FAST FACTS
| Where: | Tanzania and Kenya |
| Geographical spread: | Spans 30 000 square kilometres (18,641.1 sq mi) |
| Status: | Longest and largest overland migration in the world |
| Species: | 70 species of large mammals, 500 bird varieties |
| Best time to travel: | Whenever you go, find out where the animals are. The Migration follows the rain: gathering from June/ July in the Serengeti and heading towards the Masai Mara in August/ September; October – December the animals move back into the Serengeti. |
THE EXPERIENCE
Serengeti means “endless plains” and this is Africa exactly as you imagine it. Never-ending Savanna grassland, interrupted only by the outline of the occasional Acacia tree. And, within this vast wilderness, you will encounter some of the last great herds on earth.
Millions upon millions of wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and eland; migrating endlessly after the rains in search of sweet grasses to support their great numbers.
River crossings are the most thrilling part of the experience. The animals may graze for hours or days on end before swimming the river. It may mean sitting in your safari vehicle and watching. But watching is never dull…wherever there are massive herds of herbivores; there are always predators close by. Lions, cheetah and hyenas pick of the old, straggling and slow. Vultures scour the skies. When the migration does take the plunge, keep your eye peeled for the enormous crocs that line the banks and offer a sinister end to the weaker swimmers.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the migration has long been heralded as one of the planet’s most amazing and awe-inspiring wildlife experiences. The fact that it is also fairly easily accessible makes it a must for any visitor to the region.
TIMELESS AFRICA SAFARIS TIPS
- Take a long lens camera
- Float silently over the endless plains on a balloon safari, allowing you to absorb the grandeur and size of both the landscape itself and the expanse of the migrating wildlife.
- Make bookings well in advance as this is one of the world’s great wildlife attractions and gets booked up early.
- Excellent birding destination with Lake Manyara’s flamingo population being a highlight
- Add on a tropical island holiday to the nearby Mnemba or Lamu Islands or to Zanzibar