“One day, my daughter, I want you to see Africa when the plains begin to move.”
One day, when my daughter was curious about the Great Migration, she asked, “Why do you keep talking about the Great Migration?”
I smiled for a reason that I was aware of.
On an African safari, there are numerous beautiful things to see. The lions relaxing under the tree, elephants strolling softly amongst the grass, giraffes reaching up with their long necks to the tallest leaves. However, the great migration safari is unique.
It’s not one animal… It is not one park. It’s by no means one afternoon!
It isn’t a journey with a clear beginning and end. The cycle continues throughout the year.
If I found myself with a cup of tea by my daughter’s side, planning her first safari I would say, “Don’t ask me when the migration is, ask me where they’re heading, why and what this looks like.”
So the real story begins.
“Mum, when am I going?”
I believe this is the first question that she would ask.
And the truth is, it’s the question practically every traveller asks.
I would tell her that the Great Migration roams around throughout the year between Tanzania and Kenya. The herds move with the rains and in search of fresh pasture; there is no set time when the whole herd is suddenly on the move.
Every year, however, is divided into chapters.
The southern Serengeti is an important calving area, particularly from January to March, with February often marking the peak of births. Thousands of young wildebeests can arrive to a landscape where fresh grass is available.
I suspect I would say to my daughter, “This is when you see the gentler side of the migration.”
Very young calves are standing up. Young ones are closely guarded by their mothers. There is a new life in the plains.
But I will also tell her that Africa is not just beautiful; When there are young animals, there are predators near.
All of this is a remarkable natural cycle of the lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
That’s why I’m so interested in it. It’s not just about the movement of the animals. It’s about seeing a whole ecosystem react to the season(s) changing.
Then the journey begins again
The herds start migrating with the passing of months.
I would tell my daughter not to visualize the migration as a trip from one place to another when the journey was quite a mess.
It’s much more normal than that.
- Rain falls.
- Grass grows.
- The animals follow.
- The landscape changes.
- And the herds follow the changing conditions.
April and May can bring wetter conditions across parts of the Serengeti, with greener landscapes and generally fewer visitors in some areas.
By June, the western corridor and northern Serengeti can become important areas to follow the herds.
“If you were with me,” I would say to her, “we wouldn’t be looking at the map for the whole day, we would look at the sky, the grass, the tracks and listen to the guide.”
That’s how you start to learn about the migration.
The moment everyone is waiting for
Next, would be the section that my daughter would probably be most excited about.
The river crossings.
The herds may cross the Mara River between Tanzania’s northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara ecosystem.
I would explain to her that she has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of photographs of wildebeest being gathered near water, dust rising behind them, crocodiles awaiting below.
I will also give her one important thing to consider, however.
Don’t expect the river crossing to happen on your schedule.
Nature doesn’t work that way. The wildebeest may be near the river and not go anywhere until an irresistible thought strikes them, at which point they jump into action and vanish, only to come back later or head in a completely different direction. You can sit and wait for hours to see what happens and then, all at once, a wildebeest comes into the river. That’s the part of it that makes migration so exciting and memorable.
That ambiguity is a part of it.
A good wildebeest migration guide should always explain this. It is never certain that a river crossing can work on a specific day.
And in my opinion, it’s even more interesting.
July to October: A classic migration period
If my daughter asked me if the most dramatic time of the migration was when, I would tell her July to October.
At this time the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara may be especially notable.
The timing varies from year to year as the animals are sensitive to the rain and grazing conditions.
However, during this time, visitors may also view large numbers of herds on the move across the landscape and with luck and patience may observe river crossings.
I would tell her that she shouldn’t make a trip just because someone promised, “The crossing will be on this date.”
No one can guarantee it.
Rather, I would pick a spot carefully, spend a few days there and leave with whatever message the nature had to offer us.
“But which one would you choose — Kenya or Tanzania?”
I know my daughter would ask me this next.
Here I would take the map out.
“Look here,” I would say turning towards Tanzania.
There is a vast ecosystem that is encompassed by Serengeti migration, with various areas of the Serengeti being significant at various times of the year.
The areas of the southern plains are particularly significant during the calving season.
Later, the herds move towards western and northern areas.
After that, they can pass into Kenya’s Masai Mara ecosystem, depending on the situation.
Tanzania gives you the chance to experience different stages of the migration across the Serengeti ecosystem.
The Serengeti is a vast place.
Open. Endless.
You could be in a safari vehicle and virtually lose sight of the horizon in the middle of the plains, surrounded by the incredible diversity of Tanzania parks.
If my daughter wanted to find out more about this part of the journey, I would recommend sending her to our Serengeti Safari Guide before planning.
And then there is the Masai Mara
Now I would start to slide my finger up the map.
“Here. Kenya.”
The Maasai Mara has a different feel, with wide grasslands and excellent year-round wildlife viewing.
The open grasslands can be great for wildlife viewing, and there are resident elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, leopards and lions here.
Migration with the coming of the herds can make it even more exciting during the migration season.
The Great Migration in the Maasai Mara is often associated with the Mara River, but I would advise my daughter that she shouldn’t think this is the only reason to visit.
It’s not always a dramatic crossing, but it can be a spectacular event to see the large herds of animals across those grasslands.
But the quieter moments can be just as memorable.
An individual giraffe in a landscape with a distant horizon.
Zebra walking through grass.
A lion sitting at a distance watching.
Dust in the afternoon sun.
That is Africa too.
“So, Mum, when would you actually take me?”
Onto the real question.
If she wanted to see the babies and the start of the cycle, I would see January to March.
If she was interested in observing the herds flowing in and out of the Serengeti with the seasons, I would take the next few months seriously, depending on the rainfall and local weather.
