Experience The Annual Great Migration from East Africa

Millions of antelope, including zebras and wildebeest, travel across East Africa’s vast plains each year in quest of better pasture. Every safari enthusiast should put seeing this yearly migration, also known as the Great Migration, at the top of their bucket list since it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

However, because of the migration’s mobility, it can be challenging to arrange a trip around the spectacle. The key is to be in the right place at the right time, so in this post, we’ll look at the ideal spots and times of year to see the migration in Tanzania and Kenya.

The Migration: What Is It?

In quest of greener pastures, about two million wildebeest, zebras, and other antelope begin their yearly journey north from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Their trip is renowned for being dangerous, traveling in a clockwise circuit and covering a distance of about 1,800 miles or 2,900 kilometers. An estimated 250,000 wildebeests perish on the journey each year.

River crossings pose a particular risk. Thousands of herds congregate to wade the waters of the Mara River in Kenya and the Grumeti River in Tanzania, both of which have treacherous currents and crocodiles hiding in their shadows. The crossings are not for the faint of heart, as crocodile kills and swarms of scared animals make them dangerous, but they surely provide some of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife encounters.

The migration can be equally interesting when it happens away from the riverbanks. Thousands of wildebeest, zebra, eland, and gazelles swarm the plain in a sight unto itself, while a variety of recognizable predators are drawn to the sudden abundance of food. Following the herds are lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs, which increase the likelihood that safari visitors will witness a kill in progress.

Note: The migration is a yearly phenomenon that occurs naturally and varies slightly in terms of timing and place. Please refer to the details below as a general reference.

Tanzania’s Migration

December to March:

The herds gather in northern Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation areas during this time of year. It’s calving season, which makes it a great time to see newborns while also increasing the likelihood of large cat sightings and deaths.

At this time of year, the finest places to spot huge herds are the plains of Salei and the southern Ndutu. Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Safari Camp, Lemala Ndutu Camp, and any nearby mobile tented camps are suggested accommodations.

April and May:

The herds start their northward and westward migration to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti’s grasslands and forests. During this phase of their journey, it is challenging to follow the herds due to seasonal rains. In fact, impassable roads forced the closure of many of Tanzania’s smaller camps.

June:

The wildebeest and zebra gradually begin to migrate north when the rains end, and small groups start to assemble to become much bigger herds. Also, this is the time of year when the migratory wildebeest mate. The finest area to witness the migration in action is the Western Serengeti.

July:

The animals cross the Grumeti River, their first significant impediment. Certain areas of the Grumeti can reach rather deep, particularly after heavy rainfall. Many wildebeest run the risk of drowning due to the river’s depth, and crocodiles are present to prey on their vulnerability.

This is the perfect time of year for an amazing safari adventure from camps along the river. The centrally located and conveniently accessible Serengeti Serena Lodge is one of the best places to stay. Kirawira Camp, Migration Camp, and Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp are a few other suggested choices.

Kenya’s Migration
August:

The herds move north as the western Serengeti’s grasses turn yellow. The Mara Triangle and Kenya’s Lamai Wedge are the destinations for the wildebeest and zebra once they pass the Grumeti River in Tanzania. They must cross another river before they reach the verdant plains of the Mara.

This time, the Mara River is the scene, and crocodiles there are also ravenous. The nicest accommodations include Kichwa Tembo Camp, Bateleur Camp, and Sayari Mara Camp, where you may witness the migratory wildebeest crossing the Mara River.

Large herds of cattle swarm the Mara plains from September to November, naturally followed by predators. While the migration occurs in the Mara, Governors Camp and Mara Serena Safari Lodge are two of the best locations to stay.

November and December:

The herds set out on their arduous journey back down to Tanzania’s Serengeti plains to give birth to their young when the rains return to the south. The finest place to watch the wildebeest migration during November’s brief rains is from Klein’s Camp, however, there are also nice campsites around Lobo.