Timing the Great Migration’s Iconic River Crossings

When to See the Great Migration’s Dramatic River Crossings.

Best Time to See the Great Migration’s River Crossings: The Great Migration of wildlife is one of the most amazing pages on earth which takes place in Tanzania. More than a million wildebeest with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle traverse an ecosystem known as the Serengeti-Mara every year in the search for new grazing. The most exciting scenes in this epic adventure are the scenes of the river crossings as great herds of people face the danger of crocodile-infested waters and the might of a river.

It is a bucket-list event to any Tanzania safari lover that he gets to witness this unrefined exhibition of the drama of nature. There is no secret that it is important to know when to visit these river crossings in order to organize a great adventure in Tanzania.

The Rhythm of the Migration

The rains, emergence of fresh grass and the instinct of the animals makes the Great Migration. The cycle in Tanzania begins with the southern Serengeti calving season in the period of January to March when thousands of wildebeest have calved on the nutrient rich plains of Ndutu. After this the herds are off to the northwest to the middle of the Serengeti and ultimately to the Grumeti and Mara rivers, to find new grazing and water.

The time when the river crossings occur is thus not determined on an annual basis but usually occurs between July and October. In these months, wildebeest and zebra in the herds face the Grumeti river in the west of Serengeti before they cross that to the Maasai river in the north near the border of Serengeti national park with the Maasai mara in Kenya. There is no crossing the same river where there is not encounter, and the intensity of the crossing, the intensity of the predator vary in accordance with the crossing.

Seeing the Crossings of the Grumeti River.

The Grumeti River is the first major obstacle the migrating herds have to cross as the animals continue their march to the western side to the Serengeti. This is thought to be most likely to see this crossing between the end of June and the beginning of August, based on rainfall. The Grumeti has a bad reputation of these crocodiles which wait on the banks to pounce on the unsuspecting wildebeest.

It is a heart pounding experience as a crossing is watched at Grumeti. The river is highly flooded and the current is strong and the animals are forced to jump and push against the water in their effort to cross over to the other bank. The close up shots of these animals are memorable due to the combination of determination, fear, and survival instinct.

The lodges and camps around the Grumeti Reserve have good viewing points and the guides are knowledgeable about the right places and the right time to be at the correct sites to see the animals. Cars usually can reach the areas near the riverbanks and as such, there are clear views with no dangers.

Crossing the Mara River: Nature at its most dramatic.

Perhaps the most well known crossing of all is Mara River in northern Serengeti. Between July and October, the herds come to northern Serengeti and Maasai mara and this gives visitors the eventual wildlife spectacle. Mara River is broader and deeper compared to Grumeti and hence the crossings are more dangerous. Crocodiles are prevalent in the water and they usually strike wildebeest in the middle of a crossing and it is one of the most tense and dramatic moments in the life of photographers and their dreams.

The mara river crossings are important in terms of timing. August and September have been the best months when most of the herds are found in but October may also be excellent as the end of the herd migration makes its way. The crossings may take up several hours or even days as the animals come closer to the river in turns and thus the visitor gets an opportunity to see the action many times. To the people who are planning to take pictures or make a film of the event the early morning sun or the afternoon sun can add more dramatic effect, with long shadows and emphasizing the splashing waters.

Examples of On the job procedures

It should be noted that a trip around the migration river crossings is to be planned carefully. Visitors are mostly drawn into the country by flying into Kilimanjaro or Arusha whereby the operators of the safari provide the visitors with visits to the Serengeti National Park. The roads could also be dusty and rough as well, especially during the dry season and therefore, it is critical to embark on a 4×4 car with an accomplished driver.

Hotels around the crossing places go as far as luxury lodges overlooking the panoramas down to mobile camps following the herds. Numerous camps have direct access to viewing platforms along the Grumeti and Mara Rivers and they allow the traveller to view the crossings at a safe and yet immersive distance. Reservation is strongly suggested especially in high seasons in the month of August and September where there is always shortage of booking since the demand is high.

