Sleep in the Serengeti's migration camps

Although the migration is a never-ending pilgrimage, this period is often called the ‘start’ of the Great Migration. This is because it is the calving season for the wildebeest. Between January and March, over 8,000 wildebeests are born every day. By the end of March, although some are taken by predators like lion and hyena, around 1 million calves are born and ready to take on the challenge ahead. 

This calving period takes place in the southern plains of the Serengeti National Park, in an area called Ndutu. This region is generally more open compared to denser forested areas in the Serengeti which is an advantage for the herds as there are less ‘hiding spots’ for predators in bushes or trees. Out in the open, the herds can spot nearby danger and send alarm signals to the rest of the herd. This will ultimately reduce the element of surprise and give the mother time to protect her calf.

That said, there are over 3,000 lions living in the Serengeti ecosystem and, although they tend to have their own territories, some pride will travel further to take down the newborn calves. In fact, all big cat sightings are common during this period in the Ndutu region. Leopards, lions, cheetah, wild dog, and hyena are the main predators to the herds.

The period between July and October is often regarded as the most thrilling part of the Great Migration. The herds are now in the northern plains of the Serengeti National Park. This area is beautiful in every way. Compared to the central and southern plains of the Serengeti, the northern plains can only really be accessed via a light aircraft. This, along with the fact that there are much fewer camps in this region, means that tourist numbers are considerably lower than in other areas. The herds graze the plains around the Lamai Wedge in July until they are ready to make the monumental leap over the mini cliff edges of the Mara River. This is one of the most.

Although you can witness these river crossings from both the Tanzania (Serengeti) and the Kenyan side (Masai Mara), we’d recommend the Tanzania side. This is predominantly because there are much fewer tourists and vehicle numbers. There are 10 river crossing points on the Tanzanian side of the Mara River. Although your safari guide cannot predict which crossing they use, they will have been observing the herds every day so they will have a pretty good idea of their movements and predictions.

Once the herds cross the Mara River, they graze the plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya for a couple of months. Around October/ November time, the migration herds cross the Mara River in the opposite direction, heading back into Tanzania.

While the game viewing is certainly the highlight of your stay in the Serengeti, a huge part of the experience is the accommodation. One of our recommendations is to stay in a ‘migration camp’, which gives you the best opportunity to capture the herds. These have been around for a while but have become increasingly popular over the last few years.

A migration camp is one that relocates across the plains of the Serengeti, following the movement of the herds. Because of their temporary nature, these camps are usually canvassed and offer a simple and authentic bush experience. These canvassed tents are still very comfortable and often luxurious – with some offering outdoor showers and stargazing beds.

Get in touch to find out which accommodation we’d recommend for your Tanzania safari but, if you are looking for some safari camps to whet the appetite, we highly recommend Olakira Migration Camp, Namiri Plains, Lamai Serengeti, and Lemala Kuria Hills.