We can’t stress enough that February is the only time of year that you are pretty much guaranteed to see the huge wildebeest herds if you stay in the right area. In February, the place to be is the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (towards the south of the Serengeti). In Ndutu, there are not any permanent camps/lodges, so the place to stay is in a mobile tented camp.
Is February a good time to see the Great Migration?
Yes, absolutely – if your priority is seeing a mega herd of wildebeest and some excellent predator sightings, there is no better time to go. The only down side to this time of year is that you cannot see the Mara River crossings which have made the Migration so famous, as these only happen from July through to October in the northern Serengeti plains. But we don’t see this as a down side really – calving season in February is seriously cool to see, and the whole migration experience is completely different. Here, you can expect flat endless plains dotted with millions of brown wildebeest shaped specks, stretching as far as the eye can see. February is the best time to go to get the full impact of the sheer volume of animals involved in the migration with the back drop of the classic endless Serengeti plains.
So, where should I stay to get the best chance of catching the herds in February?
The Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area! In February, there really is nowhere better to be in the whole of Tanzania (and possibly Africa) than in a mobile camp in the south of the Serengeti.
Which mobile camps to stay at for a February Serengeti safari in Ndutu?
Mid range mobile camps
Chaka ($607 pppn). Very comfortable accommodation and an excellent overall experience in great locations, at an amazing price; you can’t go wrong with Chaka for a basic yet authentic Serengeti safari.
Barefoot luxury mobile camps
Serengeti Safari Camp ($900 pppn but 7 for 5 nights and 5 for 4 nights deals throughout the month). An office favourite. Moving between 3 locations throughout the year and with 2 mobile camps, Nomad Tanzania’s passion of exceptional safaris shines through in everything they do… Safari mad but without compromising on quality one little bit, Serengeti Safari Camp is unbeatable for an authentic Serengeti safari.
Ubuntu ($768 pppn). Asilia’s best value mobile camp, Ubuntu is similar in style to Serengeti Safari Camp and in an equally excellent location at this time of year. A fabulous choice for a barefoot luxury tented safari experience.
Olakira ($1,070 pppn). Asilia’s most luxurious mobile camp, Olakira has a similar feel to Serengeti Safari Camp but aimed at slightly more luxury-loving audience. Whilst SSC is barefoot luxury, Olakira is barefoot luxury with sandals on!
Alex Walker’s Serian ($1,110 pppn) – Luxurious food, service and tents but with a really classic safari style. A huge perk of Serian is that your price includes a private vehicle and guide for your whole stay. Serian has two camps at this time of year, one in the Kusini region of southern Serengeti (Serian Kusini, to the slightly north and west of Ndutu) and another even south of this, deep into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area called Serian South. In February, either are excellent locations to catch the herds from. One thing to consider is that Serian South is not in the national park which means you can enjoy walking, cultural visits as well as fly camping…
Very luxurious mobile camps
Serengeti Under Canvas ($1,240 pppn) &beyond’s Serengeti mobile camp, this is a very luxurious tented option and for those who don’t mind splashing out on a premium experience.
Early January permanent central Serengeti camps to potentially combine with a mobile one
Kiota ($430 pppn) As Chaka’s sister camp, this is an exceptional value property. Located in Seronera, with amazing views of the surrounding plains, it is exceptionally well positioned for the excellent central Serengeti resident wildlife. It is very comfortable with lovely staff and a very welcoming atmosphere.
Namiri Plains ($1,122 pppn). Namiri Plains is one of the best locations in the whole of the Serengeti in our view, migration or no migration. It is set in the eastern area of the park and with only one other camp in its vicinity, hardly any vehicles venture here. This does not mean its wildlife is less prominent by any means, but quite the opposite. As a former cheetah conservation area the big cats here are extremely good. Fine food, luxury tented accommodation in a magical area; you can’t get much better than this.
Dunia ($914). Another Asilia property, and one which we love to send couples and families alike to – it suits everyone, and the all-female staff create an incredibly welcoming and warm environment. Exceptionally well positioned in a quieter area of the Seronera region, with it’s excellent resident wildlife, it is a fantastic choice.
