Category: Tanzania Wildlife

The Great Migration in Tanzania is the largest overland movement of wild animals on earth. Every year, roughly 1.5 to 2 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, travel in a clockwise circuit across the Serengeti ecosystem, chasing rain and fresh grass. It’s recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and after 14 years of living in Tanzania and organizing safaris around this cycle, I can tell you that the numbers don’t do it justice.

The first time you see a column of wildebeest stretching to the horizon, everything you’ve read about it falls away.

This guide covers the full annual cycle: where the herds are each month, what drives their movement, and how to plan a safari around it. The migration doesn’t have a start date or a finish line. It’s continuous, and understanding that is the first step to planning well.

What Is the Great Migration?

The Great Migration is a continuous, roughly clockwise journey of millions of herbivores across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maa language of the Maasai, often translated as “endless plains.”

The ecosystem spans approximately 30,000 km² of protected land across Tanzania and Kenya, with the vast majority of the migration cycle taking place on the Tanzanian side, within Serengeti National Park, the Ndutu region, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The main north-south trek covers approximately 800 km (500 miles). The full annual circuit is estimated at around 1,000 km, though some sources cite figures as high as 3,000 km when accounting for all daily foraging movements throughout the year. The reality is that these animals never truly stop. They eat, they move, they eat again.

What drives the migration? Rainfall, and the nutritious grasses that follow it. When one area dries out, the herds push forward to greener ground. Some researchers believe wildebeest can detect rain up to 50 km away, possibly reacting to distant lightning and thunderstorms. There’s no scientific proof of this yet, but anyone who’s watched the herds suddenly change direction on a clear afternoon would find it easy to believe.

The key participants:

• ~1.5–1.7 million blue wildebeest: the main herd, and the animal most people associate with the migration.
• ~260,000 zebras: they typically move ahead of the wildebeest, grazing on taller grasses and clearing the way for the shorter-grass feeders behind them.
• ~470,000 gazelles (Thomson’s and Grant’s): they join the movement but don’t follow the full north-south circuit. Their pattern is primarily east-west.
• Eland and other plains game in smaller numbers.
• Predators: the Serengeti hosts over 3,000 lions, approximately 1,000 leopards, 7,700 to 8,700 spotted hyenas, plus cheetahs and Nile crocodiles stationed at the river crossings.

The migration comes with a cost. An estimated 250,000 wildebeest die each year during the journey, from predation, drowning at river crossings, exhaustion, and disease.

That loss is part of the cycle. The nutrients return to the ecosystem, feeding the soil that grows the grass that feeds the next generation. And every calving season, roughly half a million new calves replenish the numbers.

When Is the Great Migration in Tanzania?

The short answer: year-round. The herds are always somewhere in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. There is no “off” period. The real question is which phase of the migration you want to witness.

The two most popular phases are:

• Calving season (December to March): the herds concentrate in the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a few weeks, attracting large numbers of predators.
• River crossings (July to October): the herds face the Grumeti River in the western corridor and then the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. This is the phase with the most dramatic, raw wildlife encounters.

The month-by-month breakdown below covers exactly where the herds are and what you can expect during each period.

The Migration Month by Month

The herds follow the rains, and the rains follow a roughly predictable seasonal pattern. The breakdown below reflects what typically happens, but keep in mind that every year is slightly different. Use this as a planning framework, not a guarantee.

January to March: Calving Season (Southern Serengeti and Ndutu)

The herds are concentrated on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area, at the southeastern edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is where the calving season happens, and it’s one of my favorite periods to be out on a game drive.

• Where: Southern Serengeti plains, Ndutu area, southeastern edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
• Calving peak in February: approximately 500,000 calves are born within a 2 to 3 week window, roughly 3,000 to 5,000 per day. Some sources cite figures as high as 8,000 per day. The exact number varies and likely depends on how concentrated the calving window is in any given year.
• Why here: the short grass gives mothers a clear line of sight to spot predators. Volcanic soils produce mineral-rich grasses that support lactation. It’s a strategic choice driven by hundreds of thousands of years of instinct.
• Predator activity: lions, cheetahs, and hyenas converge in high numbers. The concentration of prey and predator in one accessible area makes for exceptional game viewing.
• Landscape: green and lush after the short rains. This part of the Serengeti is easily accessible.
• Crowd level: moderate.

We organize a specific 6-day safari program around the calving season, covering Tarangire, the Ndutu area, and the Ngorongoro Crater.

April to May: The Long Trek North (Central Serengeti)

As the long rains arrive and the southern plains dry out, the herds gather their young and begin the long trek northwest. Long columns of animals pass through the central Serengeti, threading between the Moru Kopjes and the Seronera area.

