Comparing the best two locations to photograph the Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

When planning a photo safari that focuses on the wildebeest migration, the timing of the trip can significantly impact the type of wildlife experiences you'll encounter. Here’s a comparison between going during the calving season versus when the migration is near the Mara River:

Calving Season (January to March)

You could always join us in the lush, green plains of the southern Serengeti, where the wildebeest herds gather for one of nature's most breathtaking events—the birth of over 500,000 calves in just a few short weeks. Picture yourself crouched low in the golden grasses, your camera trained on a newborn wildebeest taking its first steps under the watchful eye of its mother. Every frame tells a story of survival, as prowling lions, sleek cheetahs, and cunning hyenas lie in wait. This is your chance to photograph the circle of life in its most intimate and poignant moments.

  • Location: The southern Serengeti, particularly in the Ndutu region and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania.

  • Wildlife Experience:

    • Wildebeest Calves: During this period, over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born within a few weeks. This creates a unique opportunity to photograph newborns and capture intimate moments between mothers and their calves.

    • Predator Interaction: The abundance of vulnerable young calves attracts many predators, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards. This makes it an excellent time for photographing predator-prey interactions.

    • Landscape: The landscape is lush and green due to the recent rains, providing a beautiful backdrop for wildlife photography.

    • Photography Opportunities:

      • Action Shots: Predators hunting wildebeest calves.

      • Environmental Photos: Massive herds roaming the plains

      • Portraits: Close-ups of newborn wildebeest and their mothers.

      • Traditional African wildlife: All the Big-5 can be seen in the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

      • Dramatic Lighting: The green plains and dramatic skies after rains provide stunning lighting for photos.

Mara River Crossing (July to September)

Brace yourself for the adrenaline rush of the Mara River crossings. As the wildebeest herds approach the riverbanks, the air is thick with tension. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras plunge into the crocodile-infested waters, creating a maelstrom of chaos and raw energy. Your camera will capture the drama of the crossing, the split-second leaps, and the life-and-death struggles that define this epic journey. The scale and intensity of the migration at this time are unparalleled, offering you the chance to create iconic, award-winning images.

  • Location: Northern Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

  • Wildlife Experience:

    • River Crossings: The highlight of this period is the dramatic and perilous river crossings. Thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave the crocodile-infested Mara River, creating one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles.

    • Crocodile Predation: The river crossings attract large Nile crocodiles, offering opportunities to capture intense predation scenes.

    • Other Wildlife: In addition to wildebeest and zebras, you can often see elephants, giraffes, and big cats like lions and leopards in the area.

    • Photography Opportunities:

      • Action Shots: Capturing the chaos and drama of the river crossings, with wildebeest leaping into the water and the tension of potential crocodile attacks.

      • Wide-Angle Shots: The massive herds spread across the plains provide opportunities for stunning wide-angle shots showing the scale of the migration.

      • Aerial Photography: Helicopter or hot air balloon rides offer unique perspectives of the migration from above.

Key Differences:

  • Focus:

    • The calving season is more about intimate and detailed moments of new life and predator-prey dynamics on the open plains.

    • The Mara River crossings focus on high drama and action, with the possibility of capturing some of the most iconic and adrenaline-filled moments in wildlife photography.

  • Setting and Atmosphere:

    • The calving season offers lush, green landscapes and a calmer, nurturing environment.

    • The Mara River provides a dry, dusty, and tense atmosphere, with dramatic river scenes.

  • Predator Activity:

    • During the calving season, predators are more dispersed, actively hunting the vulnerable young and massive herds.

    • Near the Mara River, predators are often found near the crossing points, waiting for the chance to strike during the crossings.

Your choice between the two depends on whether you prefer the intensity of predator-prey interactions with newborns or the high-stakes drama of river crossings during the migration. Both seasons offer unique and unforgettable photography opportunities.

But why limit yourself to just one of these incredible experiences? Each season offers a unique perspective on the Great Migration, from the tender beginnings of life to the dramatic battles for survival. By joining our photo workshops during both the calving season and the Mara River crossings, you’ll have the ultimate opportunity to capture the full story of the migration—an adventure that will elevate your wildlife photography to new heights.

Whether you’re shooting the serene landscapes of the southern Serengeti or the action-packed scenes at the Mara River, these workshops are designed to put you in the perfect position to capture the most breathtaking moments of this natural wonder. Don’t miss your chance to photograph Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacle—twice.

See these two tours here – https://akariphototours.com/destinations/africa/tanzania/

Travel Guides, Photography WorkshopsKevin A Pepper