Lake Manyara National Park

February

Short rainy season

The advent of the short rains means that green grass is in abundance.

This is when the wildebeest calving season starts, a real bonanza for predators. In the woodland, giraffe, elephant and buffalo are generally easy to locate.

Rain is sporadic and herds congregate in areas with lush grass.

March

Short rainy season

The migration is often at it's most impressive with vast herds spread across the plains.

The wildebeest calving season is in full swing now, providing good chances of witnessing a birth.

It is often quite dry at this time and the herds might split into smaller units scattered around the southern plains in search of the best grazing conditions. In late March, the Long Rains start.

April

Long rainy season

This is one of the best times to explore the eastern part of the ecosystem, particularly around Gol Mountains. The scenery is spectacular and the vast numbers of animals add to the drama.

The migrating herds start their journey north, moving up to Moru, Seronera and tipping into the Western Corridor possibly by May.

The long rains are here, which means there are regular short sharp downpours.

May

Long rainy season

Traditionally viewed as the off season May is one of our favourite months in the Serengeti. The plains are covered in wild flowers, the rains have begun to ease and the open grasslands are home to abundant plains game and the ever close behind predators.

The herds continue the journey north, possibly making their way up into the Western Corridor by mid to late May.

The rains continue into early May, but begin to ease towards the end of the month.

June

Dry Season

Traditionally the month for the Western Corridor as the herds continue north. Localised weather patterns can have a dramatic effect on how long the migration spends in this area.

With the ecosystem continuing to dry out, the herds continue westwards, towards the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor. Huge crocodiles in the Grumeti lay in wait, hungry, leading to explosive action when the wildebeest come down to drink.

The rains have eased and the Serengeti begins to dry out. The south becomes pretty dusty throughout June, and the north also sees the grasslands beginning to thin and dry out.

July

Dry Season

A very transitional month with the migration ultimately reaching northern Serengeti – when they arrive depends on how much rain has sustained the grass in areas further south of the Serengeti.

In dry years the first of the herds can reach the north early July; if there’s been plenty of rain in central/western Serengeti it may not be until the end of the month that they arrive in the north.

The north is still fairly green, especially on the western side, and the odd rain shower is possible. Elsewhere it is dry and dusty.

August

Dry Season

The migration reaches the northern Serengeti and stays in this area until October.

During this period wherever pockets of rain fall in the north, new shoots of grass will appear and attract the herds and so they spend their time criss-crossing back and forth across the Mara River – this is when the spectacular river crossings occur.

Short localized showers are common throughout this season but have little impact on the overall dry, sunny weather.

September

Dry Season

The migration reaches the northern Serengeti and stays in this area until October.

During this period wherever pockets of rain fall in the north, new shoots of grass will appear and attract the herds and so they spend their time criss-crossing back and forth across the Mara River – this is when the spectacular river crossings occur.

Short localized showers are common throughout this season but have little impact on the overall dry, sunny weather.

October

Dry Season

The migration reaches the northern Serengeti and stays in this area until October.

During this period wherever pockets of rain fall in the north, new shoots of grass will appear and attract the herds and so they spend their time criss-crossing back and forth across the Mara River – this is when the spectacular river crossings occur.

Short localized showers are common throughout this season but have little impact on the overall dry, sunny weather.

November

Short rainy season

Another very transitional month as the herds start their journey back south usually arriving in central Serengeti and reaching slightly north of that and to the south.

During November the migration often fragments into smaller herds which each take different routes south.

Rain has usually started to fall in the southern plains pulling the migration south, but they can swing back around should rain fall again in the North.

December

Short rainy season

The cycle of the great migration in the Serengeti ecosystem comes full circle.

By Christmas time the migration has usually completed its circuit and is back on the short grass plains of the Ndutu area. Early December can see them still scattered around central Serengeti and making their way south.

The short rains have started once again and the new grass shoots on the short grass plains provide much needed nutrients for the expectant wildebeest mothers as they prepare to drop their calves in February.