Most travellers picture the Great Wildebeest Migration at its busiest: dramatic Mara River crossings between July and October, or the wildebeest calving season from December to March. But if you’d rather avoid the crowds, there are quieter times to travel. In late October to December, and again in April and June, the herds are still on the move across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, yet the atmosphere is far calmer and sightings feel more exclusive.
These transitional months offer some of the best opportunities to see the migration without the congestion of high season. Here are our Experts’ picks of the top migration camps for an off-season safari, where you can enjoy superb wildlife alongside space, wilderness, and fewer vehicles
Namiri Plains (Eastern Serengeti, Tanzania)
Remote and lightly visited, this former cheetah research area offers excellent predator sightings and vast, open plains. Between October and December, the wildebeest migration passes through, yet Namiri remains wonderfully quiet.
© Asilia
Lamai Serengeti (Northern Serengeti, Tanzania)
From November to March, when the seasonal camps have gone, the north feels like a true wilderness again. Staying at Lamai, just a short drive from the Mara River, you’ll have excellent resident wildlife with very few other vehicles around.
© Nomad Tanzania
Kicheche Bush Camp (Mara Conservancies, Kenya)
In a private conservancy next to the national reserve, sightings are limited to just five vehicles. You can still head into the reserve for migration action, then return to the camp’s quieter setting in the evening.
© Kicheche
Naboisho Camp (Mara Conservancies, Kenya)
A stylish and welcoming camp in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy, this is one of the best places in Kenya for year-round wildlife. With fewer crowds and the ability to explore off-road, it offers a more exclusive Mara experience.
© Asilia
Offbeat Mara (Mara North Conservancy, Kenya)
A relaxed, traditional bush camp in the Mara North Conservancy. You’ll be close to great game-viewing but away from the busiest parts of the ecosystem, with a camp that keeps things simple and authentic.
© Offbeat Safaris
