How To Plan a Tailored Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari For First Timers
For First Timers that are craving for the bloody drama of the great migration that passes through the Serengeti and Mara Eco systems, it can be overwhelming to start planning a Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari because of a number of things including the choice of accommodation, the number of days to stay and how to get there among others. Planning a Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari in Tanzania requires you to book your Vacation very early in the year or a year in advance to ensure that you don’t miss out on accommodation and some time transportation since the migration takes place during the high season Months of June, July, August and September. Our Ultimate guide to planning a Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari provides tips to book your Wildebeest Migration Safari Vacation that occurs in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
The annual Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari in Tanzania goes through the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem as over 2 million animals including the wildebeest as well as zebra and gazelle follow the rains from region to region. The migrating herds undergo a number of challenges and hardships including attacks from predators and crocodiles that lie in wait at various river crossing points. The Migration goes through the south and central Seronera areas into the Western Corridor and arrive in Grumeti River during the month of April to May residing till June. Then Migrating herds then move towards the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya crossing the Crocodile infested Mara River around the Months of July and August all through to September and arriving in the Lobo and Loliondo areas in eastern part of Serengeti during the Months of October and November. The wildebeest Migration comes back to the southern part of Serengeti in the Ndutu calving grounds with arrivals starting around December staying till March (read more on when is the best time to visit Serengeti ).
The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari dates and timing entirely depends on the annual rains and availability of fresh pasture which may seasonally occur earlier or later in the year but the experience is worth the effort as you get to watch over 1 Million animals move across the Serengeti plains driven by instinct or necessity. The epic journey is one of violence and endurance as the Migrating herds battle forward through the lion infested kopjes and crocodile infested rivers.
All you need to know to plan an epic Serengeti Migration safari
-Book your Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Very early
Early booking is highly recommended because camps tend to fill up quickly especially during the Months of June to October which is a high season and a great time to view the popular river crossings in Grumeti and Mara River. It is better that you start planning and making inquiries in December or March or even a year in advance. However tourists should note that the Migrating herds can be seen all year-round and one can choose to see the calving season instead of the river crossings. Start Planning your Serengeti Migration Safari with Engabi Tours and Travel
-Choose the right Month for your Migration Safari and Number of Days to Stay:
There are no specific dates to witness the Wildebeest Migration crossings in Serengeti though the months June until early October provide high chances of witnessing the Natural wonder in either Grumeti River ( June) or the Mara River ( Mid July, August, September up to very early October) . We therefore recommend that you go for your Serengeti Migration Safari ( River Crossings) between the Months of June up to mid October though Serengeti National Park can be visited all year round. Tourists should consider a stay of 7 Days Serengeti Migration Safari minimum ( when Transfers are by Road from Arusha and if the Migration tour is combined with other Northern Circuit parks of Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater) or 3 Days Migration Safari minimum when one decides to fly to the Serengeti. Tourists may also consider combining the Migration Safari with Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda ( See here a sample Gorilla Trekking and Migration Safari Itinerary)
-Choose the right accommodation Camp:
Your place of accommodation matters a lot on your migration safari as it helps you to have wonderful experience and get the best views of the Natural wonder. The Migration Camps tend to be more luxurious and expensive due to the prime locations closer to the wildebeest crossings and we recommend an early booking for one to be able to secure the best camps in the best locations. Contact us for advise on the camp and availability. Other things to consider include what to pack and the travel requirements to enter Tanzania.
What is the Best Month to go for a Serengeti Migration Safari?
The Best Months to go for a Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari is from June-September as explained below:
June up to early July is traditionally the Grumeti River crossing period though the intensity and drama of the crossing depends on the water levels of Grumeti River which occasionally sees raised levels like the Mara River sees in July and August. Expect a rewarding experience in June as the herds will be spread out.
Late July marks the start of the Mara River crossings as well as mating season in the Serengeti and since it’s a dry season with a more arid Serengeti, the wildebeest herds begin moving faster in search of water and greener grass making their way across Grumeti River and Mara River where crocodiles are encountered.
August is arguably the best month to see the dramatic Mara River crossings in the Serengeti or Masai Mara and it’s the time the dry season kicks into overdrive. The herds are continuing their search for greener grass making their way across the crocodile infested Mara River.
September is one last chance to see the epic Mara River crossings in the Serengeti or Masai Mara and around this time its more hot and dry in both Serengeti and Masai Mara. Most of the wildebeests have already crossed into the greater Masai Mara area and are enjoying the lush green resources before venturing North wards.
Our Recommended Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages that may Inspire you!
3 Days Serengeti Migration Safari
The 3 Days Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari in Tanzania is a fly-in-fly-out Serengeti Safari package that takes you to view and experience that Great Migration Serengeti Mara River Crossing in the Kogatende Area North of Serengeti National Park. The 3 Days 2 nights Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari itinerary takes is recommended during the Months of late July, August through to September
7 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari
This 7 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari is a 1 Week Tanzania Itinerary that is designed specifically to increase your chance to see the great Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration (Mara river crossing) and is recommended in the Months of July, August, September and through to October. The 7 Days Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari will take you to both the Central Serengeti National Park (Seronera area) and the Kogatende area (Remote Northern Serengeti National Park) through the Lobo area (Area North of the Central Serengeti National Park) and it includes a visit to the Ngorongoro crater.
11 Days Combined Uganda Gorillas and Serengeti Migration Safari
Get to watch Mountain Gorillas and the famous Wildebeest Migration Mara River Crossing across the Mara River with this 11 Days Private Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Serengeti Safari in Uganda and Tanzania. This Gorilla Trekking and Wildebeest Migration Serengeti Safari is recommended during the Months of Late July, August, September all through to Early October and will involve flying from Arusha to Serengeti North and drive back to Arusha through Ngorongoro and Tarangire on your Tanzania leg of the trip.
12 Days Serengeti Migration and Gorilla Trekking Safari
The 12 Days Serengeti Migration and Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour to Tanzania and Uganda through Rwanda features two of East Africa’s Wildlife experiences, Gorilla Trekking and the great Wildebeest Migration specifically the Mara River Crossing. This memorable Great Wildebeest Migration Serengeti and Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour is recommended during the Months of late July, August and September as this is the time when the Migration head has reached the Kogatende Area in North Serengeti and has started or is already crossing the crocodile infested Mara river to Kenya’s Masai Mara.
13 Days Masai Mara, Serengeti and Gorilla Trekking Safari
The 13 Days Combined Masai Mara, Serengeti and Gorilla Trekking Safari offers tourists an ultimate African Safari in the World’s Wildlife and Primates Capitals of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The Masai Mara, Serengeti and Gorilla Trekking Safari takes you to witness two of Africa’s top wildlife encounters the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda and the Big Five animals combined with Mara River Wildebeest Migration Crossing in the famous Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Park. This Classic African Safari to Masai Mara, Serengeti and Bwindi National Parks will begin in Uganda’s via Kigali International Airport-Rwanda then you will head to Tanzania and finally finish it off from Masai Mara in Kenya and it will create a lifetime’s worth of memories for you.
Ready to start planning your Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari in 2025 or 2026, we have great and professional safari experts available and ready to help you design a unique safari experience itinerary.
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