African safaris offer once-in-a-lifetime adventures and every wildlife lover has it on their travel checklist. This migration safari offers the chance to see exciting animals amidst breathtaking scenery. No wildlife event beats the great wildebeest migration safari Tanzania. For two seasons every year, herds of wildebeest make a circuit through the Serengeti plains following the grass that grows with the periodic rains.
An unforgettable safari experience where wildlife is a feast for the eyes.
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What You Need To Know
If you want to experience a seamless migration safari in Tanzania, then you’ll need to plan adequately. The great wildebeest migration is an annual event that occurs in Kenya and Tanzania. The start of the migration is dependent on the timing of the year’s rains. Considering the unpredictability of the rains, there are a few tips to assist in planning for a safari of this nature. In terms of when to go, the migration takes place between May and December which is regarded to be the peak season. It is however important to keep in mind that the timing of the migratory herds’ movements can be unpredictable.
The people are great. There are over 100 ethnic groups in Tanzania, making the local cuisine fascinating and cultural activities intriguing.
Mount Kilimanjari is massive. At 5895m high and 40km wide, it’s little wonder why this is Africa’s highest peak.
The road infrastructure is not as good as it used to be.
Drink bottled water.
Get vaccinated, especially against malaria.
From August to December.
Bringing the right personal items and clothing on your migration safari in Tanzania not only keeps you comfortable and safe, it also increases the level of enjoyment in the various adventurous activities you are going to undertake. The most important and obvious rule is to ensure you pack lightly
. Make the wisest choice on what clothing you will bring. Unless you plan to attend a special event, formal clothing is unnecessary. Bring loose-fitting clothes that will make you comfortable throughout the day and night. Avoid bright coloured clothing that might soil easily and choose neutral colours such as light bark, khaki, beige, green and olive. Ensure you pack insect repellent as tsetse flies and mosquitoes are concerns in Tanzania.
Due to the intensity of the activities you may undertake throughout your stay, appropriate shoes to protect your feet from thorns and stones are a must. Get some waterproof shoes such as hiking boots for game drives and hikes.
Between April and May, the rains abate and the Serengeti tends to dry out, which may not make this the best time to visit. From June to July, a transitional period starts and the rains alternate with the dry season. This is the regarded as the mid season.
Safari-style holiday where your itinerary is planned and your needs are generally taken care of.
Popular Migration Safari in Tanzania
Each of our popular itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your budget as well as your specific interests.
Tanzania has plenty of different accommodation options from self-catering to luxury hotels. The best way to book accommodation in Tanzania is with Discover Africa safaris.
Tanzania is best visited during the dry season, which runs from late June to October and is when you see the wildlife cross predator infested waters in unforgettable numbers.
The great migration is all year round. However, the river crossings are from September - October and the Calving season is from late January to early February.
Ruaha National Park is one of the world's most beautiful national parks and is located in Tanzania.
There are many places to watch the wildebeest migration and all the drama it draws, but we recommend the Mara River, the plains of the Masai Mara National Park, and the Ndutu Plains of Tanzania's Serengeti.
In Tanzania's Serengeti, the migration usually lasts for 9 months. During August, September, and October, it is most active in Kenya's Masai Mara.
Basically, the animals follow the rains because they want to find green grass. Wildebeest take advantage of the strong seasonal conditions by spending the rainy season on the plains in the south-east and the dry season in the woodlands in the north-west.
The official language in Tanzania is Swahili but there are hundreds of other local dialects.
English is the second official language and the country's commercial language. It is also the main teaching language used for all higher education institutions.
You will find that the majority of the people that you come in contact with are fluent in English and have a surprisingly good command of the language.
A Grumeti safari is rewarding throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Grumeti Game Reserve is during the migration months of June and July - when massive herds of wildebeest arrive to cross the crocodile-infested Grumeti River on their way back to Kenya’s Masai Mara.
For many, the post-migration months of September and October are seen as the best time to visit the Grumeti Reserves - large herds of zebra and wildebeest remain in the area along with elephant, topi and Thomson’s gazelle. However, it's also easy to spot predators moving through the short grass.
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October, during the dry season. It is easier to spot the wildlife - since they normally gather around the waterholes, rainfall is minimal, vegetation is not too thick and mosquitos levels are reduced.
However, when you’re visiting make sure you carry warm clothes for the morning game drives, since the early mornings of June all through August are cold.
From November to December and March through May - the rains transform the landscape as lush, green grasses emerge and this is also the best time to witness the migratory birds.
June to September, during the dry season. The wildlife is easier to spot - since they congregate around the water sources.
June to October is the best time to travel through Lake Manyara National Park - the wildlife is easily spotted in the dry season.
The best time to see the wildebeest migration is in August as the herds cross the Nile crocodile-infested Mara River, crossing an international border between Kenya and Tanzania.
For optimal wildlife viewing opportunities, Tanzania is best visited during the dry season months of June - October. However, if you'd like to see the wildebeest migration, a visit during the months of January and February puts you in the middle of the calving season, a period where the herds give birth to their newborn calves.
The best place to go for wildlife viewing in Tanzania is Northern Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, has some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in the world as well as the Serengeti, but don't forget about the southern circuit.
The dry season months of June through to November are the best times to visit the Tarangire National Park, as most of the animals will head towards the Tarangire River to remain hydrated, providing travellers with excellent game viewing opportunities.