The migration moves through the Serengeti and its varying landscapes throughout the year, meaning that each area offers a different game experience. The northern section plays host to the migrators between July and October, when they make the jump over the Mara River between Kenya and Tanzania. This is certainly a sight to behold, although patience can be required - take advantage of a big breakfast would be our advice. The photographs are worth the wait. Safari operators move in and set up luxury mobile tented camps in the area during this season, offering the best position to see the game. However, there are a couple of wonderful permanent lodges in the area, that continue to offer a great Serengeti safari experience throughout the year for those in search of a wild and remote landscape out of migration time.
In December, the wildebeest reach the Southern plains. Wide grassy plains are scattered with millions of wildebeest and zebra between December and March, and it is also famous for its big cats - all best spotted when staying in one of the luxury mobile tented camps that have then moved down from the northern sector with the migration in order to gain prime position.
In between these times, the migration can also be spotted in the Western corridor of the Serengeti. Once again, you can be sure to rely on the Serengeti safari operators that we work with to ensure that the mobile tents will be set up in the best game viewing areas.
The when-to-go-where rules don't apply to Central Serengeti as it doesn't rely on the migration, so has fantastic game all year round. The sweeping acacia-dotted plains are home to resident lion prides, cheetah, leopard and the rare collared black rhino. It often works well to combine a stay in the central Serengeti with either the north or the south, depending on your time of travel.
