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Wildebeest migration

Wildebeest Migration Experience

Witness Nature’s Greatest Spectacle

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most breathtaking natural phenomena on Earth. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras, gazelles, and other herbivores, embark on a perilous journey across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grazing lands. This never-ending cycle of survival unfolds across Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, offering one of the most thrilling safari experiences in the world.

Whether you want to witness the calving season in Ndutu, the dangerous river crossings of the Mara River, or the endless herds roaming the plains of the Serengeti, the Wildebeest Migration promises unforgettable encounters with Africa’s raw and untamed beauty.

Why Witness the Great Migration?

  • One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa – A must-see spectacle of nature.
  • Incredible Predator Action – Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and crocodiles lurk as the herds move.
  • Bucket List Experience – A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wildlife lovers.
  • Dramatic River Crossings – Watch wildebeest battle strong currents and hungry crocodiles.
  • Year-Round Adventure – The migration moves in cycles, offering different experiences throughout the year.

The Migration Route

Where & When to Go

The Great Migration is a year-round event, but its location depends on the season. Here’s a breakdown of where and when to experience it:

1. January – March: The Calving Season (Ndutu, Southern Serengeti)

🌿 Highlights:

  • Over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in just 2-3 weeks.
  • Easy predator sightings—lions, cheetahs, and hyenas hunt vulnerable newborns.
  • A photographer’s paradise with dramatic chases and intimate wildlife moments.

🔹 Best for: Visitors who want to see newborns and intense predator-prey interactions.

2. April – June: The Journey North Begins (Central & Western Serengeti)

🌾 Highlights:

  • The herds start moving north as the rains end.
  • Central Serengeti offers spectacular predator action.
  • The Grumeti River crossing – a dramatic but lesser-known event with giant crocodiles.

🔹 Best for: Travelers seeking fewer crowds and stunning landscapes.

3. July – October: The Iconic Mara River Crossings (Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara)

🌊 Highlights:

  • The most famous part of the migration – the Mara River crossings.
  • Thousands of wildebeest plunge into crocodile-infested waters in a desperate bid to survive.
  • Massive herds gather in Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara, creating mind-blowing wildlife spectacles.

🔹 Best for: Those who want to witness the most thrilling and dramatic moments of the migration.

4. November – December: The Return Journey (Eastern & Southern Serengeti)

🍃 Highlights:

  • The herds leave the Masai Mara and head back to Serengeti.
  • Short rains create lush grazing grounds, preparing for the next calving season.
  • Excellent game viewing with fewer tourists.

🔹 Best for: Travelers who prefer quieter safari experiences with great wildlife sightings.

How to Experience the Wildebeest Migration

Hot Air Balloon Safari: A Bird’s-Eye View

Soar above the Serengeti at sunrise and witness the migration from a breathtaking aerial perspective.

Game Drives: Get Up Close to the Action

A private or guided game drive is the best way to track the movement of the herds and witness predator action firsthand.

Mobile Camps: Stay in the Heart of the Migration

Luxury mobile tented camps move with the herds, ensuring you’re always in the right place at the right time.

Walking Safaris: Experience the Wild on Foot

Explore Serengeti’s wilderness with expert guides and get a more intimate understanding of the ecosystem.

Best Places to Stay for the Migration

🏕️ Southern Serengeti (Jan-Mar): Ndutu Safari Lodge, Serengeti Migration Camp
🏕️ Central Serengeti (Apr-June): Dunia Camp, Kati Kati Tented Camp
🏕️ Western Serengeti (June-July): Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Mbalageti Safari Camp
🏕️ Northern Serengeti (July-Oct): Sayari Camp, Mara River Tented Camp
🏕️ Masai Mara (Aug-Oct): Angama Mara, Sanctuary Olonana

Why Book Your Migration Safari With Us?

  • Expert Safari Planning : We tailor your itinerary for the best migration experience.
  • Best Accommodation Choices : Stay in prime locations close to the action.
  • Private Game Drives : Exclusive wildlife encounters without the crowds.
  • Seamless Transfers : Flights, road transfers, and guided experiences included.
  • Local Knowledge : Our experienced guides ensure you don’t miss a thing!

📅 Ready to Witness the Migration? Contact us today and start planning your once-in-a-lifetime Wildebeest Migration safari!

Hyena hunt wildebeest

Contact Form

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to see the Wildebeest Migration?

The best time depends on what you want to see:

  • January – March: Calving season in Southern Serengeti.
  • June – July: Grumeti River crossings.
  • July – October: The dramatic Mara River crossings.
The Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya are the top locations, depending on the time of year.
No, as nature is unpredictable. However, booking a 3-5 day safari in Northern Serengeti (July-Oct) gives you the best chances.
Yes, most travelers require a visa, which can be obtained online or on arrival.

The best time is during the dry season (June to October), but private safaris are available year-round, each season offering unique experiences.

Wildebeest Experience Packages

Tarangire & Lake Manyara

2 - Days

Starting from

$558

Per person

Read More

Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara

3 - Days

Starting from

$1049

Per person

Read More

Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

4 - Days

Starting from

$2160

Per person

Read More
View All Packages

Wildebeest Migration Experience

Witness Nature’s Greatest Spectacle

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most breathtaking natural phenomena on Earth. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras, gazelles, and other herbivores, embark on a perilous journey across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grazing lands. This never-ending cycle of survival unfolds across Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, offering one of the most thrilling safari experiences in the world.

