The Great Migration Safari
Your Ultimate Guide to Witness the Great Migration Safari in Africa.
An Unforgettable Wildlife Spectacle
Your Great Migration Getaway
At a Glance
Depending on which time of the year you embark on your Great Migration Getaway, you’ll either find yourself in the vast Serengeti or the iconic Masai Mara, each offering a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
Picture this: early mornings filled with the sights and sounds of the savanna, as the herds move in unison across golden grasslands. Midday brings a break in the shade, with a gourmet picnic set against a breathtaking backdrop. As evening falls, return to your luxury camp—where crackling fires, warm hospitality, and endless starry skies make for the perfect way to end the day.
Whether you’re witnessing dramatic river crossings in the Mara or the arrival of newborn calves in the Serengeti, every moment is unforgettable. And with Ameliya Safaris, you’ll experience it all in unmatched comfort—Expertly guided game drives, handpicked lodges, and seamless service designed for the discerning traveler.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- Customizable duration.
- Front row seat to The Great Migration.
- Handpicked Mobile Camps and Permanent Lodges.
- Experience the wilderness on foot through a walking safari.
- Ample Photographic Opportunities
- Learn about local customs and a different way of life with a Cultural Visit.
Costs Per Person
| Camp | 3 Nights/4 Days | 4 Nights/5 Days |
| Classic Camps | US $ 3,495 | US $ 4,505 |
| Premium Camps | US $ 4,710 | US $ 6,125 |
| Luxury Camps | US $ 7,560 | US $ 9,925 |
| Ultra Luxe Camps | US $ 10,260 | US $ 13,525 |
Ameliya's Great Migration Safari packages
Great Migration Safari Packages
Classic Camps
3 Nights/4 Days – US $ 3,495 (per person)
4 Nights/5 Days – US $ 4,505 (per person)
Premium Camps
3 Nights/4 Days – US $ 4,710 (per person)
4 Nights/5 Days – US $ 6,125 (per person)
Luxury Camps
3 Nights/4 Days – US $ 7,560 (per person)
4 Nights/5 Days – US $ 9,925 (per person)
Ultra Luxe Camps
3 Nights/4 Days – US $ 10,260 (per person)
4 Nights/5 Days – US $ 13,525 (per person)
Enquire Now
Once you’ve submitted the form, an Ameliya Representative will connect with you within 24 hours to help you plan your safari getaway.
Please Note: We advise you to go through the Rates (Mentioned Above), Payment Terms, and Inclusions & Exclusions (Mentioned Below) before submitting your details.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- Accommodation, all meals, tea/coffee, laundry services.
- On-call concierge service.
- Roundtrip transfers via a scheduled charter flight from Nairobi to Masai Mara.
- Domestic beer & wine and select liquor, safari sundowners, bush breakfasts, and WIFI.
- Conservation Levy, morning and evening game drives in a shared vehicle (exclusive vehicles are chargeable), and bush walks.
- Activities as indicated on the itinerary
- Flying doctors medical evacuation cover
Exclusions
- National Park Fees
- Taxes as applicable
- Tips, international flights & transfers, additional activities, visa fees, travel & medical insurance, exclusive vehicle.
- All other expenses not mentioned in the “inclusions” above will have to be borne as additional expenses by the participants
Park Fees and Additional Costs
Additional Costs
Park Fees
Mandatory for all visitors
| Park | Visitor Type | Amount |
| Masai Mara National Reserve | Adult (17+) | $200 per day |
| Child (9–17 years) | $50 per day | |
| Child (0–8 years) | Free | |
| Serengeti National Park | Adult (16+) | $83 per day |
| (5–15 years) | $24 per day | |
| Child (0–5 years) | Free |
Serengeti Concession Fee
Mandatory for all visitors
| Season (2025) | Visitor Type | Amount |
| High Season | Adult (16+) | $70.80 per day |
| Child (5-15 yrs) | $11.80 per day | |
| Child (0-5) | Free | |
| Low Season | Adult (16+) | $59 per day |
| Child (5-15 yrs) | $11.80 per day | |
| Child (0-5) | Free |
| Tanzania Tourism Dev Levy | 1% of Accommodation |
Private Vehicle Charges
While your Amleiya Itinerary is inclusive of Game drives in shared vehicles, private vehicles can be arranged (with advanced notice) through our accommodation partners at the following costs-
| Classic Camp | $350 per day |
| Premium Camp | $475 per day |
| Luxury Camp | $800 per day |
| Ultra Luxe Camp | $1365 per day |
*Please Note-
- These prices are applicable per person (sharing for 2)
- GST & TCS will be applicable for all Indian citizens going abroad, as per Government of India regulations.
Payment Terms
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2025 only. Rates for 2026 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honored.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is the largest movement of animals on Earth, with vast columns of wildebeest — sometimes visible even from space.
Over 1.2 million wildebeest, accompanied by 300,000 zebras, topis, and gazelles, journey through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grass and water. Each animal covers 800 to 1,000 kilometers, guided by instinct and the rhythm of the rains.