• Where: Central Serengeti, Moru Kopjes, Seronera area. Seronera is the small settlement in central Serengeti where the official Visitors’ Center is located, a useful landmark for tracking the herds’ position.
• What’s happening: the herds move in long columns, sometimes stretching for kilometers. This is a transitional period between the calving grounds and the river crossings further north.
• Alternative routes: not all herds follow the same path. While many funnel through the central Serengeti toward the Western Corridor, a significant portion may move through the Loliondo area on the eastern side. I’ve seen years where the herds split into multiple groups heading in different directions.
• Landscape: tall green grass, lush conditions. One of the best periods for photography.
• Crowd level: low. Noticeably fewer vehicles on the tracks, and camp rates tend to be lower too.
• Key consideration: flexibility in your itinerary is especially important during this period. The migration is not the neat, single-path loop that maps suggest.

June to July: Grumeti River Crossings (Western Corridor)

By June, the main body of the migration has reached the Western Corridor of the Serengeti. The first major geographical obstacle of the journey is the Grumeti River.

• Where: Western Corridor, Grumeti River area.
• What’s happening: the herds congregate on the southern bank, building numbers for days before the first animals commit to the water. Nile crocodiles, some of them very large, wait in the shallows.
• Compared to the Mara: the Grumeti crossings are less publicized than the Mara River events further north, but they’re dramatic in their own right. And you’ll share them with far fewer vehicles.
• Timing is fluid: some herds may already be pushing north toward the Serengeti’s northern reaches. A dry spell in the west can accelerate the movement. A late rain can delay it.
• Crowd level: low to moderate.

August to October: Mara River Crossings (Northern Serengeti)

This is the phase most people picture when they think of the Great Migration. The herds reach the northern Serengeti and face the Mara River, with its steep banks, strong streams, and crocodiles patrolling the deeper pools.

• Where: Northern Serengeti, particularly the areas around Kogatende and Lamai.
• What’s happening: the crossings are chaotic, fast, and completely unpredictable. Animals pour down the banks in surges, driven by collective momentum. Some days nothing happens. Other days, thousands cross within hours.
• You don’t need Kenya: a large portion of the herd stays on the Tanzanian side of the Mara River. The northern Serengeti offers excellent viewing without crossing the border.
• Crowd level: high. This is peak tourist season, and the best camps fill up quickly. Booking nearly a year in advance is not unusual for this period.

We organize a 7-day Mara River and Great Migration safari for this period, covering Tarangire, the central and northern Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater.

November to December: The Return South (Eastern Serengeti)

When the short rains begin in late October or November, the herds sense the shift and start heading south. The cycle closes, and the Serengeti enters one of its quietest periods.

• Where: Eastern Serengeti, Lobo area, then through Seronera and down to the southern plains.
• What’s happening: the herds move steadily south, arriving at the short-grass plains by December. They’re getting ready to begin the calving season all over again.
• Crowd level: low. Very few tourists, very few vehicles.
• Why consider it: if you don’t need the spectacle of a river crossing and value space and solitude on your game drives, November is worth a serious look.

Where to See the Migration: Quick Reference

Months	Serengeti Region	What’s Happening	Visitor Traffic
January–March	Southern / Ndutu	Calving season, high predator activity	Moderate
April–May	Central / Seronera / Moru Kopjes	Herds moving north, tall green grass	Low
June–July	Western Corridor / Grumeti River	Grumeti River crossings	Low to moderate
August–October	Northern / Mara River	Mara River crossings (peak drama)	High
November–December	Eastern / Lobo	Return south, quiet game viewing	Low

Wildlife Beyond the Herds

The Serengeti is not a one-event park. Even if the main migration herds are in another region during your visit, the resident wildlife is substantial.

The park hosts roughly 70 large mammal species and over 500 bird species year-round. All of the Big Five are present: elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and black rhino (the Moru Kopjes area is the best-known spot for rhino sightings). Giraffes, hippos, and resident antelope populations are everywhere.

The predator numbers tell the story clearly. The Serengeti supports over 3,000 lions, one of the highest concentrations in Africa. Approximately 1,000 leopards live in the ecosystem, with particularly good sighting opportunities along the Seronera River in the central Serengeti. The spotted hyena population sits between 7,700 and 8,700.

These animals don’t migrate. They hold territories year-round, which means your chances of seeing big cats on a game drive in the Serengeti are high regardless of the season.

If your dates don’t align with a specific migration event, you’ll still have a full safari. Our 9-day Big Five Safari covers the full Northern Circuit and doesn’t depend on migration timing.

Planning Your Migration Safari

A migration safari requires more planning than a standard game drive itinerary. Your timing, your choice of camp, and how many days you spend in the Serengeti all affect what you’ll see. Here’s what I recommend based on years of organizing these trips.

Accommodation: Mobile Camps vs. Permanent Lodges

Your choice of camp determines how close you’ll be to the herds. Mobile tented camps relocate two to four times a year, following the migration’s general path. They put you right where the action is. Permanent lodges offer more comfort and infrastructure but may require longer game drives to reach the migration front lines.

Both have their place. For calving season, the Ndutu area has excellent permanent and semi-permanent camps. For river crossings, a mobile camp near the Mara River gives you the shortest drive to the crossing points.

How Long to Stay

A minimum of 4 to 5 nights in the Serengeti gives you a reasonable chance of seeing the migration in action. If you’re covering multiple regions, say the southern plains for calving and then moving to the central Serengeti, plan for 7 to 10 nights total on safari.

