The great wildebeest migration of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is often thought to be one of nature's most spectacular wildlife shows, with huge numbers of wildebeest - as well as zebra, Grant's gazelle, Thompson's gazelle, impala and eland - moving through the plains in seek of fresh grazing and better water. The timing of the migration depends entirely on local rainfall patterns, which vary each year, but a general pattern is reasonably predictable.
Although we don't offer any specific camping or luxury lodge safaris to see the migration, our Tanzania safaris to the central Serengeti pass through the areas where at certain times of year you are most likely to witness the migration.
From the end of December through to January, February and March, hundreds of thousands of animals graze in the short grasses of the southern Serengeti plain. This is peak calving season and thus attracts large numbers of predators, so while you are not likely to see herds on the move whilst on safari during these months, the sheer volume of wildlife on the Serengeti plains is impressive.
From the end of March through April and May, Tanzania's heavy rains begin to move northwards and so the migration slowly shifts northwest towards the central areas of the Serengeti National Park.
From May through to September the migration moves up to the Western Corridor - crossing the Grumeti River and providing an annual feast for the resident crocodiles! October sees the migration enter Kenya's Masai Mara before the herds begin to return southwards towards Tanzania and the fresh green pastures of the southern Serengeti, and the cycle starts again…
The camping and luxury lodge safaris to Tanzania listed below offer the opportunity to view the wildlife migration in some area of the Serengeti National Park during some months of the year. Talk to us at Wild about Africa for more information.
