The Serengeti Explained – Following the Great Migration

Where Are You, Wildebeest and Zebras? When the earth shakes and the water splashes…

The Serengeti – endless horizons, dust glowing in the sun, and the thunder of hooves making the ground vibrate. This is where Africa’s most spectacular natural event unfolds: the Great Migration. Millions of wildebeest and zebras follow the rains and fresh grass, crossing savannas and rivers, side by side – a drama of movement, survival, and raw power. Yet the Serengeti is more than these herds: it is a place full of stories, landscapes, and encounters that touch the soul.

What the Great Migration Means

Over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, move every year between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. They follow the rains – and the promise of fresh grass. Along the way, they cross crocodile-infested rivers, wander through dusty plains, and form animal trains stretching up to 40 kilometers. Zebras graze on the taller grass, while wildebeest prefer the shorter blades – a perfectly synchronized partnership. This most spectacular natural event in Africa is unique, incomparable – and gives the Serengeti its timeless magic.

The Rhythm of Nature: When and Where to See the Great Migration

From January to March, the massive herds gather in the southern Serengeti, around Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, thousands of calves are born within just a few weeks. In April and May, the herds slowly move westward, where new grass grows. By June, they reach the Western Corridor and face the first river crossings at the Grumeti – a dangerous adventure. In July and August, the herds move north, reaching the Kenyan border. Here, the legendary river crossings at the Mara River take place. Between September and October, the herds remain in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara before returning south in November. By late December, they once again reach the wide plains of the south – the cycle begins anew.

Best Time to Visit the Serengeti

The Serengeti is worth visiting all year round. Travelers who want to witness the calving season should come between January and March. For the dramatic river crossings, July to October is the best time. During the transition months – May or November – there are fewer visitors, but the wildlife remains just as fascinating.

A personal moment:

“We visited the Serengeti in mid-October – and it was a dream. The great herds were just returning from the Maasai Mara to Tanzania. Although we didn’t witness a river crossing, the scenes were no less impressive: endless lines of wildebeest and zebras, lion families with cubs passing right by our jeep, and a pair of giraffes with their long necks close together – it looked like friendship, maybe even love. This interplay of animals and landscape made our journey unforgettable – in the ever-changing light, with sunrises and sunsets turning the Serengeti’s dust into a glowing, magical scene.”

Pure Safari – Experiences & Wildlife

Safari experiences:

• Game drives in an open safari vehicle

• Hot air balloon ride at sunrise

• Walking safari with a guide

• Visit to a Maasai village

Wildlife:

The famous Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and (rarely) rhino – live here alongside giraffes, hippos, hyenas, baboons, and over 550 bird species. Highlights include the hippos at Retima Pool and lions resting on the kopjes.

Kopjes explained:

These striking granite outcrops rise like islands from the plains and are typical of the central Serengeti. They provide lions with shade, vantage points, and resting places.

Protecting the Serengeti – From Grzimek to Today

German zoologist Bernhard Grzimek dedicated himself tirelessly to protecting the Serengeti in the 1950s. Together with his son Michael, he studied the great animal migrations from the air – pioneering work that first revealed the true importance of this ecosystem.

When Michael was killed in a plane crash over the Serengeti in 1959, Bernhard continued the project alone. His film “Serengeti Shall Not Die” won an Academy Award in 1960 and made the region world famous.

A message was born that still applies today: The Serengeti shall not die. Today, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) continues this mission with conservation programs, antipoaching patrols, and sustainable tourism.

Maasai Culture & Sustainable Safari Tourism

The Maasai have lived alongside the wilderness for centuries. Their culture, cattle herding, and traditions shape the region. Today, many Maasai work as guides or hosts in safari camps and lodges.

Through sustainable tourism – with clear rules, education projects, and local involvement – every journey contributes to the future of the Serengeti.

Did You Know? Serengeti as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Serengeti has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. Its protected status secures not only the Great Migration but also the unique interplay of landscape, culture, and wildlife.

Getting Oriented – The Serengeti at a Glance

The Serengeti is vast – almost the size of Switzerland. To understand the herds, it helps to know the regions:

• South (Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area): Calving season from January to March.

• West (Grumeti): Famous river crossings from June.

• North (Mara River): Dramatic scenes in July/August and September/October.

• Central (Seronera): Year-round game viewing, especially lions on the kopjes.

Practical Tips – Getting There & Where to Stay

The Serengeti is best reached from Arusha or via Kilimanjaro International Airport. Many safaris combine it with Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, or Lake Manyara National Park.

Accommodation options are plentiful:

• Mobile camps that follow the herds.

• Tented camps for authentic wilderness experiences.

• Safari lodges with comfort up to luxury, often overlooking the endless plains.

Conclusion

The Serengeti is not a place for a quick day trip – it requires time. Those who stay for several days encounter not only giraffes, elephants, and lions but may also see the herds right at camp. Unforgettable: the snorting and trampling of animals at night, heard from your tent.

The Serengeti is not a place – it is a feeling.

And yet, it is part of something bigger: Africa – a continent of magic, adventure, and unforgettable moments. From endless savannas to star-filled skies that touch the soul – once you’ve been there, you will always long to return.

👉 Plan your Serengeti safari now – discover our offers in Serengeti National Park and experience the Great Migration live.