More time means more flexibility. And flexibility, when you’re tracking a natural event driven by weather, is everything.

The Unpredictability Factor

The migration does not run on a calendar. Every timeline you read, including this one, is a general pattern based on what usually happens.

A sudden dry spell can push the herds earlier. An unexpected rain in the north can pull them forward. In November 2013, the wildebeest had already started trekking south when rain fell north of the Mara River, and the herds reversed direction entirely.

The herds also don’t move as one single group. Splinter herds take different routes. Some push through the Western Corridor while others cut through Loliondo on the eastern side.

Your guide’s daily communication with other guides and ranger stations across the park is what gets you to the right place. After 14 years of organizing safaris around this cycle, the one thing I’ve learned is that the travelers who enjoy the migration most are the ones who come with flexible expectations.

What to Pack

The Serengeti sits at altitude, so mornings on early game drives can be genuinely cold, especially June through August. By midday, it’s hot. Layers work best: a warm fleece or light jacket for dawn, lightweight breathable fabrics for the rest of the day.

Stick to neutral colors: khaki, olive, brown. Bright colors attract insects, and dark colors absorb heat.

Bring good binoculars. For photography, a telephoto lens of at least 400mm is useful for river crossings and predator interactions. Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and insect repellent round out the essentials.

How Much Does a Migration Safari Cost?

The cost of a migration safari depends on three things: what time of year you go, what level of accommodation you choose, and how many days you spend.

Peak river crossing season (August to October) commands premium rates across the board, from camp fees to park entries. The calving season (January to March) is moderately priced and delivers equally strong game viewing.

The transitional months, April through June and November, tend to offer lower rates, and the wildlife doesn’t disappear during those windows.

For a detailed breakdown of safari costs, see our safari pricing page.

We organize two safari programs specifically designed around the Great Migration:

• Ndutu and Serengeti Great Migration Safari (6 days, December to March): calving season in the southern Serengeti, with Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Mara River and Great Migration Safari (7 days, July to September): river crossings in the northern Serengeti, with Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions I get asked most often by travelers planning a migration safari.

Is the Great Migration only in Tanzania?

No. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem straddles Tanzania and Kenya, and the herds cross into Kenya’s Masai Mara during part of the cycle. But the wildebeest spend the majority of the year on the Tanzanian side. The entire calving season, the Grumeti River crossings, and a significant portion of the Mara River crossings happen within Tanzania’s borders.

Can I see the migration year-round?

Yes. The migration is a continuous, circular movement. The herds are always somewhere in the ecosystem. What changes month to month is their location and the specific phase: calving, movement, or river crossings. There is no period where the migration “stops.”

What other parks can I combine with a migration safari?

The Northern Circuit offers several parks that pair naturally with the Serengeti. Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. The Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed caldera that supports all Big Five species in a contained area.

Lake Manyara is smaller but good for flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and birdwatching. Many travelers also add a beach extension to the Zanzibar archipelago after their safari. A short domestic flight connects the Serengeti to Zanzibar.

Do I need to go to Kenya to see the river crossings?

No. The Mara River flows through the northern Serengeti inside Tanzania. Many of the most dramatic crossings happen on the Tanzanian side of the border. You can witness the full spectacle without leaving the country.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Serengeti: ecosystem data, migration mortality figures, wildlife population numbers
• Serengeti.com: The Great Migration in Africa: migration cycle overview, calving season details

During your safari in Tanzania we drive you through the African Savannah where trees and grasses are the food for the wild animals. The trees are dispersed and there is not a closed canopy.

The African Baobab Tree – Adansonia digitata

Baobab is one of the most common trees during the safari. This tree is native to the African continent and is also found in Tanzania Savannah. Some believe that this tree was planted upside down because of its appearance. Some African tribes believe that baobabs were upright and too proud. The gods became angry and uprooted them and threw them back into the ground upside-down.

The tree reaches height of 5–25 m (16–82 ft), and its trunk reaches a diameter of 10–14 m (33–46 ft). The roots actually exceed the tree height which help it to survive dry climate. The tree life span is over 1000 years.

Whistling Thorns – Vachellia drepanolobium/Acacia drepanolobium

Acacia drepanolobium is a species of plants in the family Fabaceae. It fixes nitrogen. It is a photoautotroph, is a slender shrub or a tree, with short branches radiating from the main stem. Usually growing 1 – 5 meters tall and occasionally reaching 8 meters.

The common name of the plant comes from the observation that when the wind blows over bulbous spines in which ants have made entry/exit holes, they create a whistling noise. The tree actually encourages these ants by both providing homes and food in special flower-like structures called “extra-floral nectaries”.

Sausage Tree – Kigelia africana

The sausage tree of sub-Saharan Africa is beautiful in flower, the blood-red to maroon flowers hang in long panicles. The fragrance of the flower is not pleasing to humans but attracts the Dwarf Epauletted Fruit bat (Micropteropus pusillus), its pollinator.

