Why Go on a Migration Safari?
Witness the Great Migration
Every year, about 2 million animals follow the rains and their ancient instincts on an epic, 3 000-kilometre (1 900-mile) journey.
Witnessing one of the death-defying river crossings is like watching a live National Geographic film.
One-of-a-Kind Experiences
From floating silently over the Wildebeest Migration’s mega-herds in a hot-air balloon to immersing yourself into the wild landscape staying in mobile safari camps, a migration safari offers the kind of experiences found nowhere else on Earth.
Exclusive Lodges & Camps
Despite some camps being situated in remote wilderness locations, they still offer superb amenities like private plunge pools, spas and gyms.
You can even choose to stay at mobile camps that are set up and move throughout the year to the best spots to see all the action of the herds.
Quick & Easy Air Transfers
There are dedicated airstrips that service both Kenya and Tanzania’s national reserves and private conservancies.
The best migration itineraries are fly-in itineraries, which eliminate the need for long road transfers – meaning more time on safari!
Convenient Add-Ons
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your migration safari with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda.
The same goes for crowning your trip along Kenya’s gorgeous coast or on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
Superb, Year-Round Game Viewing
The safari destinations that play host to the Great Migration are some of the heavy hitters and deliver sensational safari experiences any time of the year.
When you are following the herds, you are sure to be wonderstruck by the diversity of wildlife in Africa.
The Great Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration in Africa – also known as the Gnu Migration, Serengeti Migration and Masai Mara Migration – is one of the last mass terrestrial wildlife movements left on the planet.
It’s the chief reason why so many travellers venture to Kenya and Tanzania for a Migration safari, especially around mid-year.
Accommodation From $450 USD
per person per Night Sharing
From $650 CAD
per person per Night Sharing
From $1,050 AUD
per person per Night Sharing
From €1,000 EUR
per person per Night Sharing
From R15,000 ZAR
per person per Night Sharing
Top Safari Destinations to Witness the Great Migration
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-do for first-time and returning safari goers alike.
The park’s astonishing density of wildlife offers a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of the year you visit, and the wide-open plains and mild climate mean that vegetation is never too dense to see animals.
Highlights:
- The Great Wildebeest Migration (December to October)
- Incredible year-round game viewing, especially predators
- Tailor-made safaris for couples, honeymooners, families and adventure seekers
- Adjacent private game reserves offer supreme exclusivity and unique activities like off road game viewing and night drives – plus you have access to the national park for sensational game viewing.
Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya
The Masai Mara National Reserve’s wide, open plains provide a sanctuary for an abundance of animals like elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena and the Mara’s famous big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah.
Between about July and November every year, the Mara is a much-welcomed pit stop for unending masses of wildebeest that follow the rains on their epic journey.
Highlights:
- The Great Wildebeest Migration (July to November)
- Hot-air balloon safari – perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary
- Fantastic year-round game viewing – especially Africa’s top predators
- The private conservancies’ exclusivity, excellent game viewing in sole-use areas and activities like night drives, bush walks and off-road game viewing – not permitted in the national reserve.
Consider Adding...
Amboseli
With its perennial wetlands flourishing beneath towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the best place in East Africa to see massive herds of elephant.
If you’re looking for that iconic postcard image of wildlife against a Kili backdrop, this is the place to get the shot.
Ngorongoro Crater
Created about 3 million years ago when a massive volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. A diverse ecosystem of savannah, lakes and forest, the crater is renowned for its geological splendour, out-of-this-world cliff-top accommodation and delivering East Africa’s most reliable Big 5 game viewing.
Laikipia
The high plains of Laikipia are increasingly recognised as one of Kenya’s best safari regions. It’s home to some of the country’s most encouraging conservation success stories like the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a sanctuary for black and white rhinos as well as Grevy’s zebra.
Browse our Migration Safari resources
Migration Safari Trip Ideas
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Mara, Crater & Serengeti Migration
Highlights:
- Unrivalled Big 5 game viewing
- Witness the Great Migration (July to October)
- Legendary Masai Mara & Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara
Combining Kenya’s Masai Mara with Tanzania’s Serengeti already promises a rewarding safari – when the Ngorongoro Crater is added to the mix, you have one of the most wildlife-intense experiences in Africa. In the company of expert guides, you will enjoy game drives, walks and horseback safaris as you search for the Big 5 and massed herds of migrating wildebeest plus their ever-present predators.
This 10-day tour opens with the old-world charm of a Tanzania coffee estate and a grand manor house set on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.
You then settle back into the comfortable embrace of tented safari camps in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, all in prime locations designed to catch the Wildebeest Migration at its most dramatic. In addition, you will find plenty of pleasant extras at these accommodations such as a massage service, childminders for families, private dining, Wi-Fi Internet reception and swimming pools.
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM $12,000 CAD
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM $20,500 AUD
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM €19,500 EUR
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM £15,600 GBP
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM R289,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
Tarangire, Highlands & Migration
Under the vast blue skies of East Africa, which are painted with wisps of white clouds tinged pink and gold by the rising sun, you awake to the sounds of the birds in Tanzania, where the Arusha Coffee Lodge welcomes you to Big 5 country.
There is even more to see and do on this 8-day holiday: venture to Lemala Ngorongoro on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most famous places and a World Heritage Site. The crater’s caldera is filled with about 30 000 animals, making for some of the easiest game viewing anywhere on the continent and the place where you are most likely to see all of the Big 5 in a single game drive.
Then, between December and March, set up camp at Lemala Ndutu at the permanent marsh in Ngorongoro Crater, which boasts the best seats in the house for the Great Migration. From July to October the camp moves to Lemala Mara in the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River.
Highlights:
- Fly-in safari to the northern parks
- Fantastic year-round game viewing
- Inclusive of lodge, flights and game drives
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM $9,600 CAD
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM $15,350 AUD
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM €14,600 EUR
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM £11,700 GBP
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
FROM R216,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Per Night Sharing
How Much is a Migration Safari?
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity). As a guideline, Migration safaris can range anywhere from approximately $450 USD per person per night in low season to over $1,650 USD at the finest lodges in high season.
What Costs Are Included?
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives, and other excursions like walking safaris and cultural village visits will all be included.
To operate in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5 to 1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easy.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Ashley Gerrand
"The great wildebeest migration is a truly spectacular, bucket-list experience that is unique to Kenya and Tanzania. Not only can it be enjoyed when the herds are on the move (June-August), but being able to enjoy it at other times of the year, such as calving season (January-March), is fantastic because it gives you the chance to “witness” it more than once on different trips!"
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