwards begins. Individual groups congregate and form larger herds and mating season begins. At this time, the Western
Serengeti is the best area to see the migration and to watch the action unfold.
MONTHS: JUNE TO JULY
SPECIFIC AREAS: WESTERN SERENGETI & GRUMETI GAME RESERVE
See the arrival of the Wildebeest to the Serengeti's Western Corridor and onwards to the Grumeti Reserve. During this period, the herds reach their first high-risk hurdle, the Grumeti River. This is the first of the breath-taking river crossings you will see. The depth of the river due to the rain makes drowning a high risk for many wildebeest, not to mention the treacherous crocodiles ready and waiting to take advantage of the herd’s distress. Naturally any camps and lodges along the river will make for an incredible safari experience to see the migration.
MONTHS: JULY TO SEPTEMBER
SPECIFIC AREAS: NORTHERN SERENGETI & GRUMETI RIVER
Both sides of the Mara River are important during this period. The herds begin to cross central
Serengeti into the Western Corridor, then through the Grumeti River into northern plains of the
Serengeti. Come late July/early August, the grasses of the western Serengeti die and the herds
move on north seeking further grazing.
However, before they are able to reach the succulent grassy plains of Kenya's Maasai Mara, they
are faced with the next dangerous river crossing, the Mara River. Wildebeest oscillate between the
Kenyan and Tanzanian side of the Mara River. This is where the dramatic events unfold as huge
Nile crocodiles wait while the herds bravely and boldly make enormous leaps of faith into the water
to get to better grazing on the opposite banks. By September, the last of the herds will be crossing
the Mara River.
MONTHS: OCTOBER TO NOVERMBER
SPECIFIC AREAS: NORTHERN SERENGETI & MAASAI MARA PLAINS
At this stage the herds move through the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara plains should be scattered with large herds, naturally followed by their hungry stalkers. From October onwards, the herds will slowly begin their journey south, back to the Serengeti in search of better grazing
MONTHS: DECEMBER
SPECIFIC AREAS: SOUTHERN TANZANIA & LOBO AREAS
This is a tricky month. If the short rains start early and if there has been rain in the south of Tanzania, then the herds would move down to the Serengeti quickly and there could be few wildebeest left in the Maasai Mara. If there has been a lack of rain in the south of Tanzania, then the herds would opt for permanent water in the central Serengeti or Lobo areas and move less quickly to the southern plains.