This tree can reach a height of as much as 20 meters. The tree grows in the tropical and wet Savannah regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

The large tree is spread sparsely throughout Serengeti. It produces characteristic long (up to 1 m), succulent, poisonous fruits that drop from the tree and release seeds as the pulp rots. There are different uses of this tree fruit including: manufacturing number of skin care products and also making alcoholic beverage etc.

Acacia Tree

Acacia trees are without a doubt the most iconic trees in Africa. You can spot this tree within most of the Savannah area throughout the continent, most acacia usually lives only 20 to 30 years. Their long roots help stabilize the soil in areas threatened by erosion. The sturdy roots reach deep for underground water, which explains why the tree tolerates extreme drought conditions.

Another name for acacia tree is thorn trees. Some have long straight thorns while others have hook-shaped ones. The main reason is that it acts as a deterrent against browsers. Scientists have said that despite the thorns, some herbivores still feed on the trees, the thorn does not prevent feeding, but limits over-grazing. 

Strangler Fig – Ficus thonningii

Strangler fig is one of the most common hemiepiphyte. Is the towering strangler fig tree which starts life as a tiny seed in the canopy named for their pattern of growth upon host trees. This results in the host’s death so that the strangler fig becomes a “columnar tree” with a hollow central core, the tree can grow 6 – 21 meters tall.

Strangler figs are ecologically important in some tropical forests. The hollow centers of strangler figs are full of spaces that provide shelter and breeding sites for bats, birds, and other animals. Perhaps more importantly, many stranglers are considered “keystone species” in that they provide food to a wide variety of animals during times of scarcity.

This tree is native in Africa, specifically Tanzania where is common in kopjes and along rivers in Serengeti. Also the tree is significant to the native people in cultural and medical aspect where they use in treating colds, sore throat, dysentery, wounds, constipation, nosebleed and to stimulate lactation.

Wild Date Palm – Phoenix reclinata

Phoenix reclinata is growing in a range of habitats, often seasonally water-log, such as along watercourses in high rainfall areas, in riverine forest and even in rainforest areas. Phoenix reclinata can reach up to 12 m but is most often between 3 and 6 m. It may be either single or multi-stemmed, sometimes forming a dense, bushy clump.

Flowers and fruits: fruits are up to 1-2.5 cm long, ovoid and reddish-brown to scarlet when ripe. The fruits are edible, though horrible tasting, while the thick, sugary sap is made into palm wine.

Toothbrush Tree – Salvadora persica

Salvadora persica L, also known as Arak (in Arabic) and Peelu (in Urdu), is the most common traditional source of tooth or chewing stick (miswak). To date, extensive studies have probed primarily into the validation of its traditional uses in oral care, is an evergreen shrub, with a short trunk 4–6 m tall, smooth green leaves and white bark.

The fresh leaves are sometimes useful as salad and are also useful in traditional medicine for cough, asthma, scurvy, rheumatism, piles, and other diseases. The plant is native to the Middle East and Africa you can spot them on desert floodplains, riverbanks, and grassy savannah.

Euphorbia Candelabra – Euphorbia candelabrum

This is one the most common tree during the safari, Euphorbia candelabrum is a succulent tree with branches that are persistent from around 3 metres upwards, almost erect, rebranching to form a large, broadly rounded crown. The tree usually grows up to 12 meters tall, though specimens up to 20 meters have been recorded.

It’s one of the more poisonous spurges. The tree releases an abundant amount of milky-white latex which is very bitter and acrid contains diterpenes and is consider as highly toxic due to its skin irritant and carcinogenic.

Umbrella Thorn Acacia – Acacia tortilis

The bark has a rough feel and is grey to black in color. The tree has a combination of one straight thorn with a small hooked thorn alongside. The thorns are thin and grow in pairs. The flowers form in clusters of old wood. The flowers themselves are creamy, white, balls. The pods are a distinctive pale, gold brown color and are curled and twisted. The leaves are very small giving the umbrella a soft, feathery appearance.

In extremely arid conditions, it may occur as a small, wiry bush. It grows up to 21 m (69 ft) in height. The tree carries leaves that grow approximately. 2.5 cm (1 in) in length with between 4 and 10 pairs of pinnae, each with up to 15 pairs of leaflets. Flowers are small and white, highly aromatic, and occur in tight clusters. Seeds are produced in pods which are flat and coiled into a springlike structure.

Yellow Fever Tree – Acacia xanthophloea

The yellow fever Tree is a low elevation medium to tall tree growing along or in water. The beauty of this tree comes from the clusters of 10 yellow ball flowers. Pieces of the magnificent, smooth, greenish-yellow bark flake off as the tree matures, giving an interesting, colorful pattern to the trunk. Leaflets are 2.5–6.5 mm × 0.75–1.75 mm. Petiolar glands are usually present at the base of the upper pinnae pairs. Spines are white, straight and strong and arranged in pairs.

The common name comes from the misunderstanding of early settlers who thought the tree was the carrier of the malaria fever. Because the tree grew in swamp areas conducive to malaria mosquitos, people associated the fever with the tree.

