Where Does The Great Migration Start?

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Following The Path Of The Great Migration In Tanzania

Tanzania’s Great Migration is one of the most amazing spectacles on earth! This annual Africa migration tour involves more than two million hooved mammals – including wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, and eland through the Serengeti National Park. The cyclical event occurs yearly, as the huge herd of animals follows their ancient Great Migration Path. But where does the Great Migration start? And where does it end? Keep reading if you’d like to learn more!

Planning Your Great Migration Safari

If you want to go on safari in Tanzania to see the Great Migration, you will need to know more about the annual Great Migration path. Since this is a cyclical event, a reputable tour operator like Gondwana Ecotours will know where to find the great herd at any given time during the year. Following this Africa migration tour is relatively easy as long as you travel to the right area of the Serengeti during the right month! Booking your safari with a knowledgeable guide will ensure you see the great herd on its epic journey across the plains.

Five Key Facts To Know About The Great Migration

Tanzania’s Great Migration is one of the biggest tourist attractions in East Africa. Thousands of eager tourists visit the country annually to follow the animals on their incredible Africa migration tour. The Great Migration is so famous that it’s considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world!

  • The Great Migration in Tanzania is considered one of the most magnificent wildlife spectacles on earth.
  • It involves over 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle migrating in search of fresh grazing grounds.
  • The Great Migration Path covers a distance of more than 1,800 miles throughout the Serengeti ecosystem.
  • It is a year-round event, with the animals moving in a circular pattern between Tanzania and Kenya.
  • The Great Migration is also known for its river crossings, where thousands of animals bravely traverse crocodile-infested waters along the Grumeti and Mara Rivers.

The Epic Journey Begins

The Great Migration’s path begins in the Southern Serengeti, as thousands and thousands of wildebeest calves are born. For the next few weeks, the adult members of the herd watch over the calves, keeping predators like lions and hyenas at bay. But once the dry season arrives in May, the herd begins to move North, in search of greener grasses and watering holes. Along the way, they must evade predators and survive dangerous river crossings, all so they can reach the Masai Mara in Kenya – before heading back to the Southern Serengeti to begin the cycle all over again.

The Best Time To Visit Tanzania To See The Great Migration

The Serengeti is always full of surprises, no matter the time of year. However, if you want to follow the Great Migration path, you’ll need to know where and when to go during the great herd’s journey. Most travelers pick the dry season between June and October for a safari in the Serengeti National Park. During this time, animals gather around rivers and waterholes to drink and cool off. The dry season is also one of the best times of year to witness the Great Migration – especially if you want to experience the drama of the annual river crossings. But there really is no wrong time to plan your African migration tour – you simply have to time your visit to the sights you want to see!

Here's a simple table that lists the pros and cons of each season, to help you better follow the annual Great Migration path.

Time of Year

Pros

Cons

December – April
  • Calving season – experience the incredible sight of thousands of newborn wildebeest in Seronera.
  • This area of the park is easily accessible to all safari-goers.
  • Enjoy beautiful views – the rain from the previous months has made the landscape lush and green.
  • See predators, including cheetahs, as they stalk the newborn calves.
  • During the first half of the year, it may be difficult to see animals from a distance. The rain from the previous months makes the vegetation lush and green.
  • The herd will remain confined to the Seronera and Ndutu regions, where they guard the newborn calves. There is little activity during the calving season.

May – July
  • Where does the Great Migration Start? In the Southern Serengeti regions of Seronera and Ndutu.
  • Once the newborn calves are ready to travel with the herd, the wildebeest begin their arduous journey across the great plains.
  • This is a good time to see the herd moving across the Serengeti’s plains to the Western Corridor, where they will cross the Grumeti River.
  • If you want to see the wildebeest on the move, these three months are the best months to follow the Great Migration path in Tanzania.
  • May through July is peak tourist season and a very popular time for safaris in Tanzania. During this time, the Serengeti can become crowded with tourists.
  • The herd will often stop along the riverbank for two or more weeks before attempting to cross the Grumeti River. This means that safari-goers may not be able to experience the animals on the move during their safari in Tanzania.

August - September
  • ·The herd begins moving farther North, crossing the Mara River.
  • Although most of the animals cross into Kenya and travel towards Masaai Mara, some will cross back and forth across the river for no apparent reason for several days. This strange activity has made the Mara River a popular destination for travelers on Africa migration tours.
  • Most of the herd leaves Tanzania and crosses into Kenya.
  • The Mara River is in a very remote area of the Serengeti National Park.
  • There are fewer camps along the Mara River than are in the more popular areas of the Serengeti.

October - November
  • The great herd of wildebeest prepare to cross the Mara River for a second time, in the remote Lobo region of the Serengeti National Park.
  •  This area is not a popular destination for tourists, which allows visitors to experience the Great Migration away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
  • The Lobo region is not as easily accessible to tourists as other regions of the Serengeti.
  • At this time of year, the movement of the Great Herd is unpredictable and wildlife sightings are more difficult to stumble across.
  • The Lobo area does not offer many tourist amenities or camps for safari-goers.

An Adventure Of A Lifetime In Tanzania

If you want to follow the Great Migration path in Tanzania, make sure you book a tour with a knowledgeable tour operator like Gondwana Ecotours! Their guides know the answer to questions like “Where does the Great Migration start?” And they know the best time of year to find animals gathering around rivers and waterholes, how to navigate the landscape so wildlife is easier to spot, and where to find the best accommodations and lodgings for guests. For a truly wild adventure, book a Tanzanian tour with Gondwana Ecotours to follow the wildebeest on their annual Great Migration.

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