July October. In the late fall and winter, the herds move back towards the Serengeti chasing the rainy season and the process begins again. They are related to oryxes and gazelles. The Great Wildebeest Migration is rarely in the Masai Mara Kenya;the herds only ever venture there as an extension of their grazing lands in the northern point of Tanzania if they need to for fresh pastures. Annually, an estimated 250,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebras die en route as a result of predators, exhaustion, thirst or disease. The best places to stay to watch the migrating wildebeest tackle the Mara River include Kichwa Tembo Camp, Bateleur Campand Sayari Mara Camp. Making sure that you're in the right place at the right time is key; so in this article, we take a look at the best locations and seasons for viewing the migration inKenya and Tanzania. The depth of the river makes drowning a distinct possibility for many wildebeest and there are plenty of crocodiles to take advantage of their distress. Brief overview. More, More information about when the best time is to visit each country More, We work with every reputable lodge in Tanzania and offer completely transparent pricing More, We are always looking for bright and well travelled graduates, feel free to contact us More, Have a look at Tanzania Odyssey in the media and information for journalists. You can see the Great Migration in Tanzania year round, whilst the best months to see action in Kenya tend to be September and October. As the migration is in a circular motion around the This spectacular event is mainly cast by about two millio This is surely one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. If you're lucky, you'll be able to watch as thousands of zebra and wildebeest throw themselves into the plunging waters, attempting to reach the opposite bank without falling foul of the waiting Nile crocodiles. UK-based safari company Travel Butlers also offers several migration itineraries. 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 the Serengeti anyway July October: This is when the wildebeest are in the northern Serengeti plains, and you have a chance of seeing up to thousands crossing the great Mara River. Crocodile kills and hordes of panicked animals mean that the crossings are not for the faint-hearted; however, they undoubtedly offer someof Africa's most dramatic wildlife encounters and are particularly rewarding for photographers. As the sight of the wildebeest crossing the so dramatic, it is considered by many the most desirable time to see the migration. One of the best places to stay isSerengeti Serena Lodge, which is both central and easily accessible. Gradually they spread west across these plains, then around April The spectacle of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle thronging across the plain is a sight in itself, while the sudden bounty of available food attracts a bevy oficonic predators. Other than during the August to October period when the migration is in Kenya, Tanzania is the place to be for this natural wonder. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: the Complete Guide, Bonds Between Wildebeest and Zebra During the East African Migration, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: The Complete Guide, Where to Go in 2021: 10 Future Trips You Can Start Planning Now, Five of the Best Safari Itineraries in Tanzania, Top 10 Unmissable African Safari Destinations, Africa's Top 12 Safari Animals and Where to Find Them, Kenya Travel Guide: Essential Facts and Information, How to Travel Between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, East Africa's 10 Best Travel Destinations, Your Go to Guide for Traveling to Tanzania, How to Experience the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. It is otherwise known as Serengeti Migration or Wildebeest Migrationand it only takes place in two places: Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. Calving Of course, everyone in the They stay here through January, February and March, with most wildebeest calves born in a short window around February. In fact, many of Tanzania's smaller camps shut down due to impassable roads. Thomson Safaris guests never have to worry about missing the migration After each early morning game drive, you'll have the opportunity to attend interactive workshops on photographic techniques and post-processing, and to share and get feedback on your images. Kiwi photographer David Lloyd has been running dedicated photographic trips to the Maasai Mara since 2007. Camps along the rivermake for an incredible safari experience at this time. April - May: The herds begin to migrate west and north to the grassier plains and woodland of the Serengetis Western Corridor. His 8-day itineraries are specifically geared towards photographers hoping to get the best possible shots of the migration, and are led by full-time wildlife photographers. Standing out as one of the most spectacular wonders of the natural world, the Great Migration is an annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores migrating clockwise through the Serengeti in Tanzania It runs from June to November, and focuses on two of Tanzania's most rewarding national parks. Our family of three (a couple with college graduated daughter) would like to spend around 10 days in Tanzania, in August 2020, for a Safari with an interest of pursuing the great migration Before they get to the lush plains of the Mara, they have to make another river crossing. Great Migration Tours & Trips in Tanzania Find a Great Migration trip that explores Tanzania. Between January and March, the animals converge at the Ngorongoro Conservation area in Tanzania, where grass and water are What is the Great Migration? The headline attraction, without a doubt, is the Great Migration. Every year, millions of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope migrate across the mighty plains of East Africa in search of better grazing. Their journey runs in a clockwise circle, covers some 1,800 miles/2,900 kilometers and is notoriously fraught with peril. