The Great Migration Safari

On a continent dominated by natural cycles, for pure drama and ground-shaking scale there are few events to match the African Great Migration. More than one and a half million wildebeest, a quarter of a million zebras, and hundreds of thousands of other grazing animals travel thousands of miles across the Serengeti plains on a continuous journey in search of fresh grasslands and safe havens to birth and raise their young.

Punctuated with dramatic scenes, such as crossings of the Mara River, and featuring some of Africa’s most iconic characters, it is an ideal focal point for any safari. But, owing to its sheer size and cyclical nature, it can be hard to know when and where is the best time and place to see the Great Migration. Our Destinations Experts offer tailored advice and specific tips to optimise your itinerary and ensure you the best chance of witnessing one of Africa’s greatest spectacles.

What is the Great Migration and what will you see?

The Great Migration is a cyclical journey taken throughout the year by approximately 1.7 million wildebeest, as well as 250,000 zebras and 450,000 gazelles, on a clockwise trajectory around the Serengeti National Park and into the Masai Mara. Since the Serengeti is one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet, it is possible that the Migration has been taking place for hundreds of thousands of years with very little human interference.

The magnificent herds follow the seasonal rainfall that brings the fresh grass that sustains their numbers and are therefore constantly moving across the landscape, rarely stopping in one place for more than a few weeks. The herds are fluid and will often break apart as groups splinter off in search of different grasslands, informed by instinctive memory or clues in the climate, and then reconverge at key points on their journey such as river crossings or calving grounds. These stages of the journey are often the most dramatic, not least owing to the sheer scale, but also because they feature some of Africa’s top predators, from the nomadic prides of lions and hyena packs that stalk the new-born calves, to the crocodiles that lie in wait along the Mara River.

When is the best time to see the Great Migration?

There isn’t necessarily a best time to see the Great Migration, since it is a year-round phenomenon, however there are key stages throughout the year that you might want to witness and plot your safari around. Therefore, here is a breakdown of these stages, month by month, to help you plan your visit.

January, February + March

The Migration begins – if one can find a beginning for this endless circular journey – at the start of the year when the great herds gather in the southern Serengeti near Lake Ndutu to calve. After months of rain, the newly ripened grasslands offer the perfect conditions to raise their young and this is when you will see some 80,000 infant wildebeest stumbling their first steps into the world. It is also when predatory groups of lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas stalk the herds, eager to pick off the vulnerable calves. Travelling during the calving season avoids the height of migration demand, offering a slightly quieter experience and better value, while still delivering exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly with the chance to see newborn animals.

April, May + June

The late spring and early summer sees the herds moving steadily west and north, across the savannah, searching out new sources of food as the southern grasslands are depleted. It also marks the beginning of the rutting season when male wildebeest compete for the chance to mate. Throughout the western corridor along the Mbalageti River one can see vast numbers of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, as well as the sedentary residents of the savannah such as lions, giraffes, buffalo, and troops of baboons. The wetter conditions make this one of the quieter times of the year too so you are less likely to have to share your safari with anyone else.

July, August + September

This period marks the busiest season for safari on the Serengeti and arguably the most dramatic scenes of the entire Migration. This is when the herds, having reached the westernmost point of their journey near Lake Victoria, turn north and begin making their famous – and treacherous – crossing over the Mara River. This is where the most iconic images of the Great Migration can be seen as thousands gather by the murky, crocodile-infested waters, sometimes for days at a time, waiting for the perfect moment to surge forward in a mad dash for the opposite bank. Unsurprisingly, this spectacle attracts by far the most visitors so prices can be at their highest at this time, but it is worth it to see one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

October, November + December

Once the grasses of the Maasai Mara have been eaten up, the herds begin the long journey to their calving grounds in the south, through the central Serengeti grasslands at the start of the rainy season. Whilst this time doesn’t feature the white-water thrills of the summer river crossings, the sight of vast herds spread out across the savannah and the constant presence of prowling lions and hyenas provides more than enough excitement. That, coupled with the fact that this is one of the quieter periods, can make it a perfect time to view the Great Migration.

Where to see the Great Migration

The Great Migration takes place across an area spanning approximately 15,000 square kilometres, including both the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The herds can be seen at different points at different times across this huge clockwise route; in the early months of the year they appear in the south and west where they calve and then begin the long journey north, whilst in the summer months they can be seen crashing through the hazardous Mara River to reach the rich grasslands on the other side.

The famous Mara River crossing

The most iconic scenes of the Great Migration can be witnessed in the summer as the great herds head north and commence the dangerous Mara River crossing. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather on the banks, jostling each other, the ones behind eager to cross, the ones in front looking nervously at the muddy brown waters before them where crocodiles lurk beneath the surface, waiting for their next meal to crash towards the steep banks on the other side.

Beginning in July as the first of the herds start to ford the Mara, the crossings grow in intensity as more and more animals arrive and wait for their moment to cross. Whilst one is never guaranteed to see a crossing, since they happen suddenly and you have to be at the right place at the right time, just witnessing the convergence of thousands of animals at these choke points along the river is enough to take the breath away. Kogatende in northern Tanzania is a good place to be early in the season as this is where the first crossings tend to take place. Later on, from August through to October the Mara Triangle in southern Kenya is where much of the intense action can be seen.

Best luxury lodges for the Great Migration

Alex Walker’s Serian offers a selection of safari camps throughout the route of the Migration. Kusini in the southern Serengeti is perfect for viewing calving season at the start of the year, whilst Lamai and Nkorombo will get you up close to the Mara River crossings and the Maasai Mara grasslands in the late summer and early autumn.

Mara Plains Camp is situated on the Olare Motorogi Conservancy and is therefore much quieter. This often means bigger herds and you aren’t far from points on the Mara River where crossings take place. If you are looking for a serene safari experience of the Migration between August and October, this is your place.

Nomad Serengeti Camp sits in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti and, whilst it doesn’t offer views of the Mara River crossings, it has some of the best guides in the business for tracking the westward movements of the herds during their spring rutting season. Plus, the wetter weather during this period means fewer people and better rates.

Why book with c+l?

We, at cazenove+loyd, know the best local hosts, insiders and guides who will take you off the beaten path and under the skin of your desired country. You can trust our knowledgeable team of specialists to design the perfect bespoke itinerary for your luxury vacation. Get in touch to speak to an expert and start planning your next adventure now.