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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 onto 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. All guides are registered with the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).

    Price from

    R60,615

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    Kenya & Tanzania Budget Safari (All Inclusive)

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    31 Mar 2024 → 11 Apr 2024

    From

    R60615
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    14 Apr 2024 → 25 Apr 2024

    From

    R60615
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    28 Apr 2024 → 09 May 2024

    From

    R60615
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    12 May 2024 → 23 May 2024

    From

    R60615
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    26 May 2024 → 06 Jun 2024

    From

    R60615
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    09 Jun 2024 → 20 Jun 2024

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    R60615
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    23 Jun 2024 → 04 Jul 2024

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    R60615
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    07 Jul 2024 → 18 Jul 2024

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    R60615
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    21 Jul 2024 → 01 Aug 2024

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    R60615
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    04 Aug 2024 → 15 Aug 2024

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    R60615
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    18 Aug 2024 → 29 Aug 2024

    From

    R60615
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    01 Sep 2024 → 12 Sep 2024

    From

    R60615
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    15 Sep 2024 → 26 Sep 2024

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    R60615
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    29 Sep 2024 → 10 Oct 2024

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    R60615
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    13 Oct 2024 → 24 Oct 2024

    From

    R60615
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    27 Oct 2024 → 07 Nov 2024

    From

    R60615
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    10 Nov 2024 → 21 Nov 2024

    From

    R60615
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    24 Nov 2024 → 05 Dec 2024

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    R60615
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    08 Dec 2024 → 19 Dec 2024

    From

    R60615
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    22 Dec 2024 → 02 Jan 2025

    From

    R60615
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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

    R41,950

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

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    03 Apr 2024 → 12 Apr 2024

    From

    R41950
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    17 Apr 2024 → 26 Apr 2024

    From

    R41950
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    01 May 2024 → 10 May 2024

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    R41950
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    15 May 2024 → 24 May 2024

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    R41950
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    29 May 2024 → 07 Jun 2024

    From

    R41950
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    12 Jun 2024 → 21 Jun 2024

    From

    R41950
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    26 Jun 2024 → 05 Jul 2024

    From

    R41950
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    10 Jul 2024 → 19 Jul 2024

    From

    R41950
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    24 Jul 2024 → 02 Aug 2024

    From

    R41950
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    07 Aug 2024 → 16 Aug 2024

    From

    R41950
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    21 Aug 2024 → 30 Aug 2024

    From

    R41950
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    04 Sep 2024 → 13 Sep 2024

    From

    R41950
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    18 Sep 2024 → 27 Sep 2024

    From

    R41950
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    02 Oct 2024 → 11 Oct 2024

    From

    R41950
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    16 Oct 2024 → 25 Oct 2024

    From

    R41950
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    30 Oct 2024 → 08 Nov 2024

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    R41950
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    13 Nov 2024 → 22 Nov 2024

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    R41950
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    27 Nov 2024 → 06 Dec 2024

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    R41950
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    11 Dec 2024 → 20 Dec 2024

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    R41950
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    25 Dec 2024 → 03 Jan 2025

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    R41950
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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

    R122,310

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

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    20 Apr 2024 → 17 May 2024

    From

    R135900
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    18 May 2024 → 14 Jun 2024

    From

    R135900
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    15 Jun 2024 → 12 Jul 2024

    From

    R135900
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    13 Jul 2024 → 09 Aug 2024

    From

    R135900
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    10 Aug 2024 → 06 Sep 2024

    From

    R135900
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    07 Sep 2024 → 04 Oct 2024

    From

    R135900
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    05 Oct 2024 → 01 Nov 2024

    From

    R135900
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    02 Nov 2024 → 29 Nov 2024

    From

    R135900
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    30 Nov 2024 → 27 Dec 2024

    From

    R135900
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    28 Dec 2024 → 24 Jan 2025

    From

    R135900
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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

    R104,345

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    Great East African Lodge Safari – 13 Days

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    05 May 2024 → 17 May 2024

    From

    R104345
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    19 May 2024 → 31 May 2024

    From

    R104345
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    02 Jun 2024 → 14 Jun 2024

    From

    R110300
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    16 Jun 2024 → 28 Jun 2024

    From

    R110300
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    30 Jun 2024 → 12 Jul 2024

    From

    R124570
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    14 Jul 2024 → 26 Jul 2024

    From

    R124570
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    28 Jul 2024 → 09 Aug 2024

    From

    R124570
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    11 Aug 2024 → 23 Aug 2024

    From

    R124570
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    25 Aug 2024 → 06 Sep 2024

    From

    R124570
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    08 Sep 2024 → 20 Sep 2024

    From

    R124570
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    22 Sep 2024 → 04 Oct 2024

    From

    R124570
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    06 Oct 2024 → 18 Oct 2024

    From

    R124570
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    15 Dec 2024 → 27 Dec 2024

    From

    R124570
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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

    R90,190

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

    Tour start → end dates Price Enquire
    05 May 2024 → 14 May 2024

    From

    R90190
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    19 May 2024 → 28 May 2024

    From

    R90190
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    02 Jun 2024 → 11 Jun 2024

    From

    R94660
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    16 Jun 2024 → 25 Jun 2024

    From

    R94660
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    30 Jun 2024 → 09 Jul 2024

    From

    R107330
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    14 Jul 2024 → 23 Jul 2024

    From

    R107330
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    28 Jul 2024 → 06 Aug 2024

    From

    R107330
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    11 Aug 2024 → 20 Aug 2024

    From

    R107330
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    25 Aug 2024 → 03 Sep 2024

    From

    R107330
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    08 Sep 2024 → 17 Sep 2024

    From

    R107330
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    22 Sep 2024 → 01 Oct 2024

    From

    R107330
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    06 Oct 2024 → 15 Oct 2024

    From

    R107330
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    15 Dec 2024 → 24 Dec 2024

    From

    R107330
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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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