The Great Migration isn’t a single event. It’s well over a million wildebeest, with zebra and gazelle, moving in a loop through the Serengeti and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, following the rain and the fresh grass. The timing shifts a little every year, so treat this as a guide rather than a schedule.
December to March: the southern plains
The herds spread out on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area. Most calves are born around February, often hundreds in a single day, and lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow close behind.
April and May: moving north-west
The long rains arrive and the herds start moving. This is a quieter, greener and cheaper time to visit, although some roads get muddy.
June and July: the Western Corridor
The herds gather to cross the Grumeti River in the western Serengeti. Crocodiles wait in the pools.
July to October: the Mara River
The famous river crossings happen in the far north of the Serengeti, around Kogatende. Crossings are unpredictable. Sometimes you wait for hours, and sometimes the herds cross three times in a morning.
November: heading south again
The short rains pull the herds back south through the eastern Serengeti towards the calving grounds, and the loop starts again.
Planning around it
Tell us your dates and we’ll place you where the herds are most likely to be. Remember that the central Serengeti has excellent resident game all year, so a safari outside migration season is still well worth doing.
Your questions answered
When is the best time to see the migration?
It depends what you want: calving from January to March, river crossings from July to October.
Is the migration in Tanzania or Kenya?
Mostly Tanzania. The herds spend most of the year in the Serengeti and cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara from about August to October.
Can I see a river crossing on a short safari?
It’s possible, but crossings need patience. Allow at least