Seeing the wildebeest migration in East Africa is one of the most spectacular wildlife sightings in the world. Almost two million animals roam the plains of East Africa, but it can be surprisingly hard to find them in the vast area that they cover as their movement is governed by the rains and predicting their location can be a gamble.
We designed the itinerary to include all areas frequented by the migration on their annual route — this virtually guarantees that you will see them.
Dec–May: Serengeti South · Jun: Central Serengeti · Jul–Aug: Western Corridor · Aug–Nov: Masai Mara
Arrival in Nairobi. You will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night. Rest and prepare for the journey ahead.
Explore Nairobi National Park on an early morning game drive, then visit the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage. Travel to Amboseli National Park — famous for its large herds of elephant and impressive views of Mt Kilimanjaro.
→ Nairobi National Park game drive
→ Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
→ Full-day Amboseli game drive
→ Mt Kilimanjaro views
Travel to the border and onwards to Arusha. En-route stop at the Marangu Waterfalls on Kilimanjaro along the way — a spectacular introduction to Tanzania.
Full-day game drives in Tarangire National Park — the centre of an annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3,000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra. Ancient baobab trees dot the landscape.
Full-day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, known for its large flock of flamingo and the elusive tree-climbing lions — a behaviour seen in very few places in Africa.
A day of cultural diversity — village tour of Mto-wa-Mbu, walking tour to Lake Papyrus, and in the late afternoon visit the Maasai Boma for an authentic cultural experience.
Early departure for a game drive in the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, then head off to the Serengeti through the endless plains in the southern part. Two full days exploring the most important migration route on Earth.
→ Ngorongoro Crater game drive
→ Serengeti endless plains
→ Wildebeest migration tracking
→ Predator sightings
Travel to Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Along the way pass through the villages of the Sukuma Tribe who live a traditional life that hasn't changed much over the years.
After breakfast, a boat excursion to a local fishing village (weather permitting). Then arrive in the Masai Mara — the world-famous reserve where the migration crosses the Mara River. A full day of game viewing in one of Africa's finest wildlife areas.
Depart the Mara for Nairobi. Visit the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. Overnight at The Boma Hotel. Day 15: Transfer to the airport after breakfast. Tour ends.
Start & end in Nairobi
| 3 Jan | 24 Jan |
| 14 Feb | 15 Mar |
| 2 May | 30 May |
| 20 Jun | 5 Jul ★ |
| 26 Jul | 16 Aug ★ |
| 6 Sep ★ | 27 Sep |
| 18 Oct | 8 Nov |
| 29 Nov | 20 Dec |
Start & end in Nairobi
| 11 Jan | 1 Feb |
| 22 Feb | 23 Mar |
| 10 May | 7 Jun |
| 28 Jun | 13 Jul ★ |
| 3 Aug | 24 Aug ★ |
| 14 Sep ★ | 5 Oct |
| 26 Oct | 16 Nov |
| 7 Dec | 28 Dec |
★ Peak migration season — highest chance of river crossings
Experience the legendary Wildebeest Migration where over a million of these creatures follow the rainfall patterns to feed, mate and breed over a distance of 2,896 km. The route follows areas they are known to pass by on their annual route — virtually guaranteeing that you will find them.
Make the most out of your journey to East Africa and take the opportunity to have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Gorillas in their natural habitat on our Uganda Gorilla Adventure.