Serengeti National Park should be in every Tanzania safari itinerary, as it is home to the 1.5 million wildebeest that go on their annual migration to Kenya. For most of their lives, wildebeest graze in the grassy savannas and open woodlands of the vast Serengeti plains. Following the long rain season in April and May, the 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by 400,000 zebra and 200,000 gazelles begin their annual migration in search of greener pastures. The rain takes them northwest to the Grumeti River and north to the Kogatende area of Serengeti, where they would need to cross the crocodile-infested Mara River before arriving at the Maasai Mara in Kenya. From July to November, the migration animals graze in the open plains between Northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. In December, the herds would make their way back to Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area. It is here that these Tanzanian natives would stay to give birth to calves in February. Many refer to this phenomenon of over 2 million animals migrating annually as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. While on a great migration safari, you can also expect to see predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas who like to follow the herds for a chance to feast.
Although animals follow a similar migration loop every year, the day-to-day movement of these migration animals can be unpredictable, as with anything in nature. Animal movement varies according to environmental factors which are closely related to the rainfall of the year. When we design your Tanzania safari itinerary, we plan according to the migration pattern based on our experience and observation from the current and previous years so you will have the best chance to witness the Greatest Spectacle on Earth.