Where Is the Best Place For A Safari In Tanzania?

If you are planning your first trip to Tanzania, you may be wondering where the best place for a safari is in Tanzania. The answer is easy – the Serengeti. Serengeti National Park is famous for its annual Great Migration, which involves two million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes. It is also home to Africa’s Big Five - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffalos. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind safari experience, reserving your spot with a Tanzania travel company that offers tours in this magnificent park is the way to go.

The Crown Jewel Of Tanzania

The Serengeti has captured the imaginations of people for more than a hundred years. Each year, more than 350,000 visitors come to the park on safari. Many come to see the Great Migration, while others come to marvel at the flora and fauna within the park. The Serengeti fascinates many people because it is one of the oldest ecosystems in the world, with a unique combination of weather, wildlife, and plants that has remained relatively unchanged for over a million years. All things considered, the Serengeti is truly the best place for a safari in Tanzania!

What Is The Great Migration?

The Serengeti is home to the largest land migration of animals in the world, with vast numbers of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope moving from the southern Serengeti plains northward to Kenya’s Masai Mara, before heading back to the Serengeti in an endless cycle. The huge numbers of migrating herbivores migrate in search of food and water for the young that are born along the way, all while evading some of Tanzania’s biggest predators. Each year, the great herds follow a clockwise motion on their 300-mile journey. And each year, tourists flock to the Serengeti for a safari with a Tanzania travel company that can take them along for one of the wildest rides of their lifetime!

The Best Time To Visit For The Great Migration

The Great Migration is an annual event that can be seen in different parts of Serengeti National Park. What you see will depend on the time of year you visit. During the annual migration, you can see the great herds in the northern part of the national park, on the southern plains, near the Seronera area and the central plains, and in the western part of the park, near the Grumeti River. Asking when is the Great Migration in Tanzania won’t help you plan your trip, but knowing what you want to see will! Here is a seasonal breakdown of what you can see in the Serengeti during the Great Migration:

• December – March: the wildebeest are grazing in the southern area of the Serengeti, near Ndutu (which lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation area). During this time, the calves are born. This is one of the highlights of the Great Migration and attracts large crowds to the region. If you want to see all of the different animals together, visiting during the height of the calving season – in February – is recommended. Fun fact: within 10 minutes of birth, wildebeest are standing on their feet. They may be wobbly, but they will be ready to run when the herd decides to head out to the next location.
• May – June: once the rainy season is over, the south and east plains of the Serengeti dry out, prompting the beginning of the Great Migration. This generally happens in April or May. At that time, the herds begin to move north and west, heading to fresh grazing grounds and seeking out water. May is also the beginning of “the rut,” or mating season for the herd animals. Males put on incredible displays to attract females, which offers tourists the chance to snap some incredible photographs.
• July – August: the great herds arrive in the Northern Serengeti plains, and safari-goers will have a chance to see them crossing the great Mara River. This is a highlight for visitors and is considered one of the best times to visit for the Great Migration. However, it is also peak travel season in the Serengeti, so travel companies advise booking your trip a year in advance if you want to see the Mara River crossings!
• September – November: during the fall months, the migration starts to work its way back to the northern plains of Tanzania, where the cycle of birth and movement can begin again. It is worth it to know that fall brings the short rains, however, you can still go on safari during this time! The short rainy season does not affect roads or safari camps, so you can plan your safari in the Serengeti during the fall if you choose.

Predicting The Herd’s Path

While the Great Migration is an annual event, it is often difficult to predict the exact timing of the herd’s movement. The migration is driven by rainfall patterns and the subsequent grazing opportunities for the herds as they move across the Serengeti’s vast plains. Working with a Tanzania travel company and their knowledgeable guides is the best way to guarantee that you’ll see the great herds during your adventure. Just keep in mind that each month of this exciting circuit offers visitors a chance to see a unique facet of the migration. Whether it's calving season, the rut, or a dramatic river crossing – there is always something interesting to see on a Great Migration safari.