Great Migration Safari Tours and Packages for Kenya and Tanzania

Our Great Migration safaris in Kenya and Tanzania are specifically designed to place you in the heart of the action, including in the herds calving in Tanzania's Southern Serengeti or making the dramatic river crossings in Kenya's Masai Mara.

We create itineraries based on the herds' predictable annual movements, combining expert guiding with strategically located camps to maximize your chances of witnessing this incredible wildlife spectacle.

These tours are the pinnacle of wildlife viewing, requiring precise timing and logistical planning across two countries. We have different phases of the migration and guide on the key destinations involved, and how we structure our cross-border safaris to provide a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Positioning Your Safari for the Migration's Annual Cycle in Kenya and Tanzania

The Great Migration is a continuous, year-round event, and a successful safari depends entirely on being in the right place at the right time. The herds' location is dictated by the seasonal rains, but their movement follows a predictable annual pattern. We use this knowledge to plan our itineraries, ensuring your tour is centered on the area with the highest concentration of wildlife.

The migration's timeline determines the focus of our tours:

• January - March Tours (Tanzania): Our safaris focus on the vast southern plains of the Serengeti and Ndutu, where the wildebeest congregate for the calving season. This is a time of immense predator action.
• July - October Tours (Kenya & Tanzania): These are our most popular migration safaris. Itineraries are centered on the Northern Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara to witness the dramatic river crossings. This is the main focus of the Great Wildebeest Migration event.
• Other Months (Tanzania): During the transitional months (April-June and Nov-Dec), our tours follow the herds through the Serengeti's Western Corridor or their southward return journey.

Our team provides expert advice on which itinerary is best for your chosen travel dates. You can also review our general Best Time to Visit Kenya guide for more seasonal information.

Accommodation Strategy for Staying Close to the Herds

Your proximity to the main wildebeest herds is the single most important factor for a successful migration safari. The best strategy for this often involves staying in mobile or semi-permanent camps, especially in Tanzania's vast Serengeti. These camps are designed to move two or three times a year, following the migration's path to ensure guests are always in a prime location.

In the more compact Masai Mara ecosystem, there is an excellent selection of permanent lodges and tented camps situated in key locations along the Mara River and on the main migration routes. We select accommodation based on its strategic location for the time of year you are traveling. This might mean a camp in the Southern Serengeti for a February trip or a lodge overlooking a major crossing point in the Mara for an August safari. Booking well in advance is essential as the best-located properties fill up more than a year ahead.

Logistics of a Cross-Border Kenya and Tanzania Migration Safari

Many of our most comprehensive migration safaris include both Kenya and Tanzania. A combined trip allows you to experience the different landscapes of the Serengeti and Masai Mara and provides a more complete picture of the entire ecosystem. We manage all the cross-border logistics to ensure your journey is smooth and efficient.

The most common method is a road transfer via the Isebania border crossing. This involves clearing immigration on both sides of the border. We arrange for a seamless handover where you will be met by a new driver-guide and vehicle for the next leg of your journey. While there are no direct flights connecting the two parks' airstrips, we can arrange flights via regional airports for those who prefer to fly. Our collection of Kenya & Tanzania Combined Safaris showcases several itineraries that are expertly designed to handle these cross-border logistics.

Beyond the Wildebeest and Other Wildlife Encounters

The mass movement of the wildebeest is the main attraction, but a migration safari is also one of the best opportunities to see a huge variety of other wildlife. The sheer number of herbivores supports a large and healthy population of predators, and the action that surrounds the herds is a constant drama.

During your safari, you can expect to see:

• Major Predators: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas are all found in high concentrations, constantly shadowing the herds and looking for opportunities. The calving season in the Southern Serengeti is particularly known for its intense predator action.
• Other Herbivores: The migration is not just wildebeest. Hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles travel with them, and you will also see large numbers of resident wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and hippos.
• Crocodiles: The river crossings are made perilous by the giant Nile crocodiles that lie in wait in the Mara and Grumeti Rivers. Witnessing a hunt during a crossing is a raw and powerful, though sometimes difficult, experience.

A migration safari is a complete, ecosystem-wide event. It is one of the most comprehensive wildlife experiences you can have in Africa.

Choosing the Right Time to Travel for the Great Wildebeest Migration Safari

The "best" time to see the migration depends entirely on what you want to experience, as different months offer different highlights. Booking your trip for the right season and location is the most important decision you will make. Our detailed page on the Great Wildebeest Migration provides an in-depth look at the monthly movements.

Here is a summary to help you decide:

• For River Crossings: The prime time is from late July to September. Your safari should be focused on the Northern Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. This is peak season, and you must book far in advance.
• For the Calving Season: Plan your trip for February or March. Your safari will be in the Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. This is a fantastic time for predator sightings.
• For Fewer Crowds and Better Value: Consider the shoulder seasons of June or November. The herds are on the move in the Serengeti's Western Corridor or returning south. While you may not see a dramatic river crossing, you will still see immense herds with far fewer other vehicles around.

Sample Itineraries for a Great Migration Safari

Our migration safari itineraries are carefully crafted to maximize your chances of being in the right place at the right time. They are designed by experts who have an intimate knowledge of the herds' movements. The following are examples of well-tested routes, which can be customized to your preferences.

Example Itineraries:

• Kenya River Crossing Safari (7 Days): This tour focuses exclusively on the Masai Mara during the peak crossing season (July-October). It includes stays in different areas of the Mara ecosystem, such as the main reserve and a private conservancy, to give you the best possible chance of witnessing a crossing.
• Tanzania Calving Season Safari (8 Days): This itinerary is designed for travel between January and March. It concentrates on the Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu plains, combining stays in mobile camps with permanent lodges in the Seronera Valley and the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Combined Kenya & Tanzania Migration Safari (12 Days): This comprehensive journey allows you to experience the migration on both sides of the border. A typical route would start in the Serengeti and travel north, crossing into the Masai Mara to follow the herds. This is one of our premier Kenya & Tanzania Combined Safaris.

To start planning a safari focused on this incredible natural wonder, please contact us through our custom trip planner with your preferred travel dates and interests.