Contact our office to book your safari in Tanzania: info@savannahexplorers.com – WhatsApp +255765972458

When it comes to Africa trip, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania seems to be the perfect destination to encounter different types of antelopes. In fact, the Serengeti National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania. It covers about 14,763 squared kilometers and its endless plains in the northern part is stretching to Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya while in the southern part is adjoining Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is mostly famous for its huge herds of plains animals especially wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, antelopes and other many animals, it is the only place in Africa where land animal migrations are still taking place. Since 1981 Serengeti is part of UNESCO World Heritage, the park is home to more than 500 species of birds and 300 species of mammals including 16 different types of antelopes that I describe here below.

Types of Antelopes in Serengeti

During your game drives in Serengeti National Park you will easily spot different antelopes species, the following list will help you to recognize each species and remember the main characteristics. Let’s start our list…

Wildebeest

Also known as the gnu, is among the largest type of antelopes. You can’t exclude this animal when talking about the Great Migration in Serengeti. About 2 million wildebeests migrate from Sourthern Serengeti to Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya and come back to Tanzania through the southern part of Serengeti especially at Ndutu area, this is a continuous process in a cyclic manner year after year grabbing the attention of visitors. Below are few characteristics of this animal

• It is a large antelope measuring between 45 and 55 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 300 and 600 pounds.
• The different subspecies of the wildebeest vary in color, ranging from slate gray to dark brown, with males darker than females.
• They are highly adorable hunt for the predators like spotted hyena and lion.
• Wildebeests measure between 5 and 8 feet in length and have a tail length of 14 to 22 inches.
• Wildebeests have a long, rectangular shaped head.

Eland

This is one of the African savanna’s most enduring animal inhabitants. The animal is remarkable for its striking coat and impressive, ox-like build. The eland is also the largest type of antelopes. The males reach a shoulder height of 1.5 meters and a weight up to a ton. The females are slightly smaller and lighter than the males.

Lesser Kudu

This is another interesting kind of antelopes mostly found in warm climates areas. During safari, this antelope is bit difficult to encounter since they are not many, you can spot it in the Southwestern Serengeti. Lesser kudu is lighter in weight and has a shorter stature at 92-108 kg and 100 cm respectively. On the other hand, the lesser kudus does not depend much on the water for their survival, rather they get water requirements from the parts of fresh wild fruits and only take water if available.

Reedbuck

Its habitat is the grasslands and marshes of Serengeti, you can identify this antelope looking at the round glandular spot below each ear. They graze at night and are looking for shelter during the day time. Females give birth to a single calf after the gestation period of almost 7.5 months. Males have curved horns that point forward. Also this kind of antelope has no fixed breeding season.

East African Oryx

Hopefully you should be lucky to meet this antelope during your game drives in Serengeti although they are few remaining. This animal is territorial and uses its speed as a defensive mechanism from predators. The interesting characteristic of this animal is being able to detect rainfall 50 miles or more away.

Grant’s Gazelle

Its scientific name is Gazella Granti, sometimes it is easy to confuse this animal type from Thomson’s Gazelle, the different is that, Thomson’s Gazelle are in smaller size and has the white patch on its rump while Grant’s gazelles are bigger and has the patch always extends above the tail. Always grant’s gazelles color and size of the horn are varied.

Thomson’s Gazelle

Named after the researcher Joseph Thomson, they have light brown coats with dark stripes down their sides, you can distinguish a Thomson’s Gazelle from a Grant’s Gazelle by its smaller size and the white patch on its rump. The males have longer horns than the females and they used to migrate toward the better available sources of food and water during the dry season. They also have strong senses of hearing, sight and smell balance.

Waterbuck

They have large rounded ears and white patches above the eyes and around the nose. You identify them by their white circular drawing on the rump, which also gave these animals their name. Also their coat has a water repellent oil layer that protects them from moisture. Last but not least, these animals mostly like to stay close to the water.

Hartebeest

During your safari in Serengeti, you mostly meet this kind of antelopes in medium and tall grasslands, including savannas. Regarding the diet, it is not selective since it is tolerant even to poor food quality. Gestation period for this animal takes almost 8 months. Cheetahs,  lions, hyenas and leopards can hunt the hartebeest. This antelope can give birth every year although most of the time breeding peaks depend on food availability.

Klipspringer

Klipspringer is a small antelope weighing between 8 and 18 kg with females weighing slightly more than males. It has a short neck, body and large hindquarters which help it jump from rock to rock easily and is mostly found in the Rocky Mountains. The color of this animal can vary from grizzled tan, gray and brown depending on location. You can easily identify a klipspringer looking at its ears that are rounded and large and also their tails are small and rudimentary.

Bushbuck

This is the forest edge antelope. You find it in the rainforests, bush savannas and other related areas. It is a solitary animal with the ability to jump 6 foot high fences. This animal moves slowly and quietly when feeding and carefully selecting its food. Interesting fact for this kind of antelope is that it can freeze or lay to the ground when attacked. The difference between males and females from this family is that, male possess horns while females don’t.

