The Great Wildebeest Migration is an iconic natural phenomenon and a lifetime experience never to be missed. It’s a "bucket-list" item and a much-sought after experience for many international travellers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers and nature lovers.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a truly spectacular event that involves massive herds of over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. The journey in search of greener pastures is long, difficult and comes with a heavy cost. As these animals' sojourn, hot on their heels are the powerful and hungry predators roaming the African savannah including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards and wild dogs. As predators go on their daily hunt, scavengers will happily feast on the dead with zebras and antelopes fighting for their survival. It is the most amazing natural event you will ever witness.
It involves ever moving circular migration of animals across the Serengeti/Mara Ecosystem following an age-old route in search of greener, mineral rich pastures and water. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animals journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Along the way a lot of drama is witnessed as many are killed by predators and crocodiles and thousands more are born replenishing the numbers and sustaining the circle of life. The timing of this phenomenon depends on environmental factors, the weather patterns and of course, the animals themselves. Wildebeests can smell rain in the air from many of thousands of kilometres away as the skies begin to darken with heavy clouds.
This Greatest Wildlife Show on earth is today recognized as "one of the seven wonders of the natural world" and the best time to experience this incredible and dramatic event in Kenya & Tanzania is from July through to October. Your chances of witnessing river crossings along Mara River in Kenya are generally high during this period. Mara River is home to a huge and healthy population of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos. On the banks of this river, wildebeests gather in groups moving up and down, until one or more decide and then the herd mentality kicks in. They surge down the steep banks into the river and before long, each member of the herd is swimming for its life as the Nile crocodiles come calling with their massive jaws. Many succumb to drowning as they slip and are trampled or pushed under water by their own herd. Crossing this mighty river is the climax and those lucky to survive and make it across, sooner or later will find lions, wild dogs, hyenas and cheetah waiting anxiously to start their attack.
This greatest singular animal herd movement can be witnessed every year in different areas of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya.
WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE?
THIS WAS THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Wow… This was the trip of a lifetime! I felt like I was living in a National Geographic documentary the entire time I was on Safari! I was part of the group of three ladies and totally fell in love with Africa and hope to return in the next few years and will certainly be making my holiday arrangements with Maurice of Africa Safari Classics again. He was super professional and spot on with all his itinerary suggestions to make our safari feel seamless, effortless and completely stress free! Assigning us Jones, the safari guide/driver was a stroke of luck for us, as he fitted in so wonderfully with our dynamics, that we had the most awesome time. Not only did we learn a lot about Kenya/Africa and all the wonderful wildlife, but we also had lots of laughs with him and felt super safe the entire time! The gorilla tracking in Rwanda is also an absolute must, as this was the most incredible animal encounter I have ever experienced! AFRICA…… I’ll be back!!
Michaela Moller, Cairns, Australia
Sanctuary Kichakani is set in different strategic locations every year to follow the migrating herds of wildebeests. Each location guarantees you front-row seats to the most dramatic events of the Great Migration in the Serengeti and offers game viewing at its best, with lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo including the migrating wildebeest herds, zebras and antelopes. At Kichakani only canvas walls separate you from myriad of wildlife roaming freely in the Serengeti. Kichakani is a Swahili word meaning “in the bush” comprises of 10 tents each with a wooden deck, ensuite bathroom and bucket showers. The main guest area is a grand canopied series of lounges with superb views across the savannah. Outside, the traditional fireplace is a popular area where guests converge in the evening to sample delightful cocktails, exchange tales of the day and listen to interesting stories of wildlife encounters in the Serengeti from passionate guides with the sounds of the African wilderness in the background. The Chef and his team here will excite you with the most delightful cuisine served in style and beautifully presented that includes international flavours alongside Tanzania’s traditional delicacies, Kachumbari and coconut beans all spiced to your taste.
Designed with elegant simplicity, Siringit Migration Camp moves in symbiosis with nature, migrating with the herds from the spectacular Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti to the calving season in the Southern Serengeti. Siringit Migration features eight spacious canvas tents designed to bring you closer to natural surroundings. All are positioned on raised platforms providing the best views of the Serengeti plains. Each of the canvas tents has ensuite bathrooms with hot showers. Siringit Migration offers complete privacy in the wilderness where guests can embrace uninterrupted peace. The central communal area is a well-furnished comfortable lounge with veranda overlooking spectacular scenery where guests unwind with a refreshing drink as they share experiences of the day. Migration Camp moves with the migrating herds of wildebeest, simple and elegant picnic baskets are provided by the Camp’s chef to take with you on your game drives, enabling guests to enjoy lunch in the wilderness amidst wildlife or under canopy of acacia trees overlooking the magnificent landscapes of the Serengeti. Contemporary seasonal plates with African flavours are served in the mess tent. Body treatments and wide selection of massage therapies are available.
Set in a secluded area only a few kilometres from the Mara River, Serengeti Bushtops is ideally located to witness the Great Migration. This vast wilderness part of Northern Serengeti is home to all the Big 5. The strategic location of the camp enables easy access to explore and view huge variety of wildlife that inhabit this incredible wildlife sanctuary. Bushtops very passionate guides and game trackers will take you out for exciting and unforgettable game viewing excursions. Serengeti Bushtops blends very well with the surroundings and offers great service and accommodation. All the 15 luxurious tents boast of comfortable large beds, open-air showers and a game viewing deck with a bathtub. Serengeti Bushtop's elegant, open-sided restaurant provides mouth-watering à la carte dining with striking views across the Serengeti. Enjoy the finest cuisine, superb wines and attentive service, with provision for vegetarians and special diets. The communal structures at Serengeti Bushtops are located on the hillside providing spectacular views. The swimming pool is always the perfect place for cooling off between game drives. Your pampering experience can never be complete without different kinds of massage and spa treatments offered here.
Karibu's Serengeti River Camp is a charming luxury tented camp set amidst grove of acacia trees and grasslands few meters from the Mara River where the spectacular Mara River crossings of the Great migration take place from June to October. At Mara River thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles toss themselves into this mighty river overcrowded by Nile crocodiles ready to attack and feast on them. Lions, cheetah, hyenas, wild dogs and jackals are present here in great numbers as they seek to feast on weaker links of this ferocious race. All the 15 luxury tents are set at incredible viewpoints of this amazing location. The dining and bar lounge areas are perfect places for spending time enjoying the picturesque savannah grasslands teaming with wildlife. Serengeti River Camp's canvas tents come with private en-suite bathrooms and separate showers. Each tent is spacious, well furnished, has a comfortable sitting area and outside deck chairs ideal for relaxing to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. For your appetite, you will find different menus featuring variety of both continental and local cuisine crafted by trained, friendly and skilled chef. Enjoy barbecue dinners overlooking the stars and bush breakfast complimented by cool breezes and morning sunrise.
