Our wildebeest migration safari packages take you to the Serengeti and Masai Mara to witness the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Every year, around 1.5 million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, and the predators that follow them travel in a huge circle across Tanzania and Kenya. This guide explains how the migration works, where the herds are each month, and the best time to book wildebeest migration safari packages.
Known as the Serengeti Migration in Tanzania and the Masai Mara Migration in Kenya, the Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the last mass land-animal movements left on the planet. Our wildebeest migration safari packages cover both sides of the border.
Why Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages Are the Best Way to See the Great Migration
The Great Migration is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and is a key reason travellers choose Kenya and Tanzania for a safari. It is the centrepiece of our wildebeest migration safari packages, offering drama and scale you will not find anywhere else.
Because the herds move with the rain, a well-planned itinerary matters. That is exactly what good wildebeest migration safari packages are designed to give you: the right park, the right camp and the right dates.
A Journey of Survival Across East Africa
The herds follow the rains and fresh grass in a clockwise loop of roughly 800 to 1,000 kilometres each year. Individual animals often walk much further as they zigzag in search of food and water.
The route runs through Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara in south-western Kenya. Our wildebeest migration safari packages follow this route through the year.
Nature's Drama: Predators and River Crossings
Lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs follow the herds, and crocodiles wait at the river crossings. Our wildebeest migration safari packages are planned so you are in the right place, at the right time, to witness these moments.
Our Most Popular Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages
Choose one of our wildebeest migration safari packages below, or ask us to customise one around your dates and budget.
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What Is the Wildebeest Migration?
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest overland animal migration in the world. Each year, wildebeest and zebras move clockwise across the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya, searching for nutritious grass and water. Many people call it "the greatest wildlife show on Earth".
Predators such as crocodiles, lions, cheetahs and hyenas make sure that only the strongest survive. The herds travel from the southern Serengeti, through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (though not into the Ngorongoro Crater itself), the Loliondo Game Controlled Area and the Grumeti Reserve.
They then cross briefly into Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders the Serengeti to the north, before heading south again. Most of the migration takes place in the far larger Serengeti.
The annual pattern is fairly predictable, but exact timing depends on the rainfall. Following the herds is trickier than a standard safari, so knowing when to be where matters. For park information, see Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
What Month Is the Wildebeest Migration?
The migration is not limited to July to October. It is a continuous, circular movement with a different highlight every season. We time our wildebeest migration safari packages around these highlights.
- January to March: calving season in the southern Serengeti, with excellent predator sightings.
- July: herds reach the western Serengeti and the Grumeti River.
- August to October: the dramatic Mara River crossings into and out of the Masai Mara.
- November to December: herds head back south into the Serengeti for the next calving season.
Where Does the Wildebeest Migration Start?
The migration has no real beginning or end. Most people treat the calving season in the southern Serengeti as the start of the cycle. From there the herds move clockwise through the Serengeti towards the Masai Mara, then return south near the end of the year.
Why Do Wildebeest Migrate?
Seasonal rain and the search for fresh grass drive the migration. When an area dries out and food and water decline, the herds move on to survive. Some people say distant thunderstorms trigger the movement, but there is no scientific proof of this.
How Does the Great Wildebeest Migration Work Month by Month?
The long and short rains in Kenya and Tanzania used to be predictable, but climate change has made them less reliable. Rain can arrive early or late, which shifts the whole migration calendar. That is why we recommend allowing as much time on safari as possible. You cannot fly in for two nights, see a Mara River crossing and fly out again, because nature does not work to a schedule.
Treat the guide below as a general outline only, because the migration follows the rain.
December to March: Calving Season in the Southern Serengeti
The first rains on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti draw the herds to the Ndutu area, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maswa Game Reserve.
Around 500,000 calves are born each year, mostly in February, when thousands can be born in a single day. The newborns make easy prey, so this is one of the best times to see lions, hyenas and cheetahs hunting.
April to May: Long Rains and the Move North
After calving, the herds drift north from Ndutu towards the fresh grass of the central Serengeti and Lake Magadi. They break up into large groups instead of one enormous mass.
Late April to June is also the rut. Males dash about rounding up females and chasing off rivals, and the grunting and clashing of horns can be overwhelming.
Note: this is the long rains season, so pack a rain jacket. Lodges are quieter and rates are often lower.
June: Heading North Towards the Grumeti
By June the rain has eased and the herds spread out in long lines. The front-runners reach the Mbalageti River, while stragglers may still be near Lake Magadi or the Simiti and Nyamuma Hills.
July: Grumeti River Crossings
In July the herds are in the Grumeti area of the western Serengeti, where river crossings are worth waiting for. The region is vast and has few lodges, so crossings here are harder to find than at the Mara River.
August to October: Mara River Crossings
By August the herds reach the northern Serengeti and face their biggest challenge, the Mara River. Its fast, murky water produces some of the most dramatic scenes in the animal kingdom, and also the highest death toll of the journey.
