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Travel

by Lightfoot

Tanzania

Unpacking Tanzania's
Great Migration

Written by Nico Heath

Nico shares his top tips for visiting Tanzania in the low-season to witness the Great Migration

In this article Nico shares his top tips for witnessing Tanzania's Great Migration. Travel during the low season for fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, and untamed wildlife spectacles.

Nico, Lightfoot's Africa destination specialist and safari expert, has spent years navigating the wilds of Africa and channels his deep knowledge into curating bespoke adventures for those who seek extraordinary adventures. As well as recommending guests of Lightfoot to visit one of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations during the low season, Nico also shares his favourite national parks in Tanzania for those willing to explore beyond the usual tourist routes.

The Great Migration, A Year-Round Marvel

The Great Migration is often imagined as herds of wildebeest thundering across rivers, pursued by crocodiles and predators – a scene most commonly associated with Tanzania’s Grumeti River crossings in peak season (June-August). Yet this iconic event is far more than a fleeting summer spectacle; it is a year-round phenomenon, with the herds continually traversing the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing.

During the off-season, from November to April, Tanzania becomes an oasis of clear skies, atmospheric rains, and awe-inspiring vistas. Gone are the bumper-to-bumper safari vehicles you will see during the peak months. Instead, you will be rewarded with space, solitude, and unique photographic opportunities. The rains wash the air clean, delivering vibrant colors and crystal-clear visibility perfect for capturing nature in its purest form.

In January and February, the herds gather in the southern Serengeti for the calving season. This is the Serengeti at its most raw and powerful. Over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born during these months, with newborn antelopes and zebras providing a feast for opportunistic predators. The stark contrast of new life and the ever-present danger of a stalking lion, cheetah or leopard creates a heart-pounding, unforgettable experience – brutal, beautiful, and undeniably real.

This is the Serengeti at its most raw and powerful

Nico recommends heading to the Northern Serengeti, specifically the Lamai Wedge

Where to Escape the Crowds

For those who wish to travel to Tanzania in the peak months, Nico recommends heading to the Northern Serengeti, specifically the Lamai Wedge - a small slither of land between the Mara River and the Maasai Mara. Accessible only to a handful of camps due to the seasonally flooded bridge, this secluded and remote corner of the Serengeti ensures a more intimate experience of the Great Migration, far removed from mass tourism where only a handful of responsible tourism companies are allowed to operate.

Nico’s favorite lodges in the Serengeti include Alex Walker’s Serengeti Lamai, Mara River Tented Camp, and Usawa Serengeti. Located in the breathtaking Northern Serengeti near the Lamai Wedge these properties combine exceptional luxury with intimate access to one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth. Guests can expect front-row seats to the drama of the Great Migration, all while enjoying the solitude and exclusivity that this remote region offers.

Off the Beaten Track, Discover Southern Tanzania

While the Serengeti may steal the limelight, Nico’s ultimate tip for a Tanzanian safari is to leave the well-trodden northern circuit behind and venture to Southern Tanzania, specifically the Ruaha National Park. Covering over 13,000 square kilometers, Ruaha is Tanzania’s second-largest park, yet it remains blissfully untouched and under-visited.

Why Visit Ruaha?

Ruaha is a vast wilderness, home to enormous herds of elephants and buffalo, predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and hunting dogs, as well as rare species like the greater kudu, which cannot be found anywhere else in Tanzania. Here, you can witness sand rivers carving through arid plains, encounter crocodiles lurking in the mighty Ruaha River, and explore dense woodlands teeming with life.

What makes Ruaha truly magical is its scale and solitude. It is 50% larger than the Serengeti, yet receives just a fraction of the visitors. The sense of remoteness allows travelers to feel Africa on a visceral level, where nature dominates and time slows down. It is a place where the sounds of lions roaring in the distance and the rustling of elephants in the bush will linger in your memory long after you return home. A southern safari in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park delivers an experience that is both unspoiled and deeply authentic.

For those who seek adventure beyond the ordinary, the low season in Tanzania offers an unfiltered, exclusive, and deeply moving safari experience. Whether you follow the rhythms of the Great Migration or venture into the wilds of southern Tanzania and the Ruaha National Park, you’ll return with stories of Africa that few others can tell.