Bush Telegraph: Where To Go On A Great Migration Safari Throughout The Year
14 March 2025
The Great Migration is a year-round spectacle, with over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving across Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grazing. This natural phenomenon follows the rains, ensuring your client can experience a Great Migration safari at any time of the year.
To make the most of this journey, it’s essential to align your client’s safari with their interests—whether it’s witnessing dramatic river crossings, the predator-rich calving season, or a more exclusive experience. Here’s a month-by-month guide to help you choose the best time and place for their safari.
January – March: Calving Season in the Southern Serengeti
From late January through March, the herds congregate in the Ndutu Plains of the Southern Serengeti and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is calving season, when thousands of wildebeest are born daily, creating a spectacle of life and survival. There’s nothing quite like the sight of hundreds of thousands of newborn wildebeest taking their first steps amid stationary herds. Due to the heavy rains, we highly recommended ensuring your client backs waterproof items as there can be intense thunderstorms throughout the region. The abundance of vulnerable calves attracts predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, providing thrilling game-viewing opportunities for your client.
April – May: The Journey North Begins
As the rainy season comes to an end the ground dries, the herds begin their northward migration, moving through the Central Serengeti where they can graze and attend to their young. This period is less crowded, offering your client an exclusive safari experience with dramatic green landscapes, excellent wildlife sightings, and fewer vehicles.
Jun – October: The Famous Mara River Crossings
This is the peak season for witnessing the legendary Mara River crossings, as the herds move towards the northern Serengeti and cross into the Maasai Mara. The river crossings, considered by some to be the most exciting events of the Great Migration, usually start in July, but timing all depends on the rains. These crossings are intense, as the wildebeest face strong currents and large crocodiles. The Maasai Mara provides spectacular wildlife encounters, with big cat activity at its highest, making it a highlight for your client’s safari experience.
November – December: Returning South
After grazing in the Maasai Mara, The herds congregate on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and northernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area., offering excellent game-viewing opportunities before arriving back in the Southern Serengeti in time for calving season. This transitional period provides another chance for your client to witness the movement of the herds in a less crowded environment.
Plan the Perfect Great Migration Safari for Your Clients
A great migration safari is not just about timing—it’s about choosing the right location and experience to match your client’s travel style. Whether they prefer a luxury lodge, an intimate mobile camp, or an off-the-beaten-path conservancy, we can craft an itinerary that aligns with their expectations.
With over 14 years of experience in the industry, we work exclusively with agents and travel planners, ensuring a seamless and professional service tailored to your client’s needs for their great Migration Safari. We specialise in unique travel experiences to East Africa, leveraging our trusted and reliable network of key partners across the region.
Partner with us to offer seamless migration safaris, combining expert guiding, premium accommodations, and an in-depth understanding of East Africa’s ever-changing landscapes to provide your client with an unforgettable safari experience. Contact us today.
