The Great Migration: A year-round spectacle
We often hear from travellers that they like to travel during the summer holidays, because then they can encounter the great migration. The great migration is an annual natural phenomenon in which millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles go in search of fresh grass. The long caravans move clockwise with the rains through the Serengeti National Park. As a result, you can actually encounter the great migration in any month of the year. Location is therefore of great importance (and a bit of luck)! Serengeti National Park is so large that it offers a variety of landscapes. From the vast plains of the south, dotted with acacias and wild animals, the forests and rivers of the west to the hilly Mara River area in the north. This is the scene of the impressive natural spectacle of the great migration… In this blog we take you where and when you can best admire the great migration in the Serengeti.
January to March
Theme: Baby Boom
Where to see: Southern Serengeti grasslands
January to March is the time for new life. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born in a few weeks. This is the time to witness the first steps of young wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. For predators such as lions, it is a party. You will often find them in trees, looking out over the grasslands full of wildebeest.
April to June
Theme: Grass and Green Serengeti
Where to see: Central and Western Serengeti
The herds move west in search of fresh and nutritious grass. The rainy season brings about the growth of beautiful flowers and plants. This period offers spectacular views of huge herds moving across the vast open plains of the Serengeti. The rains have created several rivers that the animals cross as an obstacle.
July to September
Theme: River crossings
Where to see: Northern Serengeti, Mara River
The first animals of the migration arrive in Northern Serengeti in early June and the large herds follow later in July and August. The migration moves more towards the north of the Serengeti and river crossings can be seen at the Mara River. This is the best time to see impressive wildlife action.
October to December
Theme: Back to the South
Where to see: Northern to Southern Serengeti
Usually, more short but heavy rain showers occur in late October. This is when the herds migrate south via the eastern Serengeti. The herds move through the Serengeti and parts of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From mid-December, the animals arrive back in the southern Serengeti, where the calving season begins.
Each phase of the great migration offers a unique perspective on the lives of these animals and the nature of Tanzania. We have the knowledge about the route of the migration, which means we always choose accommodations for you where the chance of encountering the migration is greatest. Our guides know the Serengeti like no other and do their utmost to take you to the right places. Of course, nature is unpredictable and there is a chance that the animals are not present at these places. Wildebeest can travel up to 150 kilometers a day, but they can also linger for a very long time. Even if you do not encounter the herds, you will be amazed by the vast plains of the Serengeti. The beautiful nature, the wild animals and the grandeur make a deep impression on you. Are you ready to experience the great migration yourself? With our favorite example trip: Combi trip Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar – 16 days we make sure that you travel to the places where the migration is. Contact us, we are happy to help you put together your dream trip.
