The Great Migration of Tanzania is one of the natural wonders of the world. The annual migration of giant herds of grazers across Northern Tanzania and Kenya is truly a spectacular event. Over two million wildebeest, Zebras and gazelles move through Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of green pastures in a regular pattern.

What is actually Great Migration?

It is first of all an ongoing event, which never ends. Great migration is a circular grazing path determined by the availability of food. An estimated 1.4 million wild beasts and hundreds of thousands of Zebras start in Serengeti in January, wherein they give birth to their young ones. The grass is still short in this part of Serengeti, making it safe for the newborns from the lurking predators. As the rainy season ends, the herds move flowing the rivers on their way to Masai Mara in Kenya. 

The herds take great risk inn crossing the crocodile infested waters and reach Msai Mara in Kenya by the summer. In the late fall and winter, the herds move back to Serengeti chasing the rainy season and the process begins again. It is a process of searching, food water and safety. This is good time to watch the beauty and drama of the animals.

The Wildlife

The major actors are the wild beast and almost 1.4 million of them. Wildebeests are only part of the great migration. Travelling along with them are hundreds of thousands of Zebras. Zebras are helpful in remembering the course of the migration and are smart enough to watch out for hungry river predators. Water is vital, which is where the wildebeests help the Zebra by virtue of their acute sense of smell. As the herds pass through the areas of Tanzania and Kenya, they trample across lands belonging to any number of other animals from elephants to Lions and leopards to Cheetah. If you go on Safari during the great migration, you will have a view of all the animals that you would like to see. This is precisely what is called a perfect natural wonder. The very fact that Zebras travel along with the wildebeests is a wonderful fact. We humans have a lot to learn from this great migration and it certainly teaches us the value of coexistence.

Best time to see the Great Migration

You can see the migration in Tanzania all the year round. They migrate in a circular motion around the Serengeti National Park; as such it is an ongoing process. The migration is rarely in Kenya’s Masai Mara. The herds only ever venture there as an extension of their grazing lands in northern part of Tanzania, if they need fresh pastures. You can only find the migration in Kenya within a few months of the year when they head towards the border, and even then, most of the herds are still mulling around the northern parts of Serengeti.

July – October: This is when the wildebeests are in the northern Serengeti Plains and you will get a chance to see thousands crossing the great Mara River. This is one of the most ideal times to visit the place as you can see the dramatic migration. 

December – March: Currently the wildebeest are in the southern part of Serengeti, more especially in Ndutu, which is actually in the Ngorongoro conservation area and it is calving season. Along with the river crossings, this is a real highlight of the wildebeest’s journey and a fabulous time to see the herds congregate on the dramatic sweeping plains of the south. February is the only time of the year when you are almost guaranteed to see the big herds all together as they come south for calving season.

The rest of the year: In November, April, May and June, the migration is “in between” locations and as such these months are slightly transitional times to see the herds. In November you get the short rains, and in April and May you get the long rains, as such the grass is green across the Serengeti, so the wildebeest are more dispersed than in the prime time of July –October and December – March. Thus you don’t get as many of those big herds.

Where to Stay:

An important aspect of any great Safari is where you spend the night. Tented camps and lodges are an integral part of any safari. You can try staying at the Luxurious sanctuary retreats tented camps, which are located in some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Tanzania. Sanctuary Retreats also has mobile tented camps devoted entirely to the great migration. If you want to explore the grasslands and wildlife of mighty Serengeti, you may even try Sanctuary Kusini Home. However, if you want a more classic experience, you may try Four Seasons, Serengeti, that has a remarkable access to the wildlife of Serengeti. Wherever you stay while on Safari, don’t underestimate the importance of a great lodge or camp in your overall great migration experience.