Whether you want to witness the calving season in Ndutu, the dangerous river crossings of the Mara River, or the endless herds roaming the plains of the Serengeti, the Wildebeest Migration promises unforgettable encounters with Africa’s raw and untamed beauty.

Why Witness the Great Migration?

  • One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa – A must-see spectacle of nature.
  • Incredible Predator Action – Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and crocodiles lurk as the herds move.
  • Bucket List Experience – A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wildlife lovers.
  • Dramatic River Crossings – Watch wildebeest battle strong currents and hungry crocodiles.
  • Year-Round Adventure – The migration moves in cycles, offering different experiences throughout the year.

The Migration Route

Where & When to Go

The Great Migration is a year-round event, but its location depends on the season. Here’s a breakdown of where and when to experience it:

1. January – March: The Calving Season (Ndutu, Southern Serengeti)

🌿 Highlights:

  • Over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in just 2-3 weeks.
  • Easy predator sightings—lions, cheetahs, and hyenas hunt vulnerable newborns.
  • A photographer’s paradise with dramatic chases and intimate wildlife moments.

🔹 Best for: Visitors who want to see newborns and intense predator-prey interactions.

2. April – June: The Journey North Begins (Central & Western Serengeti)

🌾 Highlights:

  • The herds start moving north as the rains end.
  • Central Serengeti offers spectacular predator action.
  • The Grumeti River crossing – a dramatic but lesser-known event with giant crocodiles.

🔹 Best for: Travelers seeking fewer crowds and stunning landscapes.

3. July – October: The Iconic Mara River Crossings (Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara)

🌊 Highlights:

  • The most famous part of the migration – the Mara River crossings.
  • Thousands of wildebeest plunge into crocodile-infested waters in a desperate bid to survive.
  • Massive herds gather in Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara, creating mind-blowing wildlife spectacles.

🔹 Best for: Those who want to witness the most thrilling and dramatic moments of the migration.

4. November – December: The Return Journey (Eastern & Southern Serengeti)

🍃 Highlights:

  • The herds leave the Masai Mara and head back to Serengeti.
  • Short rains create lush grazing grounds, preparing for the next calving season.
  • Excellent game viewing with fewer tourists.

🔹 Best for: Travelers who prefer quieter safari experiences with great wildlife sightings.

How to Experience the Wildebeest Migration

Hot Air Balloon Safari: A Bird’s-Eye View

Soar above the Serengeti at sunrise and witness the migration from a breathtaking aerial perspective.

Game Drives: Get Up Close to the Action

A private or guided game drive is the best way to track the movement of the herds and witness predator action firsthand.

Mobile Camps: Stay in the Heart of the Migration

Luxury mobile tented camps move with the herds, ensuring you’re always in the right place at the right time.

Walking Safaris: Experience the Wild on Foot

Explore Serengeti’s wilderness with expert guides and get a more intimate understanding of the ecosystem.

Best Places to Stay for the Migration

🏕️ Southern Serengeti (Jan-Mar): Ndutu Safari Lodge, Serengeti Migration Camp
🏕️ Central Serengeti (Apr-June): Dunia Camp, Kati Kati Tented Camp
🏕️ Western Serengeti (June-July): Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Mbalageti Safari Camp
🏕️ Northern Serengeti (July-Oct): Sayari Camp, Mara River Tented Camp
🏕️ Masai Mara (Aug-Oct): Angama Mara, Sanctuary Olonana

Why Book Your Migration Safari With Us?

  • Expert Safari Planning : We tailor your itinerary for the best migration experience.
  • Best Accommodation Choices : Stay in prime locations close to the action.
  • Private Game Drives : Exclusive wildlife encounters without the crowds.
  • Seamless Transfers : Flights, road transfers, and guided experiences included.
  • Local Knowledge : Our experienced guides ensure you don’t miss a thing!

📅 Ready to Witness the Migration? Contact us today and start planning your once-in-a-lifetime Wildebeest Migration safari!

Hyena hunt wildebeest

Contact Form

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to see the Wildebeest Migration?

The best time depends on what you want to see:

  • January – March: Calving season in Southern Serengeti.
  • June – July: Grumeti River crossings.
  • July – October: The dramatic Mara River crossings.
The Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya are the top locations, depending on the time of year.
No, as nature is unpredictable. However, booking a 3-5 day safari in Northern Serengeti (July-Oct) gives you the best chances.
Yes, most travelers require a visa, which can be obtained online or on arrival.

The best time is during the dry season (June to October), but private safaris are available year-round, each season offering unique experiences.

Wildebeest Experience Packages

View All Packages
  • +255 760 410 765
  • +255 760 410 765
  • info@african-highlights.com
  • Tanzania / Arusha

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  • +255 760 410 765
  • +255 760 410 765
  • info@african-highlights.com
  • Tanzania / Arusha

Lets Connect

Facebook X-twitter Tripadvisor Instagram

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Subscribe for Safari Tales and Promos!

African Highlights Safaris ©2025 - All Rights Reserved

Booking Terms

Privacy Policy