When is the best time to see the migration?+
There is no single best time, only different events. Late July to September for the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. Late January to early March for the calving season on the southern plains, which has the highest predator activity of the year. June for the Grumeti crossings in the west. Tell us your dates and we will tell you honestly what they will show you.
Can you guarantee we will see a river crossing?+
No, and neither can anyone else. Crossings are unpredictable — herds can mass on the bank for hours and turn back, cross twice in a morning, or not cross for three days. What we can do is put you in the right place with enough time: four nights in the northern Serengeti gives you several genuine attempts. Any operator guaranteeing a crossing is misleading you.
How many nights do I need in the north?+
Three at an absolute minimum, four is what we recommend. One or two nights means one or two attempts, and the odds are simply not good enough. If the budget forces a choice, cut a park elsewhere rather than a night at the river.
Is the calving season better than the crossings?+
For predator action and photography, arguably yes — and it is warmer, greener, quieter and cheaper. Around 8,000 calves are born daily around Ndutu in February, with lion, cheetah and hyena in constant attendance. The crossings are more dramatic as single events; the calving season is more consistently active.
Where exactly are the herds in my month?+
Roughly: December to March the southern plains and Ndutu; April to May moving north-west through Moru; June the western corridor and Grumeti; July to October the north and the Mara River; November swinging back south. Rainfall shifts this by weeks in either direction every year, which is why we re-check before quoting.
Do I need a mobile camp?+
In crossing season it helps a great deal. Mobile camps relocate two or three times a year to stay with the herds, so in August they are pitched within reach of the Mara River rather than several hours south of it. Distance from the river is the single most important thing to check.
Is it very crowded at the crossings?+
At the well-known crossing points in peak season, yes — twenty or thirty vehicles is normal. A good guide works the quieter northern points and gets there before the convoy from the central Serengeti arrives. Staying in the north rather than commuting is most of the answer.
What if my dates do not suit the migration?+
We will tell you, and suggest something better. April and May in particular are a poor migration window. Ruaha, Nyerere or the Ngorongoro Crater deliver far more in those months, and we would rather move you than sell you a disappointing trip.
