The great migration in Tanzania

The great migration in Tanzania is an attraction which takes place in the northern part of Tanzania in Serengeti national park. In Tanzania, the wildebeest migration takes place across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and involves the movement of over 2 million wildebeests around the open savannah plains of the national park.

This migration in Tanzania can be seen in different parts of Serengeti national park such as the northern part of the national park, the southern plains of Serengeti national park, around the central plains of the national park or Seronera area and the western plains of the national park.

From December to early March, the great wildebeest migration can be seen around the southern plains of Serengeti national park where over 8000 wildebeests are born daily in the grass plains and predators can also be seen during this migration.

This migration also involves other wildlife species such as zebras and gazelles and predators like lions among others can be seen during a wildlife viewing experience around Serengeti national park.

Around April and May, the wildebeests can be seen in the central part of Serengeti national park or Seronera area. The wildebeest herds can be seen as they graze around the vast plains and also in places like the Moru kopjes which are rock outcrops in the national park.

From the central plains of Serengeti national park, the wildebeest migration continue to the western part of the national park where the first river crossing takes place along the Grumeti river.

The wildebeests continue their movement to the northern part of Serengeti national park around June to July. During these months another river crossing takes place along the Mara river in the northern part of the national park. The river crossings along the Mara river are more popular among tourists and many visitors go to the national park to see these crossings along the river which also has Nile crocodiles which also feast on the wildebeests as they cross the river.

After crossing the Mara river, the wildebeests continue to the Masai Mara national reserve in the south western part of Kenya which is another safari destination where the wildebeest migration can be spotted. Masai Mara is also a destination where the big five can be seen during a safari as well as many other wildlife species during game drives around the destination. This migration follows a clockwise direction and the movement can be unpredictable during the year.

The wildebeest migration is also a natural wonder and is considered among the largest wildlife migrations in the world. When visiting Serengeti national park for the wildebeest migration, it is important to consider the location where the wildebeests are and booking a lodge or tented camp where the herds can be spotted during a safari.

Many lodges and tented camps such as luxury and midrange accommodations follow this migration and set up in a location where their guests can enjoy seeing the wildebeest herds across the savannah plains in the different parts of the national park.

Serengeti national park has a lot to offer apart from the wildebeest migration including amazing wildlife viewing in the endless savannah plains, hot air balloon safaris over the savannah plains, walking safaris in the national park plains and also bird watching.

Park entrance fees are among the requirements for safaris to Serengeti national park and the park fees paid by nonresidents is 70 USD and 60 USD in the peak and low season and residents or expatriates visiting the national park is 35 USD in the peak season and 30 USD in the low season excluding 18% tax.

Children below the age of 5 years are not charged park entrance fees when visiting Serengeti national park. Children between the age of 5 and 15 years are charged park entrance fee of 2000 TSH for East Africans, 20 USD for nonresidents and 10 USD for residents excluding 18% tax.

During the wildebeest migration, Serengeti national park can be accessed using different means of transport such as flights to the airstrips around the national park such as Seronera airstrip, Lobo airstrip, Kogatende airstrip, Kirawira airstrip, Grumeti airstrip among others and also by driving from Arusha town for safaris starting in the northern part of Tanzania. The drive from Arusha to Serengeti national park takes about 7 hours.

Serengeti national park can also be accessed by driving from other destinations that are a short drive from the destination such as the Ngorongoro crater, Lake Manyara national park and Tarangire national park.

Wildlife species which can be seen during game viewing experiences around Serengeti national park include the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos as well as cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeests, antelopes, giraffes, elands, impalas, dik dik, kudu, warthogs, topi hippos among others.  The best time for wildlife viewing around Serengeti national park is during the dry season around June to October.

Game drives around Serengeti national park are done around different times of day such as in the morning and during the day and can also go on for a full day of exploring the endless savannah plains of the national park in search of the numerous wildlife species such as lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, hippos, giraffes, impalas, zebras among others. There are also various bird species that can be spotted in Serengeti national park.

Visit Serengeti national park and enjoy a tour in the endless savannah plains as you see the great wildebeest migration.