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The weather during this time is usually dry and sunny, although October to December brings the short rains to Tanzania and the central regions of Kenya. The landscape is in stark contrast to the main rainy season. The grass dies back and, as the season progresses, more and more animals congregate around the permanent sources of water. Visitor numbers increase in July and peak in August as these months coincide with holidays in the Northern Hemisphere. July to September are also the coolest and most pleasant months in East Africa, especially along the coast. Even during this busy time our travel consultants can help you stay off the beaten track for an unspoilt safari experience.
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Western Serengeti National Park.

The western corridor straddles the northward migration route of the wildebeest migration. At the end of the wet season, the herds depart the southern and eastern Serengeti plains and begin their journey in search of greener pastures. By July the migration should be in full swing as the herds make their way from the plains to their transitional range located in the Western Serengeti and further to the northern woodlands. Predators will also be highly visible.
  

Northern Serengeti National Park.

As the dry season progresses in July, the great herds continue to shift northward towards the Northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Zebra tend to reach the Northern Serengeti sometime in early July while the wildebeest herds usually begin to appear in the northern Serengeti towards mid July.
  

Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

By mid August, the main herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra are located in the watershed area of the Masai Mara where they will remain until early October. Then they reverse course and come flooding back down the northern corridor to the Serengeti plains.
 

Mombasa Holiday.

November brings the Mombasa Carnival in Kenya with floats, parades and music from every culture, custom and religion. There are two main parades which converge onto Moi Avenue and feature incredible floats, spectacular costumes and fantastic music.
 

Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire National Park is smaller and less known than its famous neighbors to the north. However, Tarangire comes into its own from July to November, when enormous populations of elephants and other animals are drawn from the parched outlying areas to the Tarangire River and other sources of permanent water within the park. Elephant viewing is outstanding and you could see over 200 of them on a single game drive! You can also expect to see giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and several species of antelope. With a little luck you will encounter leopard and some of the rarer antelope, including Eland, Kudu and Oryx. This is also the favorite time of year for the lions of Tarangire as their main quarry, wildebeest and zebra, are in abundance. The concentration and variety of game, combined with the spectacular scenery, make Tarangire a must see on every safari from mid July to late November.
 

Wildebeests Migration during July - November.

By July the wildebeest and their entourage have begun the journey from the Serengeti plains towards the green pastures of the Masai Mara. As the plains of the south and east dry out, there is a movement to the north and west, where there is more grass and more dependable water. In a dry year, the first wildebeest could be near the Mara River (the only decent permanent water in the ecosystem) in early July; in a wet year - mid August. If conditions are very good, and there is plenty of grass and water, the herds will be spread out all the way from Seronera to the Mara River.

The northward wildebeest migration is divided between two main population groups with different migration routes. The main group follows the Mbalageti and Seronera Rivers from the southern plains into the western corridor, crossing the Grumeti River. This watercourse is their first real obstacle and gigantic crocodiles are waiting for the hesitant wildebeest to stumble at the crossing. Here they remain until July when the land dries out completely. They must then head towards the Masai Mara and its greener pastures. From Grumeti, the herds move before crossing the Kenyan border into the Masai Mara. Here again, they must cross a river, this time the Mara with its masses of hungry crocodiles. The second main group heads directly north from the plains through the Central Serengeti and directly into the Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara without entering the Western Serengeti.

In the Masai Mara, the grassy landscape and nutrient wealth for the great herds are created by abundant rains. Up to one and a half million animals pour in from the dry plains of Tanzania. Being in the reserve between August and September when the wildebeest have arrived is a mindblowing experience. The sheer numbers are staggering. The variety of species is also unique. In one place you may be able to see ten or more species at a time - wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, hyena, lions, eland and gazelle. And if you are lucky enough to witness a river crossing, you are sure to develop a new understanding and respect for the struggle for survival in the African wild.

The mass of animals remain on the productive Mara grasslands until October or November. And then, as the storm clouds gather in the south, the vast herds return to their breeding grounds which, by the time they arrive, are once again green and lush.
 

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