Conservationists Stay for Free at Great Migration Camps

April 20, 2023Posted in Conservation Through Tourism, Great-Migration-Camps, Great-Migration-SafarisWritten by Sally GriersonLeave a comment

“Conservation needs to become part of real life, not a fringe activity, and for that to happen it has to move out of science and into lifestyle. We need to create a culture of conservation.” –Colleen Begg*

Conservationists Stay for Free in Tanzania

Every day Conservationists head out to protect and preserve our planet, the environment and the wildlife supported by biodiverse habitats and eco-systems. In recognition of their daily efforts, passion and bravery to conserve and protect biodiversity, habitats or species anywhere in the world, Conservation Through Tourism has a #STAY4FREE policy. This offer is for all those heroes who have a long-term commitment of being part of the conservation solution.

Free Stay for Conservationists

We welcome professional conservationists from all disciplines to any Great Migration Camps for free. Thank you to all the planet protectors, the soil scientists, the climate campaigners, the habitat heroes and biodiversity backers, the species supporters, the ecology activists, environmental scientists and those who make a real contribution to conservation. Take a break with Great Migration Camps – Conservation fatigue is real and it is hard trying to protect our planet. You deserve it.

How #Stay4Free for Conservationists Works

Professional Conservationists with valid credentials should contact info@greatmigrationcamps.com for a free B&B stay at any Great Migration Camp.
Being mobile the camps do move location so getting in touch shortly before you travel

Select your dates
Select your camp
Create your trip based on availability
Confirm your safari

Conservationists Stay 4 Free T’s and C’s

Stay4Free is available when booked less than 60 days prior to arrival. See if we are free!
Stay4Free includes accommodation and breakfast at any GMC Camp subject to availability- additional meals and fuel/vehicle surcharge may be applicable
Stay4Free excludes getting to any GMC Camp (we can assist with flights or safari transport)
Stay4Free excludes Park & Camping fees in any National Park, WMA or Conservancy along with any applicable government taxes.
Stay4Free excludes any third-party costs that may apply.
Stay4Free is applicable to any Conservation Professional with valid credentials.
Stay4Free Partners, Friends or Children pay 50% of Published Rates and all 3^rd party costs.

Great Migration Camps for Conservationists (#stay4free)

Great Migration Camps creates low impact mobile safari experiences, following the great migration in the Serengeti National Park. GMC mobile fly-camps are available in, around or enroute to the great-migration seasonal camp. Mobile explorer camps travel to other parks and wildlife management areas, currently within Tanzania, and can be booked exclusively or as part of an itinerary for conservation or for safari clients. Contact info@greatmigrationcamps.com for reservations.

Conservation Through Tourism: Conservationists stay for free

Our aim is to encourage travellers to visit vulnerable areas – areas that need conservation help, habitat and biodiversity protection and community support. The benefits of the physical presence of visitors, in addition to their crucial revenue spend, is critical to the protection of natural areas that are home to unique flora and fauna. We aim to create habit and wildlife value for communities, governments and wildlife.

*Colleen Begg is a South African conservation ecologist with 30 years’ practical experience in African conservation. Colleen is Co-founder Women for the Environment Africa (WE Africa) / Co- Founder & Co-Director Niassa Carnivore Project

The Great Migration: Double River Crossings

July 23, 2022Posted in Conservation Through Tourism, Great-Migration Updates, Great-Migration-Camps, Great-Migration-SafarisWritten by Sally GriersonLeave a comment

Double river crossings of the Great Wildebeest Migration, Serengeti

The Great Wildebeest Migration is often erroneously linked with the river crossings of the Mara River. The river crossings are riveting to witness, and the star of the great migration show. For some lucky observers, it is possible to watch a double crossing during one river crossing event.

What is a double river crossing of the Great Migration?

Some of the wildebeest calves are separated from their mothers whilst crossing the Mara River with the rest of the herd. These calves often return to where the came from, looking for their mothers. Sometimes the mothers go back and swim through the waters again to find their young ones. The double river crossing or return river crossing refers to some wildebeest individuals crossing the river twice in one event.

Who is involved in double river crossings during the Great Migration?

