The Great Wildebeest Migration
Tanzania’s renowned Serengeti National Park provides an amazing experience for travelers on the Serengeti Migration Safari. This yearly event, which features millions of zebras, wildebeest, and other herbivores, is recognized as one of the biggest wildlife migrations on the planet. The movement is driven by the desire for more fertile pastures and water sources, and it crosses enormous geographical expanses.
While on this safari, guests are in for an amazing show of the magnificence of nature, with herds of cattle rushing across wide-open plains, traversing perilous rivers, and coming across ferocious predators like lions and crocodiles. The Serengeti Migration Safari is a must-see for both nature lovers and wildlife aficionados since it offers a rare chance to observe the circle of life in the animal kingdom.
For those lucky enough to experience this amazing safari journey, the unspoiled beauty of the Serengeti combined with the breathtaking spectacle of the migration produces an experience that will never be forgotten.
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The Great Serengeti Migration in detail
When planning your Serengeti safari you probably want to include seeing the Great Migration. So how do you ensure to be there when it happens? The long and short of it is that you can’t. It is important to realize that the decision of when to visit the Serengeti always involves an element of risk. We have detailed the Great Migration below, and this is what usually happens, but keep in mind that there are no guarantees.
The annual migration of two million ungulates, wildebeest but also enormous groups of zebra and Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle and eland, through Serengeti National Park is the greatest wildlife spectacle of its type in Africa, and perhaps the world. Although variations occur from year to year, the Serengeti migration follows a reasonably predictable annual cycle, dictated by local rainfall patterns. 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 way to the Ndutu area near Ngorongoro. Triggering their move to this area are the short rains in November and December. The wildebeest stick around this area until the end of the long rains, end of April, early May. The delightful news is that this section of Serengeti National Park is easily accessible and that in this period the landscape becomes lush.
February is usually calving season in the Ndutu area and the southeastern plains: the very best time to visit this area. As wildebeest, zebra and other ungulates are so many, and give birth to so many calves, the spectacle works as a magnet for predators. As early as March or April the herd may move again in search of greener pastures. Seeing the actual migration in this period is more difficult, but chances are that you will encounter very large herds on the move.
MAY – JULY
This is the period that the wildebeest, after having feasted on the short green grasses of the southeastern Serengeti and after having giving birth to their offspring, start getting ready for their 800-kilometer-long trek. The actual starting date may be anytime between late April and early June. This is the time to you may have the privilege to see one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world: more than a million marching animals in a column up to 40 kilometers long.
During the migration, the herd will move towards the Western Corridor, where they will face the first major obstacle: crossing the Grumeti River. Many animals don’t survive the crossing as they are being awaited by the area’s population of oversized crocodiles ready to feast. The herd may congregate on the southern bank of the river and stay there for up to two weeks before crossing the river.
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
When the Grumeti River obstacle has been taken, the herd moves further north and starts crossing the next big hurdle, the Mara River, in July or August. The Mara River crossing is where so many iconic Great Migration photos have been taken. After this crossing the herd flocks to the northwest plains and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The August – September period is considered being a bad time to visit Serengeti National Park and see the Great Migration as the herd moves into the Masai Mara in Kenya.
However, migration patterns show that about half of the herd stays on the Tanzanian side, in the Mara Serengeti area. In this period, smaller herds of wildebeest (well consider small… herds may count up to between 500 and thousands of individuals) frequently cross the Mara River, back and forth, for no apparent reason. This is an excellent time to stay at one of the Serengeti Mara camps.
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
Crossing the Mara River northbound means that, at one point, the herd needs to cross the river one more time before commencing the trek back in a southerly direction. This usually happens in October, but sometimes earlier. In this period the herd will cross the northern plains and Lobo area. This section of Serengeti National Park is little-visited, so if you are looking to see the migration in relative quietness, this would be the time. The wildebeest return to the short- grass plains and calving ground around Ndutu in late November. And from here, the Great Migration starts all over again.
Conclusion on Best time to Visit
It is a matter of choice whether you would like to plan your Serengeti safari around the Great Migration. We have mentioned earlier that the Serengeti is a year-round destination as it covers a vast area and offers unparalleled wildlife viewing. Chances that you will be at the exact spot of the Great Migration herd crossing a river (either at the Grumeti or Mara River) are very slim. Also, the timing of herd movements cannot be guaranteed. However, if you choose the right part of the Serengeti: the southeast and Ndutu from December through to May, the Western Corridor from May to July, the Serengeti Mara area from July trough to October, and the northern Serengeti and Lobo area in October and November, large herds of wildebeest and their entourage should be easily located.
Our Best Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Tours
Join Naymera Treks and Safaris for an unforgettable Serengeti Migration Safari, where you’ll witness the iconic wildebeest crossing, thrilling predator action, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the heart of the Serengeti with expert guides and experience nature at its wildest.
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We have been receiving reviews from our served clients and Nyamera Treks & Safaris is rated 5/5 by customers. This honor is given to us by customers because we always remain committed to all our customers to do whatever is needed by them to make their safari fully satisfied.