Impala

You can easily distinguished from other antelopes by having the black spots on the feet and an elongated white spot above the eyes. During your visit in Serengeti, you don’t need to use more effort to distinguish male and female from this family, since males have horns while the females don’t. When it comes to drink water, they drink during the hottest time of the day to stay safe from their predators since predators used to rest during the hottest time.

Oribi

It is a type of antelopes that avoids staying in areas dominated by shrubs, bushes and trees and areas of higher density. You identify it by looking its long neck, spiky horns that are slightly curved and slender ears. It prefers eating short grass, mainly due to their size and stature. Females used to reach their sexual maturity in almost 10 months and males take up to 14 months. Amazing characteristic of this antelope is that it can run up to 25 to 31 miles per hour.

Steenbok

It’s also known as the Dwarf antelope due to its small size, the main feature of this antelope type is the black spot or scent gland located below each ear, thus the big factor making it easily identifiable. Females are a little larger compared to males. Furthermore, the Steenbok is mostly loved since it is a cute and small antelope. They love more young leaves, as well as shoot tips from plants, flowers and fruits.

Dik-Dik

The name comes from the unusual alarm call that the females commonly make, which sounds like a wheezing and whistling “zik-zik” or “dik-dik”. These antelopes were called “dik-diks” by the early settlers and hunters as they ruined the hunter’s chances of shooting any larger game. Dik dik are territorial and use dung, urine and scent to mark the boundaries. The curious behavior of this animals is that, when attacked they run in a zigzag way to confuse their enemies, although in the meantime due to small size they are easily targeted by cheetahs, leopards and other predators.

Topi

They are always medium sized with a striking reddish brown to purplish red coat. Their favorite habitat is flood plains although sometimes they are found in dry areas. If they access green pasture they used to stay for a long time without taking water. The gregarious topis spend much of their life with other antelopes such as wildebeest. Topis are most active in the morning and evening, then resting in shade during the hot hours.

Gerenuk

This animal is easily identified by having a long neck and leg as its main characteristics. Also the other feature of this animal is that, only the males have horns but females don’t. It has light brown or tawny colored fur and is mostly living in areas with very few trees and sometimes in desert regions. It is one of the most exclusive browsers and always prefers succulent plants. Gerenuk is considered as a very humble animal due to the way they used to help each other.

7 days/6 nights for Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

The best safari itineraries to spot different types of antelopes in Serengeti, Tanzania. For the below itineraries suggested, you visit even some other parks although in Serengeti you stay many days since is the main targeted destination for this trip.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Program: Pick up customers at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to Karatu.

Activities: If you have time you can stop in the local markets on the way, otherwise you can relax at the lodge.

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

FROM DAY 2 TO DAY 5: SERENGETI PARK

Program: After breakfast we leave Karatu village and enter Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We proceed crossing Ngorongoro Highlands until Serengeti gate, here we start the game drive for these 4 days.

Activities: game drive.

Serengeti Park is the most famous park of all Africa, more than 15,000 squared kilometers of savannah full of lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants and many other wild animals.

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

DAY 6: NGORONGORO CRATER

Program: After breakfast we drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, today we descend into Ngorongoro crater for game drive with pic-nic lunch.

Activities: game drive.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see while on safari in Tanzania for its high density of wild animals. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a conservation project where the Maasai and their livestock live together with wild animals.

Accommodation: Dinner and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE

Program: After breakfast relax at the lodge or shopping if you have time, then transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport.

Contact our office to book your safari in Tanzania: info@savannahexplorers.com – WhatsApp +255765972458

The Northern Circuit is well known for its famous national parks in Tanzania. These include Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you can visit all the parks during a 7-8 days safari. Other protected areas in the northern circuit are such as Lake Eyasi and Lake Natron, where we meet with Hadzabe, Datoga and Maasai tribes. The distances between the parks allow you to visit all the parks without spending any full-day transfer, the areas between the parks are either protected areas where you can see animals or visit local villages. In the northern circuit, you can also experience Kilimanjaro trekking expeditions.

The most exceptional attractions that can be found in each protected area are as follows:

• Serengeti National Park – The park is famous for its endless plains and The Great Migration of wildebeest, zebras and other antelope between Serengeti and Masai Mara Ecosystem.
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Ngorongoro is famous for its crater that holds thousands of animals with the possibility to spot all the “Big Five animals” in one place.
• Lake Manyara National Park – The park is famous due to its location which is near the great rift valley escarpment, tree-climbing lions, a large flock of flamingos and it also boasts an underground water forest.
• Tarangire National Park – The park is famous for its large number of elephants and the vast number of Baobab trees.
• Arusha National Park – The park is famous for Mount Meru trekking, white and black colobus monkeys, a large flock of flamingos and the Ngurdoto crater that holds various animals and species.
• Lake Eyasi – This area is famous for its cultural value. The presence of the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes made it unique for the tourist who wishes to learn about the traditions and customs of people living in Tanzania.
• Lake Natron – The reserve is famous for the largest breeding ground of Lesser Flamingos and the Oldonyo Lengai mountain. Also, it is home to the Maasai and Sonjo tribes.

