when is the best Time to See the Great Migration

When is the Best Time to See the Great Migration: Discovering the Wonders of the Great Wildebeest Migration – An Epic Journey Across the African Savanna

The Great Wildebeest Migration is a spectacular natural event that occurs annually in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in Africa. It involves the movement of vast numbers of wildebeest, zebras, and other plains animals in search of food and water. When is the best time to see the Great Migration? The migration typically begins in late December or early January, when the wildebeest and zebras start to move from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. They follow a circular route through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, covering a distance of around 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) over the course of the year.

During the migration, the animals face numerous challenges and dangers, including predators, crocodiles, and sometimes drought and famine. However, migration is also a vital part of their natural lifecycle, allowing them to access new pastures and ensuring the survival of their species. The Great Wildebeest Migration is a popular tourist attraction, drawing many people to the Serengeti-Mara region to witness the event. It is considered one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. When is the best time to see the Great Migration? The ideal time varies depending on the specific stages of the migration, but generally, the peak river crossings at the Mara River occur between July and September, offering the most dramatic and awe-inspiring views of this natural phenomenon.

Best Times to Witness the Great Migration: A Seasonal Guide

November – January

When is the best time to see the Great Migration? The migration cycle of Serengeti National Park begins during this period, as animals move from Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve to the southeast part of the Serengeti. This dry season in Tanzania sees approximately 1.7 million wildebeest, accompanied by 260,000 zebras and 470,000 gazelles, moving to the Serengeti’s short-grass plains. This time is also the mating season for zebras, making it vital to the future of these species.

February – March

Wondering when is the best time to see the Great Migration? In February, the migration passes through the southern part of Serengeti National Park and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This period is the peak season for wildebeest fertility, crucial for the formation of the next generation. New wildebeests are born during this season, and visitors can witness the calves walking with the herd, protected from predators and able to run at incredible speeds within just a few days.

By early March, as the fodder near Ngorongoro disappears, wildebeests begin their migration to the western part of the Serengeti, heading towards the Grumeti River region.

April

The big herds of animals move to the central part of the park named Seronera. This period is the rainy season in Tanzania. Heavy and prolonged rainfalls give animals tens of thousands of square kilometers of fresh grass for their nutrition.

May – June

This is the end of the rainy season. Herds of wildebeest continue to move to the west, to the region named Western Corridor. On their way, they must cross the Mbalageti and Grumeti rivers. National Geographic and Discovery Channel continue to organize expeditions and film the incredible Grumeti River crossing, capturing the danger of the herds charging through crocodile-infested waters. It is a truly exciting thing to watch and seeing it all live, in person can never be matched with a television episode.

July

July is the beginning of the dry season in Tanzania. There are no rains, and animals continue to move to the north, towards the border with Kenya along the Grumeti region. At the end of August, this amazing cycling of animals reaches the borders of monitoring areas of Ikorongo (where there is the famous German Fort Ikoma, described in Bernard Grzimek’s book “Serengeti Shall Not Die”).

August – October

At the end of September, the migration reaches the border with Kenya. In October, during the peak of the dry season, most of the animals have migrated to the Maasai Mara in Kenya where there is a lot of fresh water and plenty of grass.

When is the Best Time to See the Great Migration?

Generally, here at Williamson Adventures, we offer custom-made safaris that can include witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration, with options such as “Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti Migration Safari.”

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#AfricanSafari, #BestTimeToVisit, #GreatMigration, #MasaiMaraMigration, #MigrationSeason, #SafariSeason, #SerengetiMigration, #TravelAfrica, #WildlifePhotography, #WildlifeWatching

Leon C

Lucky safari We came across Williamson Adventure by accident, and we also chose a few ground handlers to compare, and Williamson was the one with the fastest feedback and the best value for money in terms of combined quotes. Our team of 10 people unanimously gave them five stars, they provide the best service. The owner of Williamson was patient and meticulous in communicating with us beforehand and tried his best to meet our every request, and he also solved the problems we encountered during the safari, and even went to the airport to see us off before we finally left Arusha. We are very satisfied with Williamson's sincerity, and would like to recommend it to every friend who is interested in safari in Tanzania, it's really great and very thoughtful!