Posted on Nesta OAugust 10, 2025Verified Book with Nyamera! I am a teenager, so I am writing from a young perspective. Our experience in Tanzania was awesome, from the animal experiences to the tribal ones! But, what made it most special where our guides, George, the owner and founder of Nyamera, and Hussein our wildlife expert. Anything we asked to see, they would find for us! We spent 2 hours watching a lioness hunt. In the beginning of the trip I told Hussein that one of our guides earlier in the trip found a chameleon in the dark. So, on our very last day we pull over onto the side of the road and he comes back with a chameleon on his finger. We were all in shock, as I had said this as a joke, but if you really want to see something Nyamera will try their very hardest to find that for you. If you have any desire at all to go to Tanzania, then book with Nyamera!Posted on Vanessa KJuly 25, 2025Verified Older Couple – Slow Pace, Big Comfort We are both in our early 60s and were looking for a trip that didn’t feel too rushed. Nyamera Treks and Safaris helped organize a safari that suited our pace. The guide always made sure we had time to stretch, take photos, and never felt hurried. The lodges were comfortable and had everything we needed. Seeing the animals in the Serengeti was a dream come true, and we especially enjoyed watching the sunset over the savannah. It was calm, quiet, and truly special.Posted on Rachel LJuly 24, 2025Verified Luxury Fly-in Safari Nyamera Treks arranged a luxury fly-in safari for our anniversary, and it was exceptional. We flew into Serengeti straight from Arusha—saving time and traveling in comfort. The lodges were stunning, the wildlife was everywhere, and the whole trip felt personalized. Trust them to plan something really specialPosted on VetmccJuly 23, 2025Verified Great Introduction to Tanzania Felt Welcomed from Day One This was my first trip to Tanzania and my first safari ever. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was warmly welcomed and guided throughout. The driver picked me up on time, explained what the day would look like, and made sure I had enough water and snacks. The scenery was stunning – endless open landscapes, acacia trees, and animals I’ve only seen in books. The guide didn’t just show us the animals; he told stories and gave context, which made it more meaningful. I left with a real appreciation for the country.Posted on Gregory OJuly 21, 2025Verified Personal seven day Safari and tribal experience George and the crew at Nyamera are the best! The personalized care that they gave myself in my family was unmatched. The personalized touch we were able to put on the trip, as well as their personalized touch made it an unforgettable trip. They really took the time to make sure that every little detail was taken care of. George, Hussein, and the rest of the crew have become family.Posted on Nancy SJune 11, 2025Verified Nyamera is the BEST! When I first reached out to Nyamera, I was concerned our Tanzanian trip was in jeopardy because based on conversations I had with other operators, we couldn’t afford to do all the things we wanted to experience. I was immediately put at ease by the owner’s amazing communication skills and his abilities to get everything we wanted on the itinerary within our budget. His follow up and organization was always very clear and we landed at Kiliminjaro Airport ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Our trip could not have been organized any better. Our guide was incredibly experienced and knowledgeable and showed genuine concern for our happiness.All the lodging was unique and comfortable and the meals exceeded our expectations. Our guide went out of his way to make sure we experienced all the wildlife sightings we desired. Lions in trees and posing on rocks, cheetahs with babies and carrying a fresh kill. We watched a lioness stalk a herd of wildebeest for 2 hours. We chased the migration and saw huge herds of wildebeest and zebras. Our minds were blown every day!We also had interactions with the Masai, Hadzabe and Dagota tribes which we highly recommend. And, don’t miss the forest walk at Lake Maynara, it was epic!We sang songs together in the Land Cruiser and learned about each other’s families. We arrived as clients, but we left as friends. This trip changed us. It bonded our family and it was worth EVERY penny. Do not hesitate to book with Nyamera! We will always arrange our Africa travel with them and recommend to all our friends and family as well!Posted on LiamMay 28, 2025Verified Organized and Reliable – Everything Ran Smoothly From the very beginning, everything about this trip was well arranged. I had lots of questions before booking, and I always got clear answers by email. When we arrived, someone was already waiting for us at the airport, which was reassuring after a long flight. The same care was shown throughout the safari – clean vehicle, plenty of bottled water, and a guide who clearly cared about both safety and making sure we had a good experience. I never felt lost or confused about the schedule. It all worked out better than I expected.Posted on Tim K.May 28, 2025Verified Relaxing End in Zanzibar – Just What We Needed After a week on the road, we were pretty tired. Spending the last part of our trip in Zanzibar was a perfect way to unwind. The beaches were peaceful and clean, and the water was so warm we ended up swimming every day. The trip was arranged in a way that everything flowed naturally. We had enough time to rest, but we also visited Stone Town, which gave us a taste of Zanzibar’s culture. It wasn’t rushed, and we appreciated that. We didn’t need to worry about anything – our airport pickup, ferry, and hotel were all sorted.Posted on AmeliaMay 27, 2025Verified Solo Traveler – Felt Safe and Cared For the Whole Time I was traveling alone and was a bit nervous, but from the first day I felt completely looked after. I was picked up on time at the airport and everything was explained clearly. During the safari, my guide made sure I was comfortable and included. Even though I was alone, I never felt awkward. The days were full of amazing sights — we saw elephants walking right beside our vehicle, and even spotted a rhino, which I didn’t expect. Evenings were peaceful, and I had time to read and rest. It felt like the right mix of adventure and personal space.Posted on Yusuph RamadhanMay 20, 2025Verified From Safari to Sea – A Well-Balanced Itinerary Our trip combined a few days in Serengeti with a Zanzibar beach stay, and I think the balance was perfect. The first part was full of action – early game drives, watching lions and hyenas, seeing a leopard in a tree. Then we flew to Zanzibar, where everything slowed down. Long walks on the beach, quiet dinners, and time to reflect. I liked that both parts of the trip had a completely different mood. It gave us time to experience the wild and then relax before heading back home.Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 24 reviews
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