Quick answer: The Great Wildebeest Migration moves in a loop through the Serengeti ecosystem all year. Roughly: calving in the southern Serengeti from January to March, the Western Corridor and Grumeti River in June and July, and the dramatic Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti from about July to October. Then the herds head south again in November and December. Nature does not follow a calendar, so these are patterns, not promises.
What is the Great Migration?
More than a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, follow the rains and fresh grass in a huge circle through Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and crocodiles follow them. It is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.
Where are the herds each month?
December to March: southern Serengeti and Ndutu
The herds graze the short-grass plains in the south and in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving usually peaks in February, when thousands of calves are born every day, and predator action is intense. See our 5-Day Calving Safari and 6-Day Calving Safari.
April and May: moving north and west
The long rains arrive and the herds begin moving through the central Serengeti. It is quiet and green, with great value at the lodges.
June and July: Western Corridor and the Grumeti River
The herds gather in the Western Corridor and cross the Grumeti River, which has large crocodiles. These crossings are less famous than the Mara crossings but far less crowded. Try our 7-Day Grumeti River Crossing Safari.
July to October: northern Serengeti and the Mara River
The headline event. The herds reach the Mara River and cross it again and again, back and forth. Crossings can happen at any time of day, or not for days. Patience is everything, so plan at least three nights in the north. Our 7-Day Mara River Crossing Safari is built around this.
November: heading south
The short rains bring fresh grass in the south, and the herds stream back through the eastern and central Serengeti. It is a beautiful, uncrowded time to travel.
When is the best time to see the migration?
That depends on what you want. February is best for calving and predators. July to September is best for river crossings. Both are excellent. Our 6-Day Serengeti Migration Safari can be adapted to wherever the herds are when you travel.
Can you guarantee a river crossing?
Honestly, no one can. What we can do is put you in the right area at the right time, with a guide who reads the herds well and who is patient. That gives you the best chance.
How do I plan a migration safari?
- Book 6 to 12 months ahead for July to September. Camps near the Mara fill fast.
- Choose mobile or seasonal camps that move with the herds.
- Combine with the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire for a complete northern circuit.
Also read the best time to visit Tanzania and how much a safari costs, or ask us where the herds are right now.