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一次精美的safari旅行 Williamson Adventures是一家特别棒的地接社，行程安排超过预期，在交流阶段针对各种细节都回复的特别耐心，酒店也很早就预定下来，而且还贴心为我们安排了从桑岛机场到酒店的接机服务，非常满意，超预期

Ashley

Outstanding experience with Williamson Adventures I would say I couldn't be more impressed with their service provided by Williamson Adventures! William were incredibly helpful, he always replied to my messages in a quick and efficient way. The logistics of the trip were flawlessly managed. Transfers, guides were all arranged seamlessly, allowing me to relax and immerse myself in the safari adventure. The guide has experience of more than 10 year, was really a pro—well-informed, friendly, and passionate about sharing their knowledge of those animals and landscapes. And we managed to see Big Five! Overall, Williamson Adventures exceeded my expectations in every way. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for their clients’ experiences make them a great choice for anyone planning a trip to Tanzania. I really appreciate that and will definitely come back again! x

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难忘的非洲之行 第一次去非洲旅游，通过safarigo与多家地接社取得了邮件联系，William是其中回复最迅速且沟通最顺畅的，添加微信后对行程的安排和细节都根据我们的要求一一修改核对，他替我们安排的最后一晚住宿甚至能在房间阳台看见斑马和水羚；因为国际航班晚点导致在坦桑尼亚国内转机时间不足的问题能及时帮忙与航司沟通解决,后续发生了一些不愉快也妥善处理了；向导Godlove车技杠杠的，我们车况OK工具齐全，路上碰到其他地接社的车辆故障他都会出手相助，safari途中多次近距离看到狮子也多亏有他。此外想提醒各位同胞，坦桑尼亚的中国游客相对较少，中文导游水平良莠不齐，如果需要地接社提供相关服务，建议通过即时通讯软件提前确认导游的口语水平，以免出现与预期大相径庭的情况。总的来说，这是一次非常难忘和美妙的非洲之行，希望有机会能再来坦桑尼亚。

israel c

Professional and reliable service. 100% recommended the company Williamson Adventures. It was a pleasure to have booked my trip with this company. Very good communication from the beginning. They helped me with the 5-day itinerary in Tanzania, visiting the most important parks such as Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. The guide we had was very punctual and also very professional at each point we visited. The Lodges that were booked were of good quality and generally very professional service. 100% recommendable. Thanks for everything William!!

Rafael M

Best safari in Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara The best safari agency in Tanzania. The best price on a 5-day safari checked with 8 other agencies !!! Very good driver and guide.

LCF20130907

7-Day Migration Safari with Williamson: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience! My friend and I had a 7-day migration safari (River Crossing) with Williamson Adventures exceeded our expectations. The captivating sights of wildebeest herds were absolutely breathtaking, a true testament to the wonders of nature. Our knowledgeable guide Raymond made the experience even more remarkable with his deep understanding of the wildlife and their behaviors. The seamless combination of the safari with a day trip to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour added a perfect touch of cultural immersion. The lush greenery and the thundering waterfall were a sight to behold, and the coffee tour was enlightening. Williamson's team orchestrated a flawless journey, ensuring comfort and safety throughout. This safari was a life-changing experience, and I'm incredibly grateful to William and his team for making it so exceptional.

Vi_X

Unforgettable experience in Tanzania The Ultimate Tanzanian Safari and Cultural Experience! I can't thank Williamson enough for the incredible 7-day migration safari adventure. Witnessing the Great Migration in person was an awe-inspiring spectacle, and Raymond Our Guide added an educational layer that deepened our appreciation. His passion for wildlife is contagious! The highlight was coupling this safari with a day trip to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour. The waterfall's beauty left us speechless, and the coffee tour was a delightful insight into the local culture. The Accommodation during our safari experience was top notch, thank you William for organizing our trip and his team was amazing! I am going to miss Tanzania ❤️ # one of my best trip ever # amazing travel experiences # lots laughs & fun during the trip # unforgettable moments

Edson B

Incredible Safari in Tanzania We did a 5 day Incredible honeymoon safari with Williamson Adventures , we were researching good company for our safari It is our luck to go with them the communication was smooth, we exchanged so many texts until we reached the conclusion . The guide Allan was knowledgeable who knows alot about animals and plants his driving skill was exceptional on the rough road on the way to Serengeti national park , The accommodations were good during our safari we will recommend Williamson Adventures to our family and friends .

Juliane P

Kilimanjaro 6 days Machame route My dad and I booked the Kilimanjaro 6 days Machame route and since the first contact with William I received all the information and help that we need and our conversation was easy. Our team at the Kilimanjaro hike was really friendly and helpful and our guides were perfect with us! Cannot recommend more I and have no words to thank enough all the team.

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when is the best Time to See the Great Migration

When is the Best Time to See the Great Migration: Discovering the Wonders of the Great Wildebeest Migration – An Epic Journey Across the African Savanna

Best Times to Witness the Great Migration: A Seasonal Guide

When is the Best Time to See the Great Migration?

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