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime safari in Tanzania during the annual Great Migration and enjoy deluxe lodges and a remarkable tented camp. The story begins with the wildebeest calving season in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Southern Serengeti plains, where the wildebeest begin to congregrate together from December. This is just after the 'short' rainy season, so the grass here is rich and ideal to support the young. Each year, almost two million wildebeest and 20 000 plains game migrate from Tanzania's Serengeti to the south of Kenya's Masai Mara in search of lush The Serengeti National Park is a Tanzanian national park in the Serengeti ecosystem in the Mara and Simiyu regions. This is calving season, and an excellent time for viewing newborn babies; while big cat sightings (and kills)are common. September - November: The Mara plains are filled to the brim with large herds, naturally followed by predators. June: As the rains stop, the wildebeest and zebra gradually start moving north and individual groups begin to congregate and form much larger herds. In fact, the Great Migration is an endless movement of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles searching for food and mating partners. Use the information below as a general guideline. You'll also have the chance to see some of Tanzania's other highlights, including the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park (famous for its tree-climbing lions) and Olduvai Gorge. December - March: At this time of year, the herds congregate in theSerengeti andNgorongoro areas ofnorthern Tanzania, which are made lush by the annual rains. Some of the best places to stay while the migration is in the Mara include Governors' Campand Mara Serena Safari Lodge. River crossings are especially dangerous. Tanzania is a seasonal destination. Our favorite is the Waiting for the Drama to Unfurl itinerary, a 3-night fly-in trip that takes you straight to the heart of the action in Kenya's Maasai Mara. Wildebeest, also called gnus, are members of the antelope family. Other recommended options include Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp, Migration Camp and Kirawira Camp. O. ne of the most spectacular things nature has to offer and the basis for countless TV documentaries during this annual migration in the Away from the river banks, the migration can be just as exciting. Here you have a chance to experience the so famous mara-river departure Select a departure Feb 14 - 25, 2021 I have been reading through this forum in the past weeks and got some idea in planning a Safari for August 2020. Due to its phenomenal movement not to mention all the action that happens in between, the Great Migration is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. A lot of visitors will tell you that this part of the year is the best to see the true beauty of Great Really its a yearlong search for food, water and You'll spend the first four nights at beautifulLamaiSerengetilodge in the far north of the Serengeti, venturing out each day in search of the best migration action. 2021 Tanzania Odyssey, an Odyssey Travels Company. The Migration in Tanzania December - March: At this time of year, the herds congregate in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro areas of northern Tanzania, which are made lush by the annual It happens all year long, all over Tanzania. This time it's the Mara River, and that too is filled with hungry crocodiles. The path that the wildebeest take follows the rains north, leading them from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, covering some 1,000 miles. A wildebeest can grow to 2.4 meters (8 feet) in length, and weigh up to 270 kilograms (600 pounds). It may be a little daring to say that it is the greatest spectacle that We are planning on going to Tanzania at the end of June 2021. Along with the river crossings, this is a real highlight of the wildebeests journey and a fabulous time to see the herds congregate on the dramatic sweeping plains of the south. Each year close to two millionwildebeest, zebra and other antelope gather up their young and start the long trek north from Tanzania's Serengeti National Parkto Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reservein search of greener pastures. The southern Ndutu and Salei plains arebest for spottinglarge herds during this time of year. December March: Currently the wildebeest are in the southern area of the Serengeti, more specifically in Ndutu which is actually in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and it is calving season. It is estimated that almost two million animals take part in the migration across the Serengeti in Tanzania The Western Serengeti is the best place to watch this stage of the migration unfold. Two of the Tanzanian itineraries also take you to the Ngorongoro Crater, known for its incredible scenery and amazing diversity of wildlife. The mobile nature of the migration means that planning a trip around the spectacle can be tricky, however. Three of them are based in Tanzania, and include trips to the Serengeti and Grumeti reserves (both migration hot spots) followed by a Zanzibar beach vacation. The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is the annual movement of over 2 million wildebeests across the Serengeti and Mara ecosystem and is considered one of the 8 natural wonders of the world.. During the great wildebeest migration in Tanzania The Great Migration is the movement of great herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles across the plains of the Serengeti. Wildebeest and Wilderness is a 7-night itinerary offered by boutique travel company The Safari Specialists. They move between the grasslands of Kenyas Masai Mara National Reserve and the sprawling plains of Tanzanias Serengeti National Park, plotting a course determined by the amount of fresh grass available. Email: [emailprotected] The great wildebeest migration is a year-long affair. The Great Migration cycle breaks up into the following periods: December-April We can find the main calving grounds in the area southeast of Seronera: typical Serengeti plains stretch all the Wildebeest typically inhabit the Serengeti plains of southeastern Africa Wildebeest Migration | Great Migration Serengeti | Tanzania After crossing the Grumeti River in Tanzania,the wildebeest and zebra head to Kenya's Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle. We thought we had planned this so that we could catch a part of the Great Wildebeast Migration, however, we're During the short rains of November, the wildebeest migration is best viewed from Kleins