When is migration in tanzania

The northern extension of the ecosystem has the highest rainfall, but the grasses are least nutritious. This is the dry season retreat for the wildebeest, at least until the south becomes green again. The result is a clockwise movement from the south, west, north, and back to the south. A better representation of the circle of life probably cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The journey starts in Southern Serengeti when wildebeest calves are being born. Predators like lions and hyenas are constantly hunting for babies, and thousands and thousands of calves are born within a couple weeks of each other — a feast for the eyes of true wildlife enthusiasts.

When the drought comes in May, the herd moves north, towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, chomping down the high green grass, quickly followed by the gazelles and zebras. The migration is not without risk: crossing rivers means facing about 3, crocodiles, patiently waiting for a kill. Not to mention the famous Serengeti lion population: by far the largest in Africa. Despite the abundance of hoofed meat in this area, life is not easy for these big cats in this unforgiving landscape.

But seeing a group of lions collaborating to hunt down a wildebeest is an unforgettable sight. Then, with the beginning of the short rains in late October, the migration makes its way back into the Serengeti. 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? 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. For the best birdwatching safaris in Serengeti, visit in November and December, or from January to May. Flamingos on Serengeti Safari in Tanzania.

In November many of the migratory bird species fly in and the bird populations swell. The scenery is also very lush and beautiful at this time of year. But, keep in mind that April and May are the wettest months of the year in Serengeti Park. Yellow-billed Stork in Serengeti, Tanzania.

More than bird species have been recorded in the Serengeti Ecosystem, so the birding is excellent year-round. Lilac-breasted Roller on Serengeti Safari. Serengeti Park is a year-round safari destination. The scenery and the game viewing are spectacular at any time of year. There is more than one best time to visit Serengeti National Park. There are actually several best times for Serengeti Safari trips, based on your needs and wants. A few of these are:. Remember, every season has its advantages and disadvantages, so the best time of year for a Serengeti Safari depends on what's most important to you.

The weather will of course have an impact on your Serengeti Safari. It may affect the road conditions, which lodges and mobile camps are open and possibly your game drives. Plus, the rainy season can get very hot and humid so this will also affect your comfort levels. The climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable across the planet, Africa included.

Weather patterns have become less predictable with unexpected rains and droughts in all seasons. Check with an experienced safari-goer or expert before you go, to get your timing right. But, as always, take a flexible attitude with you on safari in Africa and you'll have a great adventure no matter what the weather does.

Serengeti Safari in September. The Great Migration moves from one region to another within Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya so you need to plan according to the movement of the migration at the time. There are also Private Safaris to Serengeti which we can arrange at reasonable prices. No one can return from the Serengeti unchanged, for tawny lions will forever prowl our memory and great herds throng our imagination. See our affordable Serengeti Safaris or all our Tanzania Safaris.

Landia is an adventure-loving South African, who likes to step off the beaten track and escape the crowds in nature. She's a seasoned safari writer and traveller with an honours degree in Communications and another in Sustainable Development. A private, tailor-made safari is within your reach. Experience all of your bucket-list safari related items on a budget now. Briony Chisholm July 25 Briony Chisholm January 25 Landia Davies August 14 Andrew Hofmeyr May 22 Claire Monson July 02 Katherine Murphy July 02 Landia Davies September 04 Landia Davies October 19 Andrew Hofmeyr June 26 Landia Davies January 15 Bronwyn June 30 Briony Chisholm May 07 Daniel De Lapelin Dumont July 22 Ingrid Van Wyk December 08 So, there's more than one best time to visit Serengeti Park.

Best time to safari in Serengeti for the Great Migration Although the Serengeti is a year-round safari destination, the Great Migration is the main attraction. Watching countless wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras stampeding across the open plains.

Dubbed the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, this is a must-see on Tanzania Safaris. An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon. Catching the predator action as lions, leopards, hyenas, and other predators leap at the easy prey. Seeing massive herds of herbivores plunging into rivers and getting snapped up by huge crocodiles.

The peak of the Wildebeest Migration is thus also peak safari season. See our month-by-month blog posts; August , September and October for further details. November In late October and November the herds start their second Great Migration south towards the fertile lands of the Ndutu plains where the rains will have rejuvenated the grasses since the herds were last there earlier in the year.

This can be a tricky time to catch the mega herd, as it covers vast distances every day. However, this is not set in stone as one of our team caught this mega crossing in November a few years back By the beginning of December, the herds are returning to Ndutu to calve, and the whole process is ready to start all over again.

We must reiterate…. The Migration is also entirely dependent upon rain, with the herds constantly searching for fresh grasses.

As a result, it is a challenge to predict with any confidence where the herds will be during any particular week, and therefore to decide where best to stay. Choosing a permanent camp or mobile camp for your Tanzania safari that is located in the 'right' area for the time of year will clearly increase your chances, but there are no guarantees.

See our blog post about the migration in November for further details. Videos of the Wildebeest crossing the crocodile infested Mara River from October Crossing point 8. A dramatic crossing for this big herd — demonstrating how sometimes going to see the migration out of the peak season of July — August can be a very good idea, as you miss the crowds, get some great deals at some of our favourite lodges yet still witness this spectacular migration action.

Crossing point 2. The dust kicking back from the wildebeest demonstrates the harsh climate which the wildebeest are up against at the very end of the dry season. Enjoy a combination of privately guided and shared game drives during this good-value exploration of Northern Tanzania.

Explore game-dense regions from three comfortable bases where there are a variety of activities on offer. Enjoy a range of activities during this ultra-luxurious fly-in safari. Explore the remoter regions of Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve with phenomenal guides during stays at two impressively comfortable camps that remain perfectly in keeping with their surroundings.

Combining two of the remotest parks in Tanzania, this safari can deliver extraordinary wildlife viewing in Katavi, and East Africa's best chimp treks, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Four smart sister camps offer a high level of care, first-class guiding and wide range of activities. Enjoy a range of land- and water-based activities, and spend a night in the unique underwater bedroom for a truly special experience. Chosen for their access to good game viewing and thrilling remoteness, these camps also offer a range of varied safari activities.

Walking safaris, day and night 4WD drives, fly-camping and superb guiding heighten your immersion in nature. View all holidays in Tanzania. New to Expert Africa? Create an account. The Great Wildebeest Migration. Serengeti wildebeest migration The greatest show on earth. The great Serengeti wildebeest migration is the movement of vast numbers of the Serengeti's wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, eland and impala.

These move in an annual pattern which is fairly predictable. They migrate throughout the year, constantly seeking fresh grazing and, it's now thought, better quality water. The precise timing of the Serengeti wildebeest migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year — here we explain how the broad pattern works. This migration, month by month, is shown on the map below — the moving red represents the main herds.