Home / Africa Blog / The Great Migration on a budget [Guide]

The Great Migration on a budget [Guide]

Every year more than 1.5 million wildebeest and 200 000 zebra and gazelle migrate in a big loop across the plains of the Masai Marai National Park in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. This migration is recognised as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Natural World” – an awe-inspiring spectacle of antelope on the move, pursued by predators such as crocodiles and lions. It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world and an absolute must if you’re a nature lover.

While most people think of it as an annual event, the Great Migration is in fact a continuous cycle. The animals moving back and forth between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. Crossing the Mara River each time in search of better grazing (the saying “the grass is greener on the other side” perfectly sums up their motivation!).

The Great Migration on a budget

The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are expensive safari destinations, and prices are highest during the months of the migration. However it is possible to see the Great Migration on a budget.

Your best budget option is an overland tour to either Tanzania or Kenya during the migration period. We offer a selection of budget overland safaris to the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. These tours facilitate camping in the parks and spending your days on game drives, seeing those nature documentary scenes first hand.

Popular budget Masai Mara and Serengeti Safaris:

  • Tour Length 12 days
    Group Size Max 17
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Kenya, Tanzania
    Overview Nothing can compare to encountering the legendary wildlife of the Serengeti and Masai Mara in the flesh. That’s why we’ve dedicated 12 full days to exploring this iconic safari circuit. Traverse incredible national parks where golden grasslands stretch on to the ends of the earth, watch wildebeest kick up the rich African dust as they migrate in their millions, and venture off track to isolated regions to meet local tribes world apart. The road is as diverse as it is unpredictable, so be prepared for adventure.
    • Your tour requires participation from all group members. This entails assisting with the food preparation, washing of dishes, keeping the truck clean and the setting up the camp. Please keep in mind that flexibility and an open mind is needed on the trip. Your guide is registered with the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA)

    Price from

    R56,850

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    Kenya Tanzania Safari on a Budget (All Inclusive)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    18 Jun 2023 → 29 Jun 2023

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    R56850
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    02 Jul 2023 → 13 Jul 2023

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    16 Jul 2023 → 27 Jul 2023

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    08 Dec 2024 → 19 Dec 2024

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    22 Dec 2024 → 02 Jan 2025

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  • Tour Length 11 days
    Group Size Max 26-30
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Kenya, Tanzania
    Overview This 11 day trip visits the top 4 Game Reserves in East Africa (Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater) allowing for wonderful game viewing opportunities on the vast plains.

    Price from

    R62,830

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    Highlights of East Africa Tour (11 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    12 Jun 2023 → 22 Jun 2023

    From

    R62830
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    26 Jun 2023 → 06 Jul 2023

    From

    R62830
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    10 Jul 2023 → 20 Jul 2023

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    24 Jul 2023 → 03 Aug 2023

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    07 Aug 2023 → 17 Aug 2023

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    21 Aug 2023 → 31 Aug 2023

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    R62830
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    04 Sep 2023 → 14 Sep 2023

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    18 Sep 2023 → 28 Sep 2023

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    R62830
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    02 Oct 2023 → 12 Oct 2023

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    16 Oct 2023 → 26 Oct 2023

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    R62830
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    30 Oct 2023 → 09 Nov 2023

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    13 Nov 2023 → 23 Nov 2023

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    27 Nov 2023 → 07 Dec 2023

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    25 Dec 2023 → 04 Jan 2024

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    08 Jan 2024 → 18 Jan 2024

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    R62830
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  • Tour Length 10 days
    Group Size Max 20
    Starts & Ends Starts: Dar es Salaam Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Tanzania, Kenya
    Overview On this Highlights of Tanzania safari relax on the beaches of Zanzibar and experience wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater. Experience East Africa while on adventure to Africa's beaches and safari parks.  