Camp, while campsites in the Lobo area are also good. NB: The migration is a natural event that changes slightly each year in both timing and location. Ruaha is known for its big catand African wild dog sightings, ensuring that you get a second chance at seeing the predators of the migration in action. The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania. At Olduvai Gorge, you will be given a private tour of the world-famous archeological sitewhere Homo habilis was first discovered. You'll stay at a camp on the Mara River, near one of the key river crossing sites. Every year, the Kenya and Tanzania plains host one of the most incredible natural spectacles on earth, the Great Migration. Even the drivers are trained in composition and lighting, and know how to get you into position for the best possible shots out in the bush. November is the short rains, April and May are the long rains and as such the grass is green in these months across the Serengeti, so the wildebeest are more dispersed than in the prime time of July October and December March. Seasonal rains makeit difficult to follow the herds during this stage of their migration. animals make their way across Tanzania and Kenya through African plains February is the only time of year when you are almost guaranteed to see the big herds all together as they always come south for calving season. Overtwo million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of green pasture, in a regular pattern. This annual journey is known as the Great Migration, and to witness it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should top the bucket list of every safari enthusiast. This is also mating season for the migrating wildebeest. More, Tel: +44 (0) 20 8704 1216 (UK) or 1866 356 4691 (USA) You can see the Great Migration in Tanzania all year round they migrate in a circular motion around the Serengeti National Park as such it is an ongoing event. National Geographic's On Safari: Tanzania's Great Migration itinerary is a 9-day adventure that takes you deep into the northern or southern Serengeti, depending on the season and the movementof the herds. 5 The Mews, 6 Putney Common SW15 1HL, UK More, Updating you with all the latest on beach & bush in Tanzania More. It is famous and well known for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 250,000 zebra and for its numerous Nile crocodile and honey badger.That migration is the largest remaining unaltered animal migration. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs follow the herds, giving safari-goers an excellent chance of seeing these superb hunters in action. You'll spend your nights at the tentedIlkeliani Camp, located in between the Talek and Mara Rivers. The Great Migration in Tanzania. July: The herds reach their first big obstacle, the Grumeti River. The high point of the migration: the large herds gather with fear and urgency on the banks of the river Grumeti. Herds gather in their thousands to forge the waters of the Grumeti River in Tanzania and the Mara River in Tanzania and Kenya, at both points running a gauntlet of strong currents and lurking crocodiles. The Grumetican get deep in places, especially if the rains have been good. August: The grasses of the western Serengeti are turning yellow and the herds continue north. The animals, pursued by depredators, face the river and its crocodiles until all of We guarantee you the best trip for your time of the year and budget as well as financial security. How many wildebeest in the great migration? The Great Wildebeest Migration - the annual migration of giant herds of grazers across Northern Tanzania and Kenya is a truly spectacular event. During the day, game drives led by an expert Maasai guide will take you in search of the herds, with the main goal being to catch the spectacle of a Mara River crossing. There is absolutely nothing like it on earth. If you feel like crossing international borders on your migration adventure, there's an itinerary that combines wildebeest viewing in the Serengeti and Grumeti reserves with a trip to Mozambique's Quirimbas Archipelago;and another that heads into Kenya to the migration epicenter that isthe Maasai Mara. Amazingly, its estimated that 500,000 calves are born here during a tiny 4-6 week window across February-March. Award-winning luxury safari company Mahlatini offers no fewer than five migration itineraries. Thus, you dont get as many of those condensed big herds which people get excited about. The second half of the trip takes you to remote Ruaha National Park, the largest national park (and also one of the least visited) in Tanzania. Bucketlist experience. Recommended places to stay include Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Safari Camp, Lemala Ndutu Camp and any mobile tented camps in the area. There are 63 tours to choose from, that range in length from 3 days up to Pros: Around this time the wildebeest migration is around the northern plains of Serengeti national park. 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. The mass calving season attracts all kinds of pre November - December: The rains start in the south again and the herds begin their long trek back down to Tanzania's Serengeti plainsto give birth to their young. If you're lucky, you might see the wildebeest crossing the Mara River, while the optional hot-air ballon ride above the Serengeti plains is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Below we will dissect where the wildebeest usually are at different times of the year. Each year around 1.5 million wildebeest begin the journey from Tanzania July (Early) October During this period, it is a dry season in Africa. Trekking via the south-central Seronera outskirts into the Western Corridor and Grumeti River arriving during the month of April to May and residing till June, and then finally towards the Because the Serengeti is one of the worlds oldest ecosystems, its possible the Great Migration December to April: These months find wildebeest and zebra herds scattered across the plains of the southern Serengeti and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. The Great Migration. People have been reviewing us positively for 20 years and we recently partnered with Trustpilot More, We have been organising trips to Tanzania since 1998. And as such, the demand and pricing of a trip depends on when you choose to visit.