The great wildebeest’s migration is one of the most eminent wildlife phenomena on earth, this exclusive natural wonder involves over 1 million wildebeests, thousands of zebras, hundreds of gazelles and other antelopes moving from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to Masai mara game reserve in Kenya searching for water and greener pastures.
Tips for choosing migration safari accomodation.
The migration is a continuous circular pattern taking place annually. Most tourists visiting Serengeti National Park or Masai Mara Game Reserve aim at watching the migration herds for an authentic safari experience, although you need to plan for your safari in advance because there is a lot to consider if you want to have a successful trip.
Location of migration herds
The first thing you must know before booking your wildebeests migration safari accomodation is the location of the herds during your travel time, knowing the location of migration herds will determine whether you should book accommodation in Masai mara national reserve or Serengeti national park.
Location and proximity of accommodation from the migration routes
Some lodges and hotels are approximately located near wildebeests migration routes in such a way that tourists can view the migration at the lodge before and after game drives. On the other hand, booking with mobile migration camps will give you the best experience because they move following the migration all year round giving you firsthand encounters. Some of these lodges also offer game drives and airport pickups.
Your budget
Booking accommodation for migration safari will also depend on the tourist’s budget, there are several options of luxurious, midrange and budget accommodation to choose from. You can choose one that suits your budget as well as have excellent wildlife watching opportunities. Budget travelers can also travel during low seasons when some lodges offer offseason rates to clients.
Time of travel
Considering travel dates is essential for choosing accommodation during your migration safari. Traveling during the peak seasons from July to October and January to early March means you reserve where to sleep in advance of at least three months before traveling. This is because during the peak season, there is high demand for hotels and lodges therefore most accommodations are fully booked.
Personal interests
The wildebeests migration comes with action packed dramas and occurances. Some tourists are interested in the birthing season while others are interested in river crossings. If your interest is in the calving season, you should book accommodation around Ndutu area or Ngorongoro conservation area from late December to February where about 8000 wildebeests are born daily. Tourists interested in river crossings should book accommodation close to Grumeti and Mara rivers and visit from June to October.
