When is the Great Migration in the Serengeti?
The Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park has been hailed as one of the most wonderful phenomena in nature and a spectacular show of life and survival that takes place in the open plains of Tanzania, which seem to be endless. In this way, every year, more than 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles venture in pursuit of new grass and water. This circular movement, which is based on the rhythms of the rains, provides the travellers with a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife show which can be observed at other moments and other places in a year.
The Timing of the Great Migration.
Unlike what many visitors to the Serengeti assume, the Great Migration is not a one-time activity but an annual round-the-clock activity. The herds do not cease migrating; they show the clockwise movement throughout the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, which covers approximately 800 kilometres annually. The time of the migration is determined mostly by the rainfall, which determines the location of the green grass that the animals are relying on.
Although the time of the year when the phenomenon takes place might be a little different each year, the overall trend of the migration is steady and gives tourists an opportunity to organise their safari according to the various phases of the process.
January to March: The Calving Season of the South of the Serengeti.
The migration of wild beasts takes place over the short-grass plains of the Southern Serengeti, between Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, between January and March. It is the month of calving, where it takes about 8,000 wildebeest calves to be born in a day. The neighbourhood becomes a heaven of green nature and new life.
At this period, lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are numerous, as the simple animals and a large number of young animals attract them. It is among the optimal periods when the travellers can observe overwhelming predator-prey interactions and take impressive wildlife photographs. It is the best location to go on family safari and photography tours due to the level of accessibility and favourable weather conditions in the region.
April-May: Northward Herd Movement and Long Rains.
With the onset of long rains in April, the herds start migrating northwest, abandoning the Ndutu region and proceeding to the central Serengeti. The grass grows so high that the young calves cannot keep up with it, and the herds seek the smell of rain and the assurance of better grazing grounds.
It is not high season, and thus it is an ideal time to visit for the travellers who want a much quieter safari season. Whilst it is possible to get stuck on muddy roads and have a more difficult journey, the greenery and the good birds make the process beautiful. The core Serengeti provides an excellent view of huge herds passing across rivers and open plains.
June-July: River Crossings, the Western Serengeti.
June is the onset of the dry season, and the migration concentrates along the Grumeti River in the Western Serengeti. It is among the most dramatic periods of the Great Migration. The herds are forced to traverse the river full of crocodiles, where huge Nile crocodiles are lurking.
The season gives tourists an opportunity to observe the exciting events as the wildebeests and the zebras cross the waters in their survival mission. It is all sunny with clear skies, and the wildlife viewings are memorable. June and July are superb months to visit the Serengeti on a safari, and there are numerous lodges and camps in the Grumeti and the Western Corridor which present the best chances to view.
August to October: The famous Mara River crossings.
The Great Migration peaks between August and October when the herds reach the river known as the Mara, which is in the northern Serengeti for Tanzania safaris and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Crossings of the Mara River are mythical and one of the most mind-stopping wildlife viewing moments. The banks of the river are crowded with tens of thousands of animals, who are afraid to cross the raging waters and yet are carried across the water by instinct.
This is the most touristy season of the year because there is an influx of travellers from all over the world to see this legendary image. Crocodiles and fierce rivers make their claim, but the will of the herds to go on with the journey is astonishing. Luxury lodges and mobile camps are placed close to the crossing points of the Serengeti so that the northern part of the Serengeti provides exceptional viewing opportunities.
November-December: The Turning Back South.
In November, the short rains also start, and this time the herds move south once again. The central and eastern Serengeti grasses begin to grow, and this attracts the wildebeests back to the southern plains. This is the end of the migration cycle, and by December, the herds take refuge in the Ndutu region to begin the calving season again.
It is also a season of the year when nature is most scenic, and there are fewer visitors, and it is a more intimate Tanzania safari experience. Tourists will have the enjoyment of observing the herds scattered across the plains and the predators that trail them very closely.
Optimal Breeding Times of the Great Migration
The most appropriate season to view the Great Migration in the Serengeti can be determined by the stage of the migration you need to observe. When it comes to the calving season, January to March is best in the southern part of the Serengeti. To see the dramatic river crossings, go between June and October when the herds are in the western and northern areas.
Nevertheless, each step of the migration is unique in its way. It is either the newborn calves of Ndutu, or the hunter in the central Serengeti, or the dangerous river crossings in the north; every moment gives us a glimpse into the beat of nature that characterises this unbelievable journey.
Traveller Practical Tips.
In order to enjoy your Serengeti great migration safari, you should plan. Here are a few tips:
- Select the appropriate part of the Serengeti depending on the time of the year when you intend to visit the area so that you can be close to the herds.
- Make bookings well in advance, particularly in the high period of July to September. The lodges in the migration hot spots are quickly filled.
- Instead, go on guided tours with the local guides who are knowledgeable about them and who can get you to the most ideal places.
- Always carry neutral-coloured, lightweight clothes that can be used on hot days or cold nights.
- Also, carry good binoculars and a good camera to take in the action.
It is advisable to take travel insurance because medical facilities may be few in remote areas where the safari would be.
10 Reasons the Great Migration Should Be on Your Travel List.
The Great Migration, when viewed in the Serengeti, is less of a Tanzania safari; it is a front-row ticket to the uncivilised nature of the natural world. The sheer nature of the process, the thunder-hooves over the plains, and the ever-present nature-life-death make one admire the harmony of nature.
The Serengeti is a beauty itself, and not just the migration. Whether it is golden plains sunsets or meeting the Big Five and the colourful Maasai culture, it is an experience that does not fade away with time, even after your departure.
Conclusion: Prepare Your Serengeti Adventure.
The great migration of the Serengeti is one of the most amazing occurrences in the world and a marvellous phenomenon in Africa. You have imagined seeing the newborn of the calving season or the white-knuckled river crossings; there is the right time and the right place to be in Tanzania. Arranging your Tanzania safari during the migration will have you included in the best show on earth by nature.
It is a journey to remember, and the beat of the Great Migration in the Serengeti Safari will keep you in shock.
