The Great Migration - all you need to know!

The Great Migration has to be one of nature's biggest spectacles on Earth and a true bucket list experience!

Over one million wildebeest and zebra migrate from Tanzania's Southern Serengeti to Kenya's Maasai Mara. It's a cyclical event that takes place all year.

It's unclear how the wildebeest know where to go, but it is generally believed that they move with the cycle of the weather. They follow the rains and new growth of new grass.

To have the highest chances of witnessing the Great Migration you have to try and plan your safari at the best time of year and to the best location. Unfortunately, this is becoming more unpredictable each year.

It's so important to remember that there is NO guarantee that you will see it. Even with the best planning in the world there is an element of risk.

Speak to your safari company as they will be able to advise the best locations for your best chances to see the Great Migration and most companies will offer 'Great Migration packages'.

What you need to know:

• The Great Migration is a cyclical event and is the largest movement of mammals on the planet! Only the strongest animals will survive!

• Over one million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra migrate!

• Wildebeests will cover around 500 miles (800kms)!

• The Great Migration predominantly takes place in Tanzania, but moves into Kenya for a couple of months of the year.

• The 'best' months to view the Great Migration in Tanzania are generally considered to be June - early August.

• Safari companies have a 'rough idea' of where the Great Migration herds will be moving to and from during certain months of the year

• Its important to remember that if you are visiting during high season when the Great Migration takes place you will be paying much more and there will be huge crowds! Don't expect to be watching the Great Migration on your own, unless you are opting to pay for a very exclusive experience!

A 'rough' month-by-month breakdown of the Great Migration

January - March

The migration herds begin to gather in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Southern Serengeti. It's also the wildebeest calving season during January and February where thousands of babies are born everyday! As a result, there is also a huge build up of predators in the area. It's a wonderful (and cheaper) alternative to the summer months to still get a taste of the Great Migration! We visited during this season and saw hundreds of wildebeest and zebra! It was magical!

April - May

With all the newborns, this is a time when the herd size is particularly big! May is a major moving month, the herds begin to move towards the central Serengeti, getting ready for the big push north towards Lobo and to the western corridor.

The huge advantage of travelling to see the Great Migration in May is that there are so few tourists, but there is a big risk of rain!

Mating season also begins at the end of May.

June - early August

These are exceptional migration months! During June, the group usually splits in two, some moving north and some moving to the western corridor, heading to the Grumeti River Crossing.

The herds are still pushing north and in July and August the herds begin crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River into Kenya. This is where so many of those 'iconic' Great Migration photographs and footage is taken!

Be prepared for high prices and crowds!

Mid August - October

This is generally not considered a great time in Tanzania to view the Great Migration as the herds cross the Mara river into Kenya's Maasai Mara. That said, there are some exceptional, more remote and exclusive camps that can offer fantastic viewings!

November - December

This can be a tricky time of year to predict the herd movements as the herds push south. When the rains begin to ease, the herds begin to move down from Kenya and into the eastern and southern regions of the Serengeti. The rainy season has provided lush green pastures, so the calving season can begin once again!