Herds sometimes plunge off steep banks in panic or when spooked by lions, and the fall alone kills many animals. Others drown or are crushed by the sheer numbers. Every death feeds the crocodiles, birds and fish.
From August to mid-October the herds cross back and forth between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, gradually drifting east. By late October, most are in the eastern Masai Mara.
November: Short Rains and the Return South
Early rains in November prompt the herds to leave the bare grasslands of the Masai Mara and head back south into the Serengeti, via the Loliondo and Lobo areas. They split into smaller family groups on the way.
Best Time to Book Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages
The best time to book wildebeest migration safari packages depends on which part of the migration you most want to see. The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are excellent year-round safari destinations, so you will see a lot of wildlife whenever you travel.
| Event | Approximate Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Calving season | January to March (peak in February) | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu |
| Rut (mating season) | April to June | Central and western Serengeti |
| Grumeti River crossings | June to July | Western Serengeti |
| Mara River crossings | July to October | Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara |
| Return south | November to December | Loliondo and northern-central Serengeti |
Please note: these dates are estimates. River crossings cannot be predicted. Sometimes the animals stay put for two weeks, and other times they cross several times in a single day.
Key Facts About the Wildebeest Migration
- Most of the migration takes place in Serengeti National Park.
- It is a year-round, circular journey with no start or finish.
- River crossings cannot be predicted, but usually happen between July and October.
- The animals are spread over a huge area, so there are always front-runners and stragglers.
- To see a Mara River crossing, you may need to spend a full day at a spot where the herds are gathering. Photographers should be ready for harsh midday light, which is often when crossings happen.
Best Places to Stay on Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages
Most wildebeest migration safari packages use one of two types of accommodation, mobile safari camps or permanent lodges. Which suits you depends on your budget and comfort needs.
Mobile Safari Camps
- En-suite tents with flush toilets
- Usually bucket showers
- Basins that may use jug water
- Running water is not always available
- Wi-Fi is not always available
Permanent Lodges
- En-suite rooms with hot and cold running water
- Plumbed showers, and sometimes bathtubs or outdoor showers
- Flush toilets
- Wi-Fi in most lodges
- Solar and generator electricity, with in-room charging
Tips for Choosing Your Migration Safari Accommodation
- Book early, because camps and lodges are small and fill up quickly.
- If you need interconnecting tents or family suites, book even earlier, as few are available.
- Travelling with young children? Choose fenced accommodation, ask about babysitting and consider a private game-drive vehicle.
- If you have mobility issues, ask for a room close to the main areas to avoid long walks on soft sand.
- On a budget? Choose good-value accommodation and spend the savings on extra days, which improves your chances of seeing births, kills or crossings.
How to Avoid the Crowds on Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages
Mara River crossings can get crowded. They take place in the public areas of the Masai Mara and Serengeti, so anyone with a safari vehicle and a park permit can watch, including self-drive visitors and day-trippers. Even if you stay in a private concession, you will still join the other vehicles at the crossing points.
You have three good options to avoid the crowds on your wildebeest migration safari packages:
- Travel in October. If you want to see Mara River crossings without the August and September peak, October is your best bet. Leaving it beyond mid-October risks missing the crossings.
- Choose Grumeti crossings in July. The Grumeti River is smaller and less dramatic than the Mara, and the area is more remote, so crossings are harder to find. In return you will see far fewer vehicles.
- Enjoy other parts of the migration. The calving season in the southern Serengeti offers huge herds, newborn calves and plenty of predator action. Any month can deliver an unforgettable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages
When is the best time to book wildebeest migration safari packages?
For Mara River crossings, book wildebeest migration safari packages for July to October and reserve at least 9 to 12 months ahead, because lodges and camps fill up. For calving, plan for January to March.
How many days should wildebeest migration safari packages include?
We recommend at least 5 to 7 days on the ground. Because the herds move with the rain, more days give you a better chance of seeing a crossing or a calving scene.
Is it better to see the migration in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both are excellent. The Serengeti in Tanzania hosts the herds for most of the year, while the Masai Mara in Kenya offers the famous Mara River crossings from roughly July to October. Many travellers combine both.
Can I combine the migration with gorilla trekking?
Yes. Our multi-country packages combine the Masai Mara or Serengeti with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
Combine Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages with Other Destinations
The Masai Mara and Serengeti combine easily with each other and also work as the focus of a larger itinerary.
In Kenya, we recommend adding Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Samburu National Reserve, the Laikipia Plateau or Mombasa. In Tanzania, you can add Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park and Zanzibar.
You can also go further afield:
- Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking.
- Seychelles or Mauritius for tropical beaches and diving.
Book Your Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages with Tulambule
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is a licensed, 100% Ugandan-owned tour operator, planning East Africa safaris since 2014. Our safari experts will tailor your wildebeest migration safari packages to your travel dates, interests and budget.
Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447 or +256 703 171 855, or email info@tulambule.com.
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