The wildebeest of the Great Migration are currently hurtling themselves into and out of the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. It’s a spectacle on many people’s bucket list, but while it’s quite late in the summer to book a safari if you want to see it, there is still space if you know where to look…
The Great Migration, made up of 1.5 million wildebeest searching for fresh pastures, takes a circular route around the Serengeti throughout the year. In the transitional month of June, the herds move quite fast from the southern plains through Seronera (central Serengeti) and many begin arriving at the Mara River by the end of the month.
Here, herds will linger around the Mara River banks and once one takes the plunge, 100 or 5,000 might follow. They tend to loiter in the Lamai Wedge – the space between the Mara River and the Kenyan border – or in the Kogatende region (south of the river) before making their way back south.
What a lot of people don’t realise is that in the right camps, it’s possible to see river crossings all the way up until November. So while you may have missed the boat for a July safari, there is still space in our favourite migration camps in September and October: brilliant times to catch the herds. (But as is the case with any safari reliant on wild animals behaving as they usually do, nothing is guaranteed.)
Laba Migration Camp
Singita was always the plushest offering in the Serengeti, beloved by the rich and famous – until Laba came along. The Laba Migration Camp describes itself as the most luxurious mobile camp in the Serengeti, and we’d have to agree. The decor looks like it’s been taken straight from a magazine, with its soft furnishings, warm browns and leather luxuries.
Although tented, Laba’s 10 rooms offer a full suite experience with a futon, double bed, and organic cotton everything. The main area oozes class with its various design features including a dramatic chandelier. The food is light, yet decadent and moreish. It’s also got a tented gym.
Laba is dismantled in six days, three times a year, to be best placed for the migration. It stays in the northern Serengeti until November.
Nomad Lamai and Serengeti Safari Camp
Nomad is one of the best companies in Tanzania for a barefoot luxury safari experience and fantastic guiding. In the northern Serengeti, the company has two options of accommodation – one is a tented camp, and the other their flagship lodge.
Serengeti Safari Camp offers delicious food, well-equipped tents, and a fantastic guiding experience in one of the park’s best-loved mobile tented camps. Like Laba Migration Camp, it moves throughout the year following the migration’s route. Unlike Laba, it’s not wholly fussed on blowing your socks off with an in-house gym, but SSC is luxurious nonetheless. With Nomad, your guide will always be brilliant, and you know the food will be exceptional. This special little camp will soon feel like home.
Meanwhile, Nomad Lamai – which is uniquely positioned in an elevated area of the Lamai wedge – is Nomad’s luxurious permanent lodge, brilliantly located in its own little prime wildlife viewing spot without too many lodges, and therefore vehicles, nearby.
Here, you can unwind by the pool with an incredible view of the park below and enjoy all the luxuries while still being best-placed for river crossings. While some luxury lodges can be jarring against the natural African bush surroundings, Lamai blends seamlessly into the kjope-dotted area, with earthy tones, simple decor, and a barefoot luxury feel.
Wayo is a company committed to getting you away from the crowds, which is particularly important when it comes to seeing the Great Migration river crossings. A Wayo safari revolves around top quality adventures, and there are varying levels of luxury you can choose within this.
Walking Camp is the only Serengeti option that offers a truly intrepid, multisite walking safari experience. By this we mean the camp ups sticks and moves every two days or so, offering guests an exclusive safari adventure like no other. The seven dome tents are super lightweight and due to their mobile nature, are fairly basic, but surprisingly comfortable nonetheless. This camp is totally bespoke, so you can decide which area of the Serengeti you want to explore, making it perfect for a Great Migration safari as you can quite literally follow the herds.
Wayo Little Green Camp offers a more permanent feel as it moves less frequently around the Serengeti following the migration. Like SSC, its six tents are placed in the northern Serengeti region until November. The gauze-sided and roofed tents allow guests to star-gaze from the comfort of a proper bed and the safety of a tent. Attached to each is a bathroom and bucket shower, and adventures include walking safaris and game drives.
