Tanzania Experiences
Follow one of nature’s great journeys across the Serengeti ecosystem, shaped by the seasons and the rains.
A Living Landscape
Each year, vast herds of wildebeest, joined by zebra and gazelle, move through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, which reaches from northern Tanzania into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, in search of fresh grazing and water. There is no single place or date to see it: the migration is a continuous cycle, shaped by the rains and different every year.
As new grass follows the rain and then dries out, the herds shift between the southern plains, the western corridors and the north. River crossings happen along the way, but they are natural events — no one can say when, or whether, a crossing will take place on a given day.
The Migration Year
A general pattern rather than a timetable: the herds respond to rainfall, and no two years are quite the same.
Early in the year, the herds often gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where many calves are born.
As the plains dry, the herds typically begin moving through the central and western Serengeti in search of grazing.
Later in the year, the northern Serengeti is known for crossings of the Mara River. They are natural events: their timing and frequency cannot be scheduled or predicted.
With the arrival of the short rains, the herds usually drift back towards the southern plains, and the cycle begins again.
When to Go
Because the herds follow the rain, their position shifts from year to year. Rather than chasing a fixed date, it helps to choose the time of year and the area of the Serengeti that match what interests you most — calving on the southern plains, the herds on the move, or the northern rivers where crossings may occur.
Wildlife movements are natural and can never be guaranteed, but thoughtful timing gives you a better chance of being in the right area.
Where to Experience It
Featured Journey
7 Days / 6 Nights
Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, then Serengeti days routed around where the herds are expected to be in your travel season.
From US$3,350 per person
Seasonal routing may affect the final price. River crossings are never guaranteed.
Combine Your Experience
Experience
Time in Tanzania’s great safari landscapes, observing wildlife in its natural setting.
Experience
Respectful connection with the people, traditions and everyday life of Tanzania.
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