A Guide to the Serengeti Great Migration in October
Tanzania’s Serengeti Great Migration
The Serengeti is the ‘mother’ of all safari parks and the Great Migration one of the planets most impressive wildlife events; this is a park that epitomises the very essence of safari. Home to the largest herds on earth and with Africa’s Big Five on show, the Serengeti is one of those rare places that exceeds your expectations.
The 1.5 million-strong ‘Wildebeest Great Migration’ is the park’s major attraction and the majority of trips to the Serengeti should be designed around it. In this 12-part month by month blog series, I look at each month’s movements of the herds and all the other wildlife caught up in the action. I will also link you to my suggestions for the best places to stay throughout the year, to make sure you’re in the thick of the herds whenever you travel. And there are a few suggestions for how you might like to combine your Great Migration trip with other areas. Intrigued? Read on…
A Guide to the Serengeti Migration in October
October is an incredibly dry month, as the park is often desperate for rain. Early October still sees the mega-herd spreading out across the entire northern Serengeti to the Maasai Mara (basically identical to August and September) however October will also always see the onset of Tanzania’s light rains…which can start the migration south. Don’t get caught up in this possible early move south however as the mega herds have historically moved later and so October remains a good river-crossing month, with Kogatende the place to be if this is your focus. October is always slightly quieter than August and September…never a bad thing!
Summary – Clear skies and beautiful days, but the land is as dry as a bone. Good river crossings and excellent resident game overall, but early October can be a somewhat ‘desperate’ month for the animals before the rains. These are tough times.
What Parks Are Best to Combine With the Serengeti in October?
This is a very difficult topic – because the vast majority of Tanzania is superb in October! I’ve always found it helps clients to consider options for trips that stay just in northern Tanzania, and then options that include the south and west of the country.
The North
- The Ngorongoro Crater is virtually impossible to turn down. This spectacular game-drive area may be busy, October is quieter than the peak months, and besides, how often are you going to have the opportunity to drive on the floor of an extinct volcano… and with one of the highest densities of animals anywhere all around you?! The setting is nothing short of exceptional…but if you want to avoid the crowds there is a strong argument for missing it out.
- Tarangire is a fantastic choice in October. This park is most famous for its elephant herds which start to mass on Tarangire’s rivers and swamps from July onwards. It is a wonderful, off the beaten track gem of a safari park that is great contrast to the open plains of the Serengeti.
- My secret spot in the north is Lake Natron, for the quality of walking, the sheer beauty of the volcanic scenery, and the fact you are far off the tourist track – I think it’s well worth a visit. You have to want to be adventurous, though!
The South and West
- Tanzania’s west is the place of safari enthusiasts and chimpanzees. Katavi is as wild a park as anywhere I’ve been, while Mahale is the finest destination in Africa for viewing chimps. The cost of trips out here takes prices to another level (flights are over $1,000pp alone!), but the experience is truly special.
- Try to be slightly clever with your budget, however, and Tanzania’s Ruaha is a cracking park where big game is at its best. I love designing trips that focus on the Serengeti and Ruaha…the value and authenticity is superb whilst the predator concentrations are unrivalled. Likewise, nearby Nyerere (formerly Selous) offers amazing boating safaris and a different experience overall.
The Beaches
Finally, the beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago or Tanzania’s mainland coast are superb. Mozambique is also excellent but tricky to include due to difficulties with flights. Further afield and the Seychelles or Mauritius are superb.
The Best Serengeti Safaris in October
The major decision that needs to be made is whether you include the Ngorongoro Crater. As visually stunning and game rich as it is, I cannot stress how incredibly busy this park can be in the peak months, by October it starts to get a little quieter.
If you are looking to stay in northern Tanzania then a combination of Tarangire, the Crater and the Serengeti is the trip I would do. We can be clever with internal flights and only do a one night Crater stay that means you see the Ngorongoro quickly and move on, making the most of the area. Alternatively, miss out the Crater area altogether and simply focus on the two migrations – the elephants in Tarangire and the Serengeti’s wildebeest Great Migration.
However, a trip I always love designing is the Serengeti for the river crossings and Ruaha in central Tanzania for sheer wilderness and predators! These two areas have such unbelievably good game, complement each other in terms of very different habitats. Ruaha will always be one of my top three big game parks. If you have slightly longer then including the boating in Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) is a great way to finish.
And finally, the beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago or mainland coast….can you be tempted by cocktails…and gorgeous beaches surrounded by turquoise waters?
