Who hasn't dreamed of seeing thousands of wild animals during a trip to Africa? Tanzania is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world to experience a safari. But for an even more extraordinary natural spectacle, nothing quite compares to visiting during the great migration, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, among others, cross Tanzania (notably the Serengeti plains) heading to Kenya. An extraordinary moment, sublime, unforgettable, to experience during your trip to Tanzania. Here's our guide to not miss the great migration.

The great migration: in search of food and water

Each year, massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes travel together from Tanzania to Kenya and back, searching for water and food. More than 2 million wildebeest and at least 500,000 zebras make the journey each year, promising travelers the spectacle of a lifetime... Wild animals as far as the eye can see, the battle for survival, the hope for a greener tomorrow: this is what awaits you during a stay to observe the great migration in Tanzania.

This impressive natural phenomenon is guided by the rainy seasons in the two neighboring countries. Indeed, animals leave the Serengeti plains when they become too dry, searching for fertile lands for survival toward Masai Mara in Kenya. A cycle of over 1,000 km that takes animals from the Ngorongoro region to Masai Mara, passing through the Serengeti reserve.

When to see the great migration

The great migration depends on the rainy seasons and therefore the climate. While the dates are obviously not fixed, we can identify several key moments throughout the year that will help you plan your trip according to your nature desires...

The months of January and February mark the beginning of the season. The herds are found in the southern plains of the Serengeti and in the Ngorongoro region in Tanzania. It's also the birth season, particularly for wildebeest. Moreover, the plains are the ideal place to bring young, fragile animals into the world, since here predators have nowhere to hide.

In spring, during heavy rains, grass reserves run out. This is when the herds begin their migration and move to Kenya, north of Lake Victoria and near the Grumeti River. After a few months, the newborns are ready to follow the adults. It's also the mating season.

In summer, animals continue their migration toward the Masai Mara plains. They must notably cross the Mara River, which is very deep, powerful, and full of crocodiles... They remain there until the beginning of winter.

From October to December, animals return to Tanzania in the northern part of the Serengeti reserve.

You'll need to choose your visit timing based on your desires for landscapes, countries, and animals. If you want to see the migration put to the test, opt for June, when animals cross the Grumeti River, or summer, when they cross the Mara River. Dangers that will take your breath away and make for incredible photos.

In any case, the great migration is unpredictable since it depends on the seasons, but your local guides will find the herds during your trip to offer you an exceptional experience.

The animals of the great migration

The great migration is the world's largest animal transhumance, with at least 2.5 million animals crossing Tanzania each year, at a pace of approximately 80 km per day. Here are some animals you'll encounter during the great migration:

Wildebeest : They are the most numerous, around 2 million.

Zebras : They accompany the wildebeest on this adventure, numbering around 500,000. They particularly benefit from the massive herds of wildebeest for protection.

Gazelles or antelopes : While many join the phenomenon, it's not really because of the rainy season. Simply put, these animals eat short grass, so the grass left behind by wildebeest...

Apart from these animals that migrate, you can encounter during a safari the predators, those that take advantage of these mass movements to hunt. Among them, we can mention lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards, as well as numerous crocodiles that trap the weakest in the rivers.

Seeing the great migration isn't just the ideal time to observe massive herds of wild animals. They also have several rivers to cross, cliffs to descend, and must face numerous predators... Which gives rise to an extraordinary spectacle, wild, sometimes bloody...but unforgettable !

Marion Biremon