Watch this amazing video of the 6-month-old calves in a “return crossing”. We witnessed the main crossing of the entire herd, then in a state of confusion, these calves returned to the Mara River and crossed it again. The adrenaline and chaos of the crossing and being in the water dulls the calves’ sense of smell. Smell is their primary way of identification. In the water, or just after getting out of the water, they cannot smell or find their mothers. In a sense of desperation at being lost their natural instinct is to go back to where they came from, resulting in a double crossing. Lost calves are brave in their determination to find their moms!

Experience the Great Migration in 2022 – River Crossings and more

Join us for the world’s largest overland mammal migration as 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 18,000 eland and 200,000 Thompson’s gazelle move through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. We don’t wait for the herds to come to us, we take you to them – leaving no trace. Follow them with us online or in person. Migration Updates every month. Email sally@greatmigrationcamps.com to book your seat to the great migration. We still have some availability in late August, into September, so join us before the 2022 river crossing season is over.

“Nothing ever becomes real ‘til it is experienced.” John Keats

The Great Migration: July 2022 Update

July 19, 2022Posted in Conservation Through Tourism, Great-Migration Updates, Great-Migration-Camps, Great-Migration-SafarisWritten by Sally Grierson1 Comment

Great Migration Update from Tanzania 19 July 2022

As per our great migration predications last month, the river crossings started in the Northern Serengeti in early July. It’s been a cracking start to the great migration crossing season, with the majority of the herds arriving near Makutano. The early river crossings were at Crossing Points 7 & 7B. As more great migration herds arrived in the second week of July, the Mara River crossing point shifted west to coincide with the arrivals of the Western Herds. There were some spectacular great migration river crossings at Numbers 4 and 5. The steep banks and intensive herds, created billowing dust for some impressive crossings. Superb sightings for happy guests who were up early to enjoy Nature’s greatest show. Large herds are now grazing leisurely in Lamai Wedge.

Mara River crossing at No 4 from south to north MIGRATION UPDATE: 16 July 2022

Great Migration Update from Kenya: July 2022

Last week there were some huge crossings of the Sand River into Kenya. The herds that crossed the Mara River are moving slowly and should reach the Mara Triangle soon, they seem to be hanging around Miles Turner Hill and taking a leisurely break.

MIGRATION UPDATE JULY 2022: Huge herds of the Great Migration cross the Sand River into Kenya

Let’s hope it’s a great year for the Maasai Mara and Mara Triangle, where we are monitoring how long they spend in the Maasai Mara and Mara Triangle and how far north they go into the Mara Conservancies this year of 2022 (if at all). Results will be good indicators if the Kenyan conservancy model (where cattle also graze the land), will allow enough grazing for the wildebeest of the great migration, who seem to be competing for the same resources as cattle. Holding thumbs for the great migration to have a longer stay in the Maasai Mara this year.

MIGRATION UPDATE JULY 2022: Serengeti Great migration, Mara River crocodile kill 2022

Great Migration predictions for July and early August 2022.

It is fairly dry up in the Northern Serengeti, with no real rain forecast in the next two weeks. Despite a build up of some moisture from Lake Victoria creating some amazing clouds, there has been no rainfall and very little is predicted. We are hoping for some light showers here and there, to provide short green grass for the wildebeest to eat, otherwise it becomes tough going for the great migration herds. The drier spells accentuate the pressure on the eco-system and limited food becomes obvious when there is no rainfall. We are even noticing that the low water levels of the Mara River this 2022 are making it hard for the crocodiles to feed.

Until there is big rain in the north to pull them further, we predict smaller crossings back and forth across the Mara River in the next few weeks. There are still some herds arriving from the south, so it’s likely there will be lots of to-and-fro with wildebeest herds on both sides of the Mara River.

Great Migration: News update July 2022

More good news from Kogatende is that the bridge to the Lamai Wedge is now open. Thanks to TANAPA for coordinating the repairs to the bridge across the Mara River for the great migration crossing season. It is wonderful to have road access on both sides of the river, when staying at Great Migration Camps for the great migration river crossing season 2022.

Visit the Great Migration in 2022

Email info@greatmigrationcamps.com to book your seat to the great migration. We still have some availability first week of August & the last two weeks of August, into September. Book soon to avoid disappointment. The show must go on.