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Hippopotamus in Botswana river at sunset with golden light reflections
Vurara SafarisGuidesTimingWhere should I position myself to see the migration?

Where should I position myself to see the migration?

Baseline decision available

The Decision in One Line

Position depends on your travel month, not general migration timing

What This Depends On

Key Assumptions

The migration is not an event but a continuous movement. Animals are always somewhere.

High confidence

Your travel month determines which region you should position in.

High confidence

Actual timing varies 2-4 weeks annually based on rainfall patterns.

High confidence

This might change if...

If traveling December-March, position in southern Serengeti (Ndutu area) for calving.
If traveling July-October, position in northern Serengeti or Mara for river crossings.
If dates are fixed, adjust expectations to what is likely in your region.
If dates are flexible, book closer to travel and follow current migration reports.

Trade-offs to Understand

What you gain

+
Correct positioning maximizes migration encounter probability
+
Each season offers different experiences (calving vs crossings)
+
Understanding timing prevents wrong-region disappointment

What you accept

-
Fixed dates may not align perfectly with actual herd position
-
The Serengeti is 14,750 km²; wrong region means missing migration
-
Timing shifts mean camps booked far ahead may be wrong location

Evidence to Know

The migration is not an event but a continuous movement. Animals are always somewhere.

Well-established pattern

Safari planning

Your travel month determines which region you should position in.

Well-established pattern

Safari planning

Actual timing varies 2-4 weeks annually based on rainfall patterns.

Well-established pattern

Safari planning

Correct positioning maximizes migration encounter probability

Trade-off consideration

Fixed dates may not align perfectly with actual herd position

Trade-off consideration

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