The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world, and it happens every year in Tanzania. Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other grazing animals move from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and back again, in search of fresh grazing land and water.
Witnessing the Great Migration is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed on your Tanzania safari. Here are some tips to help you plan your trip:
With these tips in mind, you can plan a once-in-a-lifetime Tanzania safari experience and witness the spectacular Great Migration for yourself.
The Great Migration safari is a natural spectacle that takes place year-round, as the herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals traverse vast distances in search of food and water. Depending on your preferences and the specific aspects of the migration that you want to witness, there are certain times of the year that may be better suited for your safari. With four distinct seasons, each with its own unique highlights, there's always something incredible to see.
To help you plan your journey, we've put together a month-by-month breakdown of the Great Migration. Whether you want to witness the breathtaking river crossings or the newborn calves taking their first steps, there are countless unforgettable moments waiting for you in the Serengeti. So whether you choose to visit during the calving season in the south or follow the herds as they make their way north, get ready for an experience you'll never forget.
Witnessing the Great Migration is an awe-inspiring experience that can be enjoyed throughout the year. While historical migration patterns can provide some indication of where the herds may be at a given time, the unpredictability of rainfall - which is crucial for the growth of the grasses that the wildebeest rely on - means that the herds' movements can be somewhat unpredictable.
At Asilia, our camps are situated along the migration route, which affords our guests the best possible opportunity to observe this natural spectacle up close during their safari. Whether you're hoping to witness the mass calving of over 500,000 wildebeest in the southern Serengeti during the months of January through March, or catch a glimpse of the herds as they cross the Mara River during the dry season, our expert guides will help ensure that your experience of the Great Migration is both unforgettable and informed.
Learn more below about the different season of the Great Migration:
During January to March, the Great Migration continues with the herds congregating in the southern Serengeti and the westernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is the calving season, where an estimated 500,000 calves are born within a two- to three-week window in February. The southern plains are lush with fresh, sweet grasses during December and January, providing abundant grazing for the wildebeest in preparation for the birth of the new calves. In February, over 80% of fertile female wildebeest drop their calves within a few weeks of each other, resulting in over 500,000 tiny wildebeest dotting the plains. This draws a staggering number of predators eager to prey on the vulnerable newborns. In March, the wildebeest are still occupying the southern area of the park, but they start preparing to move north as the plains dry out.
As the rainy season draws to a close, the Great Migration sets out on its journey northwards towards the central Serengeti, where lush green grass awaits them. The wildebeest move slowly, stopping to graze and nurture their young along the way. The mating season also begins, as male wildebeest battle fiercely for a mate. The journey continues as some herds veer westwards, crossing the Grumeti River and entering the Western Corridor.
In April, the migration is in full swing, as the herds make their way steadily through the central region of the park, with occasional stops to graze. By May, the impressive columns of wildebeest, stretching for several kilometers, can be seen flooding the Moru Kopjes in the central area. In the first half of June, large numbers of wildebeest congregate on the southern banks of the Grumeti River in the Western Serengeti, gearing up to face their first obstacle - crossing the treacherous river, teeming with crocodiles.
As the dry season approaches, the Great Migration gains momentum and the herds start their journey north towards the Northern Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. The highly-anticipated river crossings, considered the most thrilling event of the migration, usually begin in July but the exact timing is influenced by the unpredictable rains.
In the Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara, massive herds of wildebeest can be found on a daily basis, making dramatic river crossings at the Mara and Talek rivers. Later in the year, the herds will cross back to the Serengeti from the Mara and head south towards the now fertile southern Serengeti. The herds can travel vast distances in a single day, and by early December, they start returning to Ndutu to calve, marking the beginning of the whole migration cycle once again.
August is a crucial month for the wildebeest, as they face the second challenge of their trek: the Great Mara River. Many will perish, but the thousands of calves that are born more than make up for the losses. In September, the herds concentrate mostly in the Maasai Mara, the northernmost point of their journey, but many remain in the Serengeti. By October, the wildebeest must face the swollen waters of the Mara River again as they cross on their journey back south. November brings the short rains, driving the herds down south to the lush grasses of the Serengeti, completing the yearly cycle of the Great Migration.