It can also be customized by the operators to ensure that the chances of multiple crossings are enhanced to promote the chances of tourists visiting that specific location. A few days spent in the western and northern part of the Serengeti region is the guarantee that visitors will never miss the events happening along the river since the movements of the wildlife are unpredictable. Directed game drives, hot air balloon tours and walking tours in the specific locations make the experience more diverse and present the tourists with different approaches to the same landscape.

Optimum Photography and Wildlife Viewing.

Timing of the river crossings is also important but the weather conditions and lighting also affect the experience of the experience. The dry period which occurs around the end of June to October has the clearest skies and accessibility to the vehicles where people can have constant observation of the herds and predators. The dust may give some cinematic effect to the photographs especially in golden hours of the sunrise and sunset.

To the photographers, the mara river crossing is a classical capture of the animals jumping into the water with crocodiles. The action at the Grumeti river is more intimate and can lead to detailed shots of individual interactions of the wildebeest and crocodiles. Being knowledgeable about how the animals behave, guides are able to make predictions when and where to cross and give the visitor the most dramatic and photogenic times.

Realizing the Dynamics of the Migration

Although the river crossings are the greatest part, the entire situation of the Great Migration should be appreciated. Lions, leopards and hyenas are predators that follow the herds resulting in a complicated ecosystem. The predator and prey interactions will make the Tanzania safari experience be worth for more since you are able to witness the crossings as well. Those tourists who take time to observe the grazing behavior, sleeping animals and the behavior of a riverbank shows a deeper insight into this natural act.

Health and Safety.

Tanzania can be considered to be generally safe as long as the tourists use the services of an experienced safari operator. Tourists must also be aware of the risk of malaria especially in the lowlands and take the required precautions. Long days out in the field are full of the need for sufficient sun protection, hydration and comfortable and breathable clothing. The best way to see wildlife is either through vehicles or specific viewing so that there is safety.

To those who hate crowds, one can take the less travelled river crossings points in the western part of the Serengeti to provide a less visible and less intimate experience. There are several camps and lodges that have guides available on a private basis and tailor-made itineraries where visitors can have the ultimate wildlife experience, and not have to go at the busiest time.

Making the Most of Your Trip

In order to make the most out of the migration river crossings, it is better to consider combining your river viewing safari with other visiting iconic Serengeti sites. The view of the calving plains in the southern part of the Serengeti, visiting kopje viewing areas, and following the predators while on the passage add to the experience. A multi-day itinerary is flexible as the time of the crossings may change every year by a few days on the basis of the rainfall.

Early starts should also be planned by the travellers. The most active time is in the morning and at the end of the afternoon, and when one can witness a river crossing in the morning or at sunset, it is a nice way to improve the scene and photographing. Cosy accommodation and properly organised game drives make the experience not only thrilling but also fun and stress free.

The Feeling Effect of Being at the Crossings.

Watching thousands of wildebeest rush across a river because it is instinctive and survival is the order of the day is something quite profound going on. The size of the wave, the noise of the hooves and the water and the tension of the confrontation with the predator gives the memorable sense of the senses. Most tourists report that they get a sense of amazement and admiration of the natural world, that they get to feel a strong sense of connection with the life cycles that can never be felt anywhere but out in the field.

The crossings of the migration river do not just happen to be an observation of the wildlife, but yet, a glimpse into the resilience, bravery, and the beat of life that has existed centuries upon centuries. It is an experience that one can never forget and tells tales and memories that can be clear even many years after leaving Tanzania.

Conclusion

The Great Migration river crossings are a wildlife experience that is one of the greatest as it brings drama, beauty and an understanding of nature in its purest and most captivating form. In order to see them in their best action, make a visit between July and October, with most spectacular action in August and September. Train with experienced mentors, get a safe place to be near the crossings and take the uncertainty that is the cause of excitement of the occasion.

Tanzania is requesting tourists coming here to enter a place where life is survival spectacle and where each river crossing is an adventure of life, instinct and power of nature. The journey is an adventure that is bound to be remembered and is full of reflections and assorted adventure. It is high time that you book your safari and see the spectacular river crossings and one of the most amazing wildlife spectacle on the earth.