Great Migration — May
The Grumeti Crossings Begin
May is the best-kept secret of the Great Migration — dramatic crossings, empty parks, and green season beauty.
Tanzania's Best-Kept Safari Secret
May is the month that experienced Tanzania safari-goers return to again and again — and quietly recommend to friends who ask. This is when the wildebeest have completed their long northbound march from Ndutu and are bunching up along the Grumeti River, preparing to cross. The river crossings have begun, the western corridor is green and lush, the wildlife density is extraordinary, and the parks are largely empty.
The Grumeti River crossings are smaller in scale than the famed Mara River crossings of July and August — perhaps a few thousand wildebeest at a time rather than tens of thousands. But the crossings are easier to witness in full because the river is more contained, the vegetation allows for better visibility, and the number of vehicles is a fraction of what you would find at the Mara in August.
If you have the flexibility to travel in May, this is our single most recommended month for travellers who want the Great Migration experience without the peak-season premium — and without sharing every sighting with fifteen other vehicles.
Why May is Our Favourite Migration Month
First River Crossings
Late May marks the beginning of the river crossing season. The Grumeti River — narrower and more contained than the Mara — offers crossings that are easier to position for and witness in full. The crocodiles are present, the hippos are vocal, and the wildebeest bunch at the riverbanks before plunging in. It is the migration at its most dramatic, but before the crowds arrive.
Predator-Rich Western Corridor
The western corridor has one of the highest lion densities in Africa. As the wildebeest move through the riverine woodland, they pass through lion territory. Sightings of lions in the trees, lazing on fallen logs, or actively hunting at dawn are a feature of May visits to this area. Leopard are also regularly seen in the riverine forests.
Untouched Landscapes
May is deep in the green season. The western corridor is at its most beautiful — thick vegetation, bright green grass, full rivers, and dramatic skies. The parks are empty. The light quality is exceptional for photography. This is Tanzania without the crowds, and in many ways at its most beautiful.
Significant Cost Savings
May lodge rates are typically 30 to 50 percent lower than July and August. A safari that would cost $8,000 per person in August might be $5,000 in May. If budget is a consideration, May offers the Great Migration at a fraction of peak-season cost.
Wildlife Presence — May in the Western Corridor
Wildebeest
Western corridor — large concentrations building toward crossings
Zebra
Mixed with wildebeest, large numbers in western corridor
Lion
High density in western corridor — excellent sightings
Leopard
Regularly seen in riverine forests
Nile Crocodile
Present in Grumeti River — active during crossings
Hippo
Large pods in Grumeti River, audible at night
Elephant
Present throughout corridor
Birdlife
Resident and Palearctic migrants present
Planning Your May Safari
Where to Stay in May
The western corridor has a small number of camps — most are seasonal, operating only during the dry season when the roads are passable. In May, the Grumeti Serena Safari Lodge and a handful of tented camps in the Kirikily/Sagitari area are typically open. The camps book up among those in the know — May is popular with experienced safari operators and repeat Tanzania visitors.
We strongly recommend booking May western corridor camps at least three months in advance — they are small properties and they fill quickly among the safari trade.
Suggested Itinerary — 7 Days
Western corridor — Grumeti crossings, lion prides, leopard in riverine forest.
Move to central Serengeti — morning and afternoon game drives, Moru Kopjes.
Ngorongoro Crater — full crater floor day. At its greenest, most beautiful.
Tarangire — elephant herds, baobab landscapes, exceptional birding. Fly out from Arusha.
Save 30–50% vs Peak Season
May lodge rates are dramatically lower than July through October. The same safari experience — the same wildlife, the same crossings — at a fraction of the cost. Budget-conscious travellers who choose May get the best of the Great Migration without the peak-season premium.
Get May Safari Pricing