One of the top reasons for traveling to Tanzania and Kenya is the biggest wildlife spectacle on earth: The Great Migration.
Although other companies offer “migration safaris,” we can plan the best route to be in the best place at the best time. You can do a private safari or a group safari with first-hand, close-up wildlife encounters away from crowded lodges.
8 reasons why you should experience the Great Migration:
1) The world’s largest land migration
Millions of wildebeests participate in the migration following the rains through Tanzania and Kenya. Hundreds of thousands of zebra join them. They spend January-May in the southern Serengeti plains where they babies are born. They head north in June on the western corridor of the Serengeti, reaching Kenya for September-October. In November, they head south again on the eastern side of the Serengeti.
2) Amazing photography
Professional photographers swarm to Africa just for a chance at experiencing the migration. From any angle, the large herds offer an amazing subject for your photographs.
3) Predator Activity
Although lions and other carnivores do not migrate with the grazing animals, they feast on them when their paths cross. The most famous predator interaction — crocodiles at the Mara River — is not easy to predict, but this is near the Tanzania/Kenya border, so typically in September-October. Predators also gather during calving season.
4) Cute wildebeest babies
Typically, all the wildebeest babies are born February-March every year in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu) area. The young babies jump to their feet and are ready to run almost immediately. The mothers move to the short grassy areas so that they can watch for predators more easily.
5) Swarm intelligence
From the outside, the crossings seem to be frenzied and uncalculated, but the animals are, in fact, systematically exploring and overcoming the obstacle as one single unit – or swarm.
6) Best lodging to observe the migration
The best place to stay for your safari depends on when you go, and what level of accommodations you prefer.
On the budget to mid-range level, we like the Serengeti Halisi Camp, which is a mobile tented camp that moves to be close to the migration. For December-March, it is in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu) area. June-October, the camp is located in the Central Serengeti area (Seronera). A luxury option is the Serengeti Migration Camp, pictured here.
For September-October, you will either want to be in Masai Mara in Kenya, or in the Kogatenda/Mara area in the northern Serengeti.
7) Different months offer different migration experiences
Sometimes, the migration is crossing the river. Sometimes, the wildebeest are all in a single-file line. Sometimes, they are running as fast as they can. Sometimes, they are just standing around all in a big group. Sometimes, they are giving birth to their babies.
The migration timing depends on the water resources, and the animals move daily. Therefore, it is impossible to predict exactly, but your safari guide will know where the animals are. You will will have the opportunity to see incredible wildlife at any time of year!
8) Hot air balloon safari
Your hot air balloon safari starts at sunrise for a 1-hour flight to view the animals and migration from up high and down low as you float across the savannah.
Upon landing, you are met with champagne and gourmet breakfast in the bush.
This itinerary combines a 7-day group Kilimanjaro trek on the Machame Route followed by a 5-day group safari, which includes the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater plus a big finish with the Kilimanjaro Marathon. You can add on a 
