Great Migration in Serengeti in 2024/2025 - What, When, Where & How much?

The Great Migration is the annual movement of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles around the Serengeti eco system, seeking fresh grazing grounds and water sources. This spectacular event is one of the world's most significant wildlife events, drawing hundereds of thousands of visitors to the Serengeti eco system every year.

In the below article, you will learn everything required to plan a migration safari in Tanzania including when to travel, where to see migration, migration safari highlights in different seasons, where to stay for seeing migration and finally and finally different migration tour packages you can book.

When and Where Can You See The Great Migration

You can see great migration throughout the year in Serengeti eco system. Depending on time of the year, migration can be seen in different parts of Serengeti as indicated in the below map.

Breaking down the migration location further, in below table, you can find the expected location, week by week.

Disclaimer

• This table is based on our on observations of past seven years. The trend that was majorly followed by the herd. But migration pattern often changes year to year and seeing migration on your tour depends a bit on luck.
• In the past few years however, significant changes have been noticed to above pattern. In some years, herds have been reaching a month earlier or later at mentioned locations compared to period mentioned above.
• Where two locations are mentioned, you will usually be able to find the herd in both the locations. However, sometimes they might move, and the entire herd would congregate in one location only. We will inform you of such movements.
• During late june and early July, to ensure you have maximum chances of seeing migration, we advice you to spend time both at North Serengeti and West Serengeti if feasible.

Accommodations to See Great Migration

There are a wide range of accommodations throughout Serengeti that give you a quicker access to the migration at different times of the year. Here is a quick summary.

Early January to Late March

Great Migration can be seen at Ndutu or South Serengeti during this period. Most accommodations are located in Ndutu which is North Western part of Ngorongoro conservation area. So majority of clients interested in seeng migration during this period stay in Ndutu.

Migration camps or lodges in Ndutu: Tanzania Bush Camps - Ndutu, Sero tented camp - Ndutu, Ndutu migration Canopy, Heritage migration camp- Ndutu, Ang'ata Migration Camp - Ndutu, Nyikani Migration Camp - Ndutu, Ndutu Lodge, Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge, Lake Masek Tented Lodge, Serengeti Under Canvas - Ndutu, Olakira Migration Camp - Ndutu

Camps or Lodges in South Serengeti: Kati Kati Migration Camp, Ndutu Under Canvas, Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp

Early April to Early May

Great migration moves in north west direction from Ndutu/South Serengeti and can be spread between South Serengeti to south western serengeti. Accommodations near Moru kopjes form a great base to explore migration during this period. But because of proximity of this region to Central Serengeti/Seronera region, and because the wildebeest are spread in a very wide area, you can stay at any camp in Central serengeti and be within 1 to 1.5 hrs of drive away from great migration.

Accommodations Near Near Moru Kopjes: Osupuko Serengeti Camp, Golden safari camp, Naona Moru Camp, Asanja Africa, Ole Serai Moru Kopjes, Dunia Camp, Elewana pioneer camp

Most of the camps in Central Serengeti will be about 1 to 1.5 hours away from the migrating herds during this period and can be a good base for exploring migration as well as the rich resident wildlife in Central Serengeti.

Mid May to Mid June

Majority of herds can be seen in Western Serengeti during this time, spread around the rivers Grumeti and Mbalageti.

Accommodations in West Serengeti: Kirawira Serena Lodge, Mbalageti Lodge, Mbugani Migration Camp, Serengeti Safari Camp, Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge

Late June to Early July

Herds will now be moving from Western Serengeti to North Serengeti. In some years, we find that almost the entire herds are still in Western Serengeti while in some years we find very little to no herds in western serengeti and majority of herds have already reached North Serengeti. And in some years, we find good number of herds both in West and North serengeti at same time with many herds being spread across the 2 regions.

Given the variation in migration movement and distance between West Serengeti and North Serengeti, if you are keen on seeing migration, we recommend to spend a couple of nights each at West Serengeti and North serengeti so you find migration at either of these 2 locations.

So we recommend clients to stay at Both West Serengeti (listed above) & North Serengeti accommodations (listed below)

Mid July to Late September

By Mid July most herds would have reach North Serengeti and many would have crossed into Masai Mara reserve in neighbouring Kenya. We recommend you to stay near the Mara river region which is on the eastern side of North Serengeti. Most accommodations are located in Kogatende area while some premium accommodations are located in Wogakuria or Lamai or nearby areas.

Accommodations in North Serengeti near Mara river: Tanzania Bush camps - migration camp, Heritage Serengeti Camps - migration camp, Kati Kati Migration Camps, Mara Under Canvas, Nyikani Migration Camp, Lemala Kuria hills, Sayari Camp.

