Great Migration safaris of Serengeti National Park.
The Great Migration of Serengeti National Park is among the most breathtaking animal events in nature. Over two million wildebeests, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, annually make a migratory circle through the expansive grasslands of northern Tanzania and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara ecosystem. This nonstop travel in quest of new grazing and water sources is popularly known as the Great Wildebeest Migration, which is the centrepiece of many Tanzania safari adventures.
Rather than being a single event that takes place once a year, the Great Migration is a continuous movement influenced by rainfall patterns and the growth of grass. Tourists planning African wildlife tours who grasp the concept of the migration can let that knowledge guide them in figuring out the most suitable time and place to witness this magnificent creation of nature.
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is the biggest land animal migration on our planet. It mostly features:
- More than 1.5 million wildebeests
- About 300,000 zebras
- Thousands of Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles
The animals travel in a clockwise direction through the Serengeti ecosystem, thus covering a distance of 800 to 1,000 kilometres annually. The migration is a natural phenomenon of instinct and survival as the animals follow the seasonal rains that bring forth the grasses with the highest nutritional value.
Such an event also attracts the big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, apart from other predators such as hyenas and crocodiles, thus becoming one of the most magnificent wildlife displays of the African continent.
The Migration Cycle Throughout the Year
The Great Migration isn’t limited to a certain spot in Serengeti National Park. Instead, it moves to different places in the course of the four seasons.
January to March – Calving Season (Southern Serengeti)
The start of the year finds the herds congregated in the southern part of the Serengeti and the Ndutu plains. This time is the calving season, during which about 500,000 wildebeest calves are born over just a few weeks.
Short and nutrient-rich grass due to recent rain covers the ground here, making perfect feeding spots for the young ones. Still, the appearance of such defenceless calves is bound to attract predators, and as a result of that, predator-prey confrontations become frequent. This season is therefore a good time for both photographing and experiencing the drama of nature.
April to May – Movement Toward Central and Western Serengeti
As the long rains persist, the herds start heading northwest toward the central Serengeti and Western Corridor. At such a time, the scenery is saturated in greenery and spotlessly beautiful, while the number of tourists is low, giving visitors a sense of solitude.
Even if the raindrops turn some of the roads muddy, the time spent looking at animals will definitely be worthwhile.
June to July – Western Corridor and Grumeti River Crossings
When the dry season is just around the corner, the migration comes to the Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park. At this point, the animals have to cross the Grumeti River, where the enormous Nile crocodiles are lurking.
These river crossings arespectacular,r although less regular than the Mara Riverones,s which are held later during the year.
July to September – Northern Serengeti and Mara River Crossings
This phase of the Great Migration is the most well-known one. The herds are going north to the Mara River, where they encounter high, steep banks and turbulent water flows.
The river crossing is the highlight of the Great Migration, and footage of this cataclysmic event is usually aired globally. The struggle for life and death situations unfolds when thousands of wildebeest congregate for a plunge in the river while a few crocodiles and other predators watch patiently for their next meal.
Those who are lucky enough to witness these scenes consider it the best time to go for a Serengeti migration safari.
October to December – Hang Out in Southern Serengeti
The herds, after their stay in the northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara of Kenya, through the Serengeti, start their way back to the southern Serengeti as the short rains come in November. They go through the eastern and central Serengeti before they settle in the southern plains for the next calving season.
What Makes the Great Migration So Extraordinary
Here are some reasons why the Great Migrationis as one-of-a-kind experience:
- A continuous, natural cycle
- The largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world
- A major contributor to the Serengeti ecosystem’s balance
- A prime opportunity to witness predator-prey dynamics
This migration is a way of life that has been going on for thousands of years, allowing the Serengeti ecosystem to prosper. Fertilising of the land, seed dispersal and grassland maintenance are some of the actions that benefit the ecosystem.
A glimpse of the Great Migration is surely bound to leave safari lovers with a deep understanding of Tanzania’s natural beauty.
Best Time to See the Great Migration
There is no single best time to see the Great Migration; it depends on what the traveller wants to experience.
- For calving season: January to February
- For Grumeti River crossings: June to July
- For Mara River crossings: July to September
- For fewer crowds and greener scenery: March to May
Each season offers a different perspective on the migration.
Where to Stay to Witness the Migration
When making a migration safari, location is paramount. There is a wide range of accommodation from elegant luxury tented camps to mobile camps and mid-range lodges, all within a lifeline of the herds.
To attend the calving season, one can take a tented camp in the Southern Serengeti, while lodges in the northern Serengeti give access to the Mara River crossings. Most safari operators change the route based on the season to consolidate the wildlife viewing opportunities.
The Influence of the Weather on the Migration
Herds move in accordance with the rainfall pattern. They track the fresh growth of grass that follows the rains. Whenever water and food become scarce in a certain area, the herds will move to fresh pastures without any hesitation.
Due to slight changes in rainfall each year, the exact timing can change. However, the general movement in a circular direction doesn’t vary.
Great Migration Safari Activities
Travellers have the chance to explore the migration in various ways, such as:
While on a game drive in custom 4×4 vehicles, a traveller can get really close to the huge herds and their predators.
The hot air balloon safaris give the magnificent view from above of thousands of animals moving in the vast plains at dawn.
The most intense river crossing photo scenes can be captured while on a guided photography safari.
How to Organise a Great Migration Safari
Maximise the migration experience by:
- Booking your accommodation in advance, especially if you intend to travel in July or September
- Picking camps close to the location of the current herds
- Considering flexible itineraries that cover multiple regions
- Trekking the full northern Tanzania route by including both the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Most visitors access Serengeti National Park through Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, then continue with either a domestic flight or road transfer to the park.
Conclusion
The Great Migration of Serengeti National Park is regarded as one of the most amazing wildlife phenomena in Africa. It’s the very heartbeat of nature’s movement, survival and renewal. Seeing thousands of calves being born on the southern plains, or watching herds crossing crocodile-infested rivers in the north, is an experience that stays with you forever.
Anyone planning to visit Tanzania on a safari should consider the Great Migration, as it gives the chance to have wildlife encounters like no other, and it is also a great way to get deep into the beauty of the wild African nature.