Following the above attractions and resources have made the northern circuit one of the top tourist destinations in Tanzania. However, there are also options for beach relaxations in Zanzibar.

Map of Northern Parks of Tanzania

Departing for Tanzania? Ready to explore the parks? Here are the maps you can use during your safari.

In this map you can follow all your safari in North of Tanzania, starting from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha, to the parks and the endless plains of the Serengeti. The transfer time from one place to another is extremely short (2-3 hours max) and makes the park extremely accessible to everybody. Arusha is well known as “safari capital” and it’s the starting point for all the safaris in Tanzania, driving on a good tamac road you can drive to Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the roads to Serengeti National Park, lake Natron and lake Eyasi are rough roads where you will experience a bit of “bumping road”.

All The Tanzania National Parks Maps

• Northern Circuit National Parks  – this map includes all the parks
• Arusha National Park – you can experience nice walking safari
• Tarangire National Park – you can see teh biggest elephants
• Manyara National Park – the home of biodiversity
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area – the highest wildlife density all over Africa
• Serengeti National Park – the endless plain

Safari in Tanzania

Tanzania is well know as the best destionation for safari in Tanzania, Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti park are UNESCO Worl Heritage sites, Kilimanjaro Moutain is the roof of Africa and Zanzibar is the “spice island”. Experienced guides can drive you on comfortable 4×4 jeeps in the national park for wildlife spotting and exciting game drives. During safari you can also experience natural walks, balloon safari, local village visits, canoeing, horse riding and biking.

Here is some suggestions for your safari in Tanzania:

• Big Five safari
• Great Summer Migration Safari
• Great Winter Migration Safari
• Serengeti and Ngorongoro – 5 days safari
• Ngorongoro Crater Safari – 5 days

We can customize and tailor made your safari in Tanzania, contact us at

• info@savannahexplorers.com
• Whatsapp +255 765 972 458

Lake Manyara National Park is an amazing sanctuary in the Great Rift Valley. The park is famous for its biodiversity with many primates, birds and tree lions. There are lovely places to visit such as the hippo pool and the hot springs where there are many water birds. The most exceptional resources of the park are the groundwater forest and the tree-climbing lions.

The 5 different eco-systems inside the inside the park:

• the dense groundwater forest
• the xerophilous open woodland (palm trees, acacias and a few baobabs)
• the swamps
• the savannah
• the hot springs

Location: Northern Tanzania, 120 km from Arusha up to the main gate of the park on a good tarmac road with approximately 2 hours drive. In addition, you can visit the park from the small town called Karatu where driving time takes approximately 30 minutes up to the main gate.

Size: 330 square km whereby 200 square km is covered by the lake when it is in flood.

There are only two accommodations inside the park which are Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp and &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.

Lake Manyara Seasons: There are two well-defined seasons, which are dry and wet. The dry season starts from late May to October/November and the wet season starts from October/November to May with less rain in February – March.

Activities: You will have a chance to experience day and night game drives in well-organized road networks, canoeing on Lake Manyara and Treetop walkway. Also outside the park in Mto wa Mbu village, there are so many activities that you can participate such as a biking tour up to the lakeshore, hiking the Great Rift Valley wall and cultural tourism with well-prepared local foods.

Manyara Park Map in Dry Season

The climate in Lake Manyara National Park is mild and temperate, the altitude ranges from 950 to 1400m and it gets cooler the higher you go. Manyara’s Dry season is from June to October, in the afternoon temperatures are usually 26-28°C, clear skies and sunshine are common. In the evening the average temperatures are around 14-16°C. During early morning game drives it’s a bit cold, so make sure you have warm clothes with you.

Starting from July all migratory animals should have come back into the park adding up to resident game and the park should host a high percentage of giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, elephants, hippos, buffalos herds, and primates. The number of predators should have increased as well despite sightings here are less easy than in Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Bird watching remains a very strong attractions for this park.

Manyara Park Map in Wet Season

November to May is the wet season in Lake Manyara National Park, temperatures remain mild peaking in the afternoon around 28-30°C, night time temperatures are around 17-20°C.This wet seasons consist of a period of ‘long rains’ from March to May, and a period of ‘short rains’ in November. Thunder and showers are common in late afternoon or during night, but it rarely rains the whole day. Elephants, big mammals and predators can be spotted in these months, it’s the best period for bird watching, more than 400 species have been recorded in the park. You can observe 100 different bird species in one day including flamingo and other large waterbirds like pelican, cormorant and stork. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

All The Tanzania National Parks Maps

• • Northern Circuit National Parks  – this map includes all the parks
  • Arusha National Park – you can experience nice walking safari
  • Tarangire National Park – you can see teh biggest elephants
  • Manyara National Park – the home of biodiversity
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area – the highest wildlife density all over Africa
  • Serengeti National Park – the endless plain

Safari in Lake Manyara National Park

During a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park you can see 5 different eco-systems, spot big mammals and a lot of bird species. Night game is allowed inside the park with a special vehicle, you can also visit Mto wa Mbu village and the local market with a local guide.