Or if you are visiting Kenya, you can stay at any camp/lodge inside or around Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.

October

By October, migration moves from West to East of Northern Serengeti. Herds from Masai Mara start crossing back into Serengeti. North East side of Serengeti is called Bologonja and it has few accommodations.

Accommodations in North Serengeti on Eastern Side Ang'ata Migration Camp, Mbugani Migration Camp, Serengeti Baobab - Migration Camp, Bologonja Under Canvas, & beyond Kliens Camp.

Because of the limited number of accommodation in North - Eastern part of Serengeti, you can consider staying at any of the above camps mentioned (In north serengeti near mara river) and these will be within 1 hour drive from North East Serengeti.

Early November

Migration now starts moving southwards rapidly and herds cover vast distance this month. For early November, we recommend clients to stay at Lobo region which is just below Bologonja.

Accommodations in Lobo Region: Kimbilo Safari camp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Elewana Serengeti camp

Mid November to Mid December

From Mid November, Most of the herds can be seen in Eastern Serengeti, which is just 1 hour east wards from Central Serengeti. In the next 30 days, they will move further south and can be seen in South East Serengeti, near Naabi hill region and North Ngorongoro

Accommodations in East Serengeti: Mawe Camp, Serenity camp, Sametu Camp, Lemala Nanyukie, Namiri plains.

Most of the camps in Central Serengeti will be about 1 to 1.5 hours away from the migrating herds during this period and can be a good base for exploring migration as well as the rich resident wildlife in Central Serengeti.

Late December

By Late December,some herds would have reached Ndutu while some would still be in south east Serengeti and North Ngorongoro

Migration camps or lodges in Ndutu: Tanzania Bush Camps - Ndutu, Heritage migration camp, Ndutu, Ang'ata Migration Camp - Ndutu, Nyikani Migration Camp - Ndutu, Ndutu Lodge, Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge, Lake Masek Tented Lodge, Serengeti Under Canvas - Ndutu, Olakira Migration Camp - Ndutu

Camps or Lodges in South Serengeti: Kati Kati Migration Camp, Ndutu Under Canvas, Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp

Highlights of Migration in Different Seasons

Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages in Tanzania

You can visit serengeti national park anytime of the year to see great migration. Depending on the season and your other interests, we recommend tours that take you to migration location in Serengeti and other parks in North Tanzania.

In below table we listed our recommended migration safari tours for each month. All these tours start from Arusha and end at Arusha. You can adjust your dates, party size, preferred duration in below links to shortlist tours for your plan. Prices are listed for a wide range of accommodation categories from basic camping to high end hotels.

If you wish to avoid the long road transfers involved in getting to Serengeti, you can consider flying directly from Arusha (or from Kilimanjaro or Dar es salaam or Zanzibar airports) to Serengeti and then driving back covering other parks along the way. In this article, you will find more information on how to get to Serengeti

Please note that all the Serengeti migration safaris include multiple parks. Check this article to know which Tanzanian parks offer what attractions and which ones to visit. If you need help in plannig a safari, we recommend you to check this article on planning Tanzania safari

When Do We Recommend Clients to See The Great Migration

When it comes to recommending the best time for clients to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the great migration, we suggest planning a visit to the North Serengeti from mid-July to October. This period aligns with the arrival of the migration in this region, offering opportunities to observe the vast herds as they embark on their remarkable journey. As the dry season takes hold, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the expansive plains of the North Serengeti, seeking fresh grazing lands and water sources.

If you are particularly longing for National Geographic-style action, we highly recommend visiting the Mara River from late July to September. Here, the herds face the daunting task of crossing these turbulent waters, teeming with crocodiles. The sight of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles taking the plunge is heart-stopping, highlighting the inherent risks they face during this epic journey. It is indeed a captivating spectacle that will leave you in awe.

Alternatively, another highly recommended timeframe is from late December to the end of March. This period is perfect for exploring the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu region. Here, the herds congregate to graze on the lush and nutrient-rich grasslands as the heavily pregnant female wildebeests prepare to finally give birth. February, in particular, stands out as a remarkable month, as it marks the peak of the calving season. Witnessing the birth of new life amidst the vast African savannah is an extraordinary experience that captures the essence of the circle of life.

By aligning your safari trip with these prime periods, you can maximise your chances of encountering the great migration in all its glory. Our carefully curated itineraries for North Serengeti migration tours and Ndutu migration tours offer the best opportunities to immerse oneself in this natural wonder.

With this we hope that the article has been helpful for you in planning your Migration itinerary in Tanzania. For any further queries please contact us at [email protected]