I’ve never seen the wildebeest migration but from your photos it looks spectacular. I intend to zero in on a good operator on either the Tanzania or Kenya side nearest the River Crossings. This has certainly been borne out by the experiences of my clients on the ground, but as Sciguy quite rightly points out, that's not to say there aren't excellent crossings in the Serengeti too- there are- and if you do get to see one it is likely to be less busy than the Masai Mara crossings. What does "non commissionable rate" mean? Typically they do not stay at a specific area for more than 3 weeks. They say it’s not as spectacular as the Mara River (Grumeti is not as wide, deep, or big supposedly), but just know you may get your river crossing here. Short time for a Safari. Photo about Herds crossing the Masai Mara river, Kenya. The north west area of Tanzania is one of the best kept secret of Serengeti. It is sad, some of my friends have also fallen for this. Lake Natron in February - is it worth to visit? Related: What are the most popular tours in Tanzania? Written by: Marzook aka Zookk – Nature and Wildlife Lover, Passionate Photographer, Selective story teller. Therefore, to watch wildebeest river-crossings, one has to be close to Mara river between July to September. Of course, the few mobile lodges here are more exclusive and expensive too. Also, some of the areas have resident animals that do not migrate. From July, August to September, the Mara River in northern Serengeti affords the most dramatic river crossings. They tend to move with the weather if it rains all over the Serengeti and remember Maasai Mara is a very small part of the Serengeti they will move differently to years when it rains in isolated areas. The months where they should be or where they might be. The most emblematic moment of the migration occurs in July or August when the wildebeest trek across the Mara river in order to arrive at their destination. See more of his safari photography on Instagram All photos in this post property of Zookk. I highly recommend a safari, at least once in a lifetime! Kenyan side is easily accessible and hence it could be very crowded during these months. If you want your best chance of seeing a river crossing, I'd go to the Masai Mara ((ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So to me Tanzania has a better wildlife experience. Best time to see the migration crossing the river and where? Also thanks for the tips. I sure would want to see these mass herd crossing and I hope luck permits. Totally agree with writer based on his experience. It may be a good idea to do a fly-in from Arusha/Kilimanjaro to Kogatande airstrip and head to the camp in this area saving 2 driving days of the whole trip. Where would be the best place to stay? The River's Flow. Where will that be? July-September): Headed North, this is probably the window with the highest likelihood to witness a Mara River crossing! This is when the big event occurs, the start of major Mara River crossing. I want to learn about the Tanzanian people and their culture, is that possible? If you're waiting say on the Grumeti River, you've got chances of seeing some wildebeest cross, whist very many indeed are still a long way off. This kind of exclusiveness is beyond words. There is an easy flight between the two areas that could have you in the Mara from the Serengeti before lunch on the same day (2 / 3 hours later) via Tarime and Migori. The best part…despite many possible other outcomes…they did, indeed, put us at just the right spot at just the right time for an unbelievable 40 minute crossing of the Mara by tens of thousands of animals. One of the wonders of the world, the largest animal migration of anywhere on Earth happens in the rainy months of July to October every year. This means if you would have been in either of the two at any of the above mentioned dates then you would have been on the wrong side last year - this happened to many people. Read More On Northern Serengeti Safari 2. I am not asking to predict where they will be a year out. Serengeti in May - do you see the great Migration??? A window of 4 months is quite a long time. Long ago, tourist could enter here from Kenya through the park easily. Being there at the right time is an experience of life-time. What are the electrical requirements for Tanzania. Thank you for sharing this and all your other posts. 2013 showed us that the herds crossed into the Mara in July (most of them) then an early return to the Serengeti during September, then a return to the Masai Mara late in 2013 (November) and finally a last return to the Serengeti. I’ll get to research more about them. Our aim is to spread a passion for all types of travel to Africa, inspire and to encourage people to take first step into wonderful world of Africa! Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for your unselfish tips which is truly a big help for all of us. Being there at the right time is an experience of life-time. Kenya has far more lodges, camps, vehicles, and crowds than Tz. The height of action in Kogatende is at its peak during August. I was in Tanzania and Kenya with a group of ffriends and friends of friends. I don't mind being confused with sciguy...should be called niceguy instead. Its all about the bang you get for your money:). I have contacted a few TOs but they seems to have differing advice. Reading any post on a Safari brings many emotions to me. What can I do for medical care while I am in Tanzania, What to pack - how can I squeeze in everything I want to take. That’s 20 times as big as a country like Singapore. I agree! The crossings will continue through September - which is generally your last chance of seeing them cross the Mara River. In September (generally speaking- as Sciguy says- it's nature, so there's no timetable) the herds are concentrated in the far north of the eco-system. The herd breaks into smaller groups- almost half of the animals remains in the northern Serengeti, the rest of the wildebeest will have crossed the M… We were lucky enough to see 2 river crossing. Myself I am not sure If I want to see this in person. I can see from your post that you too say that it is a matter of chance. Wildebeest migration is on my list. It was my dads dream to go on Safari and he passed before he was able to make it a reality. Even though you need to book months in advance I still think the best chance of seeing the crossings without more tourists than wildebeest and that long line of 50 mini buses would be (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Mara River basin covers a surface of 13,504 km 2, of which approximately 65% is located in Kenya and 35% in Tanzania. So more wildebeest concentrated in one place. If you have suggestions for Operators … deeply appreciated! Is there river crossing in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The crossing of the Mara River during the wildebeest migration is one of natures all time spectacular events. © Safari Junkie. I have not been able to get a definitive answer from tour operators and hence this question. Focus on the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti by the Mara River and offers the opportunity to see river crossings Best time to visit Tarangire (July to October) with high density of mammals including large herds of elephants and lions Best time for water bird viewing in … Mara River, Masai Mara National Reserve: "When is the best time of the year to see the..." | Check out 10 answers, plus see 1,950 reviews, articles, and 1,817 photos of Mara River, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 76 attractions in Masai Mara National Reserve. Instead time your visit for when you know they should be already in the Mara (late July or early August). The predators gets active in the area where these herds are. The sheer size of the Serengeti means you can't just hop from Grumeti to the Mara River with ease because the herds have moved on. Perhaps, they don’t want to make it too rough for the tourist or due to choice of lodges. Mara River Crossing Safari is primarily focusing on “ Great Migration” when crossing the Mara River to the Maasai Mara in the southern Kenya and back Serengeti. As a herd of zebra cross the Mara River, near the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, one is caught in the jaws of a crocodile but the zebra manages to wriggle free as they reach the riverbank. Mighty Mara River Crossing Safari; Witness the “World Cup of Wildlife” as thousands of wildebeest and zebras attempt to cross the mighty Mara River on their annual migration from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-56703075', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Serengeti side to be wilder, and with fewer people at the crossings, which is lovely if (big if) you get to see a crossing. 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