    Price from

    R31,150

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    Highlights of Tanzania Budget Safari (North) (10 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    12 Jun 2023 → 21 Jun 2023

    From

    R31150
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    03 Jul 2023 → 12 Jul 2023

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    28 Aug 2023 → 06 Sep 2023

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    27 Nov 2023 → 06 Dec 2023

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    18 Dec 2023 → 27 Dec 2023

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Go glamping or include chill time in Zanzibar on these trips to see the migration:

  • Tour Length 28 days
    Group Size Max 16
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Dar es Salaam
    Countries Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
    Overview 28 Day Nairobi to Zanzibar Overland Comfort Tour includes gorillas, game parks and beach trek in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania National Parks and Zanzibar beaches.
    • Price Beat Guaranteed
    • 10% early bird discount (6 months or more)

    Price from

    R78,534

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    Gorillas, Parks & Beach Trek Comfort Tour (28 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    17 Jun 2023 → 14 Jul 2023

    From

    R87260
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    15 Jul 2023 → 11 Aug 2023

    From

    R87260
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    12 Aug 2023 → 08 Sep 2023

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    R87260
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    09 Sep 2023 → 06 Oct 2023

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    R87260
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    07 Oct 2023 → 03 Nov 2023

    From

    R87260
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    04 Nov 2023 → 01 Dec 2023

    From

    R87260
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    02 Dec 2023 → 29 Dec 2023

    From

    R87260 R78534

    10% off!

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    30 Dec 2023 → 26 Jan 2024

    From

    R87260 R78534

    10% off!

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    27 Jan 2024 → 23 Feb 2024

    From

    RZAR 87260 R78534

    10% off!

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    24 Feb 2024 → 22 Mar 2024

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    RZAR 87260
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    23 Mar 2024 → 19 Apr 2024

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    20 Apr 2024 → 17 May 2024

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    18 May 2024 → 14 Jun 2024

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    13 Jul 2024 → 09 Aug 2024

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    30 Nov 2024 → 27 Dec 2024

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    28 Dec 2024 → 24 Jan 2025

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  • Tour Length 13 days
    Group Size Min 2 Max 7
    Starts & Ends Starts: Arusha Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Kenya, Tanzania
    Overview Head for the hills, mountains and valleys as you travel through Tanzania and Kenya on the Great East African Lodge Safari. This is a round trip that starts and ends in Arusha. Experience the grassy plains that stretch on into the horizon in the Serengeti and lay your eyes upon the tranquil Lake Victoria.  

    Price from

    R98,130

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    Great East African Lodge Safari (13 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    18 Jun 2023 → 30 Jun 2023

    From

    R103880
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    02 Jul 2023 → 14 Jul 2023

    From

    R111500
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  • Tour Length 10 days
    Group Size Min 2 Max 7
    Starts & Ends Starts: Arusha Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Kenya, Tanzania
    Overview This 10 day Best of Tanzania and Kenya Safari covers many highlights of northern Tanzania and Kenya. You travel to the Tarangire National Park, Masai Mara Game Reserve and end in Nairobi. You will be staying in Tented Camps.

    Price from

    R85,850

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    Best of Tanzania & Kenya Safari in Tented Camps (10 Days)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    18 Jun 2023 → 27 Jun 2023

    From

    R90820
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    02 Jul 2023 → 11 Jul 2023

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    R96530
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When to see the Great Migration

In June and July, the herds start amassing along the Grumeti River in the Serengeti, preparing to head northwards to the Masai Mara. In August and September, the herds reach the Mara River and start to make the famous crossing, many dying in the process or by crocodiles. These are the quintessential migration scenes you may have seen in nature documentaries – hordes of animals moving at once with single-minded purpose. By October the herds start moving from the Masai Mara southwards back to the Serengeti. Although with changing weather patterns, the migration is not always predictable and the movement patterns can vary. However you can bank on the end of August to the end of September being the best time to see the Great Migration if you want to witness the big river crossing.
 

Budget Serengeti Tours by Length

Chat to one of our experienced trip advisors to find the best trip to suit your needs.

 

About Sarah Duff

Documentary filmmaker/ travel writer/ photographer - www.sarahduff.com
Article by: Sarah Duff
on May 19, 2016
Filed under  Africa Blog • Kenya • Tanzania • Travel Articles • Wildlife 
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