Scroll for more
There are wildlife spectacles, and then there is the Great Migration. Great Migration safaris to the Serengeti or Masai Mara must be one of the must-sees on any African safari. Imagine thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra stretching to every horizon, predators following close behind, and dramatic river crossings where crocodiles lie in wait.
The Great Migration unfolds across the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, spanning Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Every year, more than a million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, follow the rains in search of fresh grazing. Their journey ignores national borders, moving through protected reserves and community conservancies where wildlife and local Maasai communities have coexisted for generations.
One of the most common questions we hear is, "When should I go?" The answer depends entirely on which chapter of the migration you want to witness. Whether it's the remarkable calving season on the southern Serengeti plains or the heart-stopping river crossings further north, every stage offers a completely different safari experience.
We'll help you choose the right location, the right timing and the right camps to maximise your chances of seeing the migration at its best.
Talk of 'peak season' and 'high season' gives the impression that there must also be an 'off-season' for the wildebeest migration. And indeed many lodges do close during the long rains of April into May. But the migration is a constant pattern of movement.
The cycle of life begins in the sweet grass plains in the southern part of the Serengeti, where animals give birth between December and March. The plains teem with game and well-fed predators due to the calving season. But as the dry season approaches, the herds must move north in search of water and better grazing. Between July and August many of them make the dangerous river crossings over the Grumeti and Mara rivers into the fresh green grasses of the Masai Mara. From August to October the greatest concentrations of animals are in the Masai Mara They then start returning southwards back into the Serengeti of Tanzania.
Our Africa experts follow the migration year after year. Let us help you choose the perfect timing and camps for an unforgettable Great Migration safari. Contact us!
It depends on what you’d like to experience. River crossings usually occur between July and October, while calving season takes place from late January to March in the southern Serengeti.
Yes. Many itineraries combine the Serengeti and Masai Mara, although a single-country safari can also offer exceptional migration viewing.
No. The migration is driven by rainfall and animal behaviour, so crossings can never be predicted with certainty. Staying several nights in the right location greatly improves your chances.
If you have missed the first part of Peter’s trip report on Kenya – you can have a read here:
READ MORE
The safari – and photographs In my first post on tips for safari photography, I focused on tips for preparing
READ MORE
The Serengeti & the Great Migration To answer the question of when is the best time to see the wildebeest
READ MORE
Only the best African travel advice, tidbits and tours. No nonsense.