Several safaris include a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, a park full of wildlife that you can meet in different ecosystems. You will not fail to spot the noisy baboons and the typical herbivores of the savannah, with a bit of luck we will be able to see lions or other predators such as the leopard. I propose 2 programs that include a visit to the Lake Manyara park:

• Luxury Safari Adventure
• Big Five Safari

You can contact us for your safari in Tanzania:

• info@savannahexplorers.com
• Whatsapp +255 765 972 458

The Serengeti is the most famous and important park in all of Africa with a unique savannah ecosystem. Over 15,000 sq km of savannah full of flora and fauna including lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, migratory animal, more than 500 species of birds and many other attractions. At least 2 nights must be dedicated to this park, without forgetting the sunrise Balloon safari. You can find many residential animals in the Central area of the Serengeti (Seronera area), you will go to the areas of Ndutu, Western Corridor, Lobo, Bologonya, and Mara to see the Great Migration. Our safari experts can advise you regarding the best itinerary to see The Great Migration between Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Mara Ecosystem, a must-see exceptional attraction worldwide.

Size: 14.763 kmq.

Location: 255 km from Arusha town to  Naabi Hill (Entrance gate to Serengeti) and the first 150 km are tarmac and the last 105 km dirt road. Driving time is 5 to 6 hours. From Naabi Hili to Seronera there are other 60 km of dirt road and driving time is 1 hour or so.

Park Seasons: There are two well-defined seasons in Serengeti which is dry and wet seasons. The dry seasons starts from from June to October and wet seasons from November/December to May with less or no rainy on January – February.

Expected Activities: You will have a chance to experience game drives in a well organized road network, or a Sunrise Balloon Safari, A short nature trail at Naabi Hill and Visitors Information Center at Seronera, the best of its kind in Tanzania, lastly is guided nature work through the savannah.

When you are in Arusha and you need to have a safari, usually at first you will visit Arusha, Tarangire and Manyara National Parks, then enter the immense ecosystem that includes Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Parks, an extremely popular park receiving large number of visitors in a year.

Below are the maps of the Serengeti during dry and wet seasons, the lower part of the map shows the movements of the Great Migration month by month.

Usually, the entrance to the park is from Naabi gate where we can go up to the panoramic point to see this boundless plain above, we find many residential animals in the Central area of the Serengeti and Seronera, we will go to the areas of Ndutu, Western Corridor, Lobo, Bologonya, and Mara to see the Great Migration.

The park is characterized by the Kopjes, known as Simba Kopje, Masai Kopje, and Moru Kopje, small granite hills in this immense plain where many animals, small and large, find shelter. Also there are open grassy plains, Big herds of migratory plain animas and some of endemic bird species.

The park is dominated by lush vegetation in April and May everything changes thanks to the rains, it is a great time to visit the park, with no dust, and many animals and there are special offers for the low season.

For more information on Serengeti Park, you can read “Serengeti National Park“.

Here are the maps to take with you to orient yourself during the safari in the Serengeti. This map is on sale in Arusha in bookstores and at street vendors.

THE MAP OF SERENGETI DURING WET SEASON

The wet season runs from November to May in this period we record the “short” rains in November and the rainy season in April and May with excellent low season offers.

The months of January and February are the best months for the Great Migration in the Ndutu area between Serengeti and Ngorongoro, February is the calving season for the wildebeest.

Central Serengeti is always full of residential animals. Daytime temperatures reach 28-30 ° C while lows rarely drop below 18 ° C. The rains are short-lived and rarely interfere with the game drive when accompanied by a professional guide aboard a 4×4 jeep.

THE MAP OF SERENGETI DURING DRY SEASON

The dry season runs from June to October and is a great time for safari in Central Serengeti and Northern Serengeti, herds of wildebeest and zebras move north from the Western Serengeti (Western Corridor) crossing the Grumeti and Mara rivers in search of new pastures towards the wettest area of the park.

Daytime temperatures reach up to 27-28 ° C in September and October, the minimum can drop to 15 ° C, the months of June and July are the coolest of the year. It is always better to have a fleece or heavy sweater and a jacket for cooler evenings and game drives at dawn.

ALL THE TANZANIA NATIONAL PARKS MAPS

• • Northern Circuit National Parks  – this map includes all the parks
  • Arusha National Park – you can experience nice walking safari
  • Tarangire National Park – you can see teh biggest elephants
  • Manyara National Park – the home of biodiversity
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area – the highest wildlife density all over Africa
  • Serengeti National Park – the endless plain

SAFARI IN SERENGETI

The Serengeti is the most beautiful park in all of Africa, for an unforgettable safari, it is best to rely on a local expert who knows where to take you according to the period. Our best-selling Serengeti safaris are:

• 4 nights safari
• 8 nights safari
• Great Summer Migration Safari
• Great Winter Migration Safari

If you want to see many animals and see the Great Migration you can choose one of our safaris by contacting us through our website or by email or Whatsapp

• info@savannahexplorers.com
• Whatsapp +255 765 972 458