If she dreamed of the famous northern migration, and perhaps river crossing, I would concentrate particularly on July to October.
But I would never tell her that one month is perfect for everyone.
There isn’t one.
What you want to do will determine your perfect great migration safari.
That’s always a lesson I give to visitors travelling to Africa: don’t just replicate another person’s safari.
Select the season that will correspond to your dream.
I would also say to her to take it easy. This is likely my first and foremost recommendation.
“Don’t rush.”
People are told about the Great Migration and they think of a lot of activity.
- Thousands of animals running.
- River crossings.
- Predators.
- Dust.
- Drama.
However, a safari is not a film. Quiet hours are in effect. At times, nothing appears to happen.
Then suddenly, things change.
You may be sitting quietly in the car when your guide spots something distant.
All are still as you raise your binoculars and catch sight of them, a herd slowly traversing the open plains. It can only be a few moments – but they linger with you long after the safari is over.
The migration is bigger than the wildebeest
I would probably remind my daughter of this also.
Yes, wildebeest are at the heart of the Great Migration. But they are not travelling alone.
They’re not travelling alone though.
Zebra walks along with them.
Gazelles are a component of the ecological whole.
- Behind the scenes are the predators.
- Lions wait.
- Cheetahs search.
- Hyenas follow.
- The crocodile is watching the river.
- Each species has a link to the future.
That’s why I like the concept of a wildebeest migration guide that not only tells you where animals are but what they are doing.
It’s important to know the terrain as well.
The grass changes when it rains. When it rains, the grass changes.
When the herbivores eat the grass, the grass changes.
Predators are affected by the herbivores’ movement.
And so, it goes round.
What I would pack for her
When you’re coming with me, I would add, “don’t forget the practical things.”
- A warm layer for early mornings.
- Comfortable, breathable clothing
- A wide-brimmed hat
- Sun protection
- Binoculars
- A camera, if you enjoy photography
- Plenty of patience
I would also tell her to have a realistic view of her expectations.
Not all the animals you dream of may be visible.
There may not be a river crossing available.
There can be hours of waiting.
But that doesn’t mean that the safari has failed.
A safari is about being there when nature gives you something to see. A safari is a lot about “being there, when it is there, doing what is wanted.
One more thing I would tell my daughter
Try not to waste the entire safari just to look inside the camera. Of course, take photos! Capture the landscapes, the herds and those special moments you know you will want to remember. However, take the time to look with your own eyes every so often. Just listen to the wind, observe the wildlife, and always remember the landscape, without having to capture it on a memory card. You can, however, remember how it felt when you were sitting quietly in the Serengeti and thousands of animals walked across the horizon several years later without remembering the photo you took.
Is a Great Migration Safari worth it?
If my daughter asked me this I would smile.
“Yes — but perhaps not for the reason you think.”
I wouldn’t tell her to go simply because everyone says she should.
I would remind her of the migration, and that it is an opportunity to witness one of the great journeys in nature and encourage her to go.
It teaches patience.
It brings out the weather.
It helps you to realize the intimate relationship between animals and land.
But it reminds you that nature does not keep to the calendar!
It’s a phenomenon that is what makes the great safari migration so special.
- You can plan your flights.
- There is a choice of lodges.
- The choice of park location is up to you.
But, one cannot predict the timing of the wildebeest crossing the river.
And maybe that’s the way it ought to go.
The story I would want her to remember
So, if one day my daughter asked me to tell her more about the Great Migration I don’t think I would begin with dates.
I would explain to her the huge sky.
- The golden grass.
- The sound of thousands of hooves.
- The stillness before something happens.
- The excitement when a herd begins to move.
But the odd thing about it was realising that these animals are following this ancient rhythm before we arrived to watch them.
Then I would show her the map, and she would then get it.
I would go to Tanzania, then Kenya. And I would say:
“The best part of the Great Migration is that you’re not simply visiting a place. You’re witnessing a story that has been unfolding across these plains for generations.”
If your heart is already in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, then welcome travellers, begin your planning with curiosity and not a photograph in mind.
- Consider the season.
- Look at the region.
- Allow enough time.
- Take care with your safari style.
And allow for some room for the unexpected.
If you need more inspiration, you can consult our Types of African Safaris section and then begin planning with our Ultimate African Safari Holidays guide, our Masai Mara Safari guide and our Tanzania Safari guide.
Because sometimes the best journeys begin with a simple question:
“What if I followed the wild instead of following the calendar?” steeped inworld holiday vibes.
FAQ
A: January-March in the southern Serengeti.
A: No, river crossings are uncontrolled by man and no time can be predicted.
A: Tanzania provides a view of the entire journey, while the Masai Mara in Kenya is known for its Mara River and open grasslands.
A: From July to October.
A: Binoculars, comfortable clothing and sun protection, plus patience.
Source
E- book:
- https://ebooks.vibesgroupuk.com/books/zpxr/
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/holiday-travel-guide-ebook
Youtube
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YavMmHK0XUI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X72kPJ4XTU&list=PLNUm9YypsEQCLTnmAoQijeNXfxSgKZFaB
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F9NWbShnrU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-67Ujy_ga4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzkT8hf0EC8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZE2ipDg7LQ
Facebook:
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2022445845326016
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1507201421153719
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1532669025175724
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/4159963504228590
useful links:
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/destinations/africa
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/destinations/africa/madagascar
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/holiday-deals/madagascar-northern-highlights-madagascar-whv2308
- https://www.worldholidayvibes.com/holiday-deals/escape-to-madagascar-your-wild-paradise-madagascar-whv3198