But survival is never guaranteed. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and crocodiles lie in wait, ensuring only the strongest (or the luckiest) endure. The treacherous river crossings are particularly unforgiving, with steep banks, rushing currents, and ever-watchful predators.
Ameliya's Great Migration Safaris
The Great Migration Safari Timeline
Contrary to popular beliefs, The Great Migration is a year-round event, not a continuous forward motion at all times. More than 1.2 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra, along with topi and other gazelle constantly move in a cyclical journey through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of nutritious grass and water. They go forward, backward and fan out across the plains. They mill around, they split up, they join forces again, they walk in a line, they spread out or they hang around together. Even if you don’t catch the legendary river crossings, you’re in for an incredible treat.
The migration follows an ancient route from Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area, through the Serengeti, and into Kenya’s Masai Mara, before circling back south. Each grazing species plays a part — wildebeest feed on the tallest grass, zebras trim the mid-level growth, and gazelles finish what remains, ensuring balance across the plains.
Though no one knows exactly how wildebeest navigate, it’s believed they sense rain and storms from over 50 kilometers away, chasing the promise of greener pastures. It’s nature’s most extraordinary display of resilience — a timeless spectacle, forever in motion.
The Great Migration in January, February, and March.
The Great Migration in January, February, and March.
Usually considered the beginning of the Great Migration, in January the herds are in the short grass plains in the Ndutu region of southern Serengeti and the northern section of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania (though not in the Crater). The nutrient-rich grasslands here offer the perfect setting for the wildebeests to welcome their newborn calves.
The calving season starts at the end of the month. The herds gather across the short-grass plains near the northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and Olduvai Gorge, and around 8,000 wildebeests are born per day within a period of two to three weeks.
This season brings a very dramatic yet essential chapter in the migration’s story. With so many vulnerable newborns present, lions, hyenas, and other carnivores find plentiful opportunities to hunt while adult wildebeests try their best to safeguard their offspring.
The Great Migration in April and May
The Great Migration in April and May
Following the birthing season in February and March, the wildebeest herds begin their gradual journey northwest by April, seeking the lush, rejuvenated grasses of the central Serengeti. Accompanied by thousands of zebras and smaller antelope, they make their way toward the Moru Kopjes by May, forming vast columns that stretch for kilometers. As the landscape hums with new life, the annual rut begins, with male wildebeest engaging in head-to-head battles for dominance. Despite the fierce competition, the herds move at a steady pace, grazing alongside their companions.
Momentum builds as they approach the Serengeti’s Western Corridor, where the challenge of the Grumeti River awaits. While these crossings may lack the dramatic notoriety of the Mara River, they remain remarkable in their own right. Crocodiles lie in wait, seizing opportunities amid the surge of wildebeest. For travelers, this season offers a more intimate safari experience — fewer crowds, uninterrupted views, and an abundance of wildlife encounters, making it a particularly rewarding time to explore the Serengeti.
The Great Migration in June and July
The Great Migration in June and July
In June, as the dry season sets in, vast herds of wildebeest gather in the Western Serengeti and along the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each animal must brave its first major obstacle — crossing the crocodile-infested river.
By July, the migration gains momentum as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras push northward along the park’s western corridor. Awaiting them is their second obstacle- The Mara River, a far more daunting challenge and one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles in the world.
While these dramatic crossings often begin in July during peak safari season, their exact timing is always up to nature.
Later in July, the wildebeest that successfully cross the Mara River make their way into Kenya’s Masai Mara. If you pick the right accommodations, you can witness the breathtaking crossings from the comfort of the lodge’s main deck, sometimes with the Mara and Talek rivers offering front-row seats to nature’s raw drama.
The Great Migration from August to October
The Great Migration from August to October
By August, the herds have conquered the formidable Mara River and are scattered across the northern Masai Mara and the northern reaches of the Serengeti. In years when the river’s currents are strong, the crossings become scenes of turmoil — a chaotic mix of frantic movement, lurking predators, and rushing waters that claim countless lives. Even when the river flows more gently, crocodiles and other predators remain a constant threat, preying on the vulnerable as they reach the banks. Each crossing is unpredictable; some see only a handful of wildebeest venturing across, while others witness a continuous surge of animals for hours.
By September and October, the frenzy subsides as the herds push eastward. But their journey is far from over. Before long, they’ll face the Mara’s challenging waters once again as they begin the long trek southward, driven by the eternal rhythm of the migration.
The Great Migration in November and December
The Great Migration in November and December
Following the East African short rains in late October and early November, the wildebeest begin their southward journey from Kenya, moving into the eastern edges of the Serengeti. Passing through the Namiri Plains — renowned for exceptional cheetah sightings — they gradually spread across the region. By December, the herds can be found scattered throughout the eastern and southern Serengeti.
As the new year begins, the rains bring vibrant green grasses to the southern plains, drawing not only the wildebeest but also hundreds of thousands of zebras and other plains animals. With the landscape renewed, the migration cycle comes full circle, ushering in the calving season once more.
Wildlife to See During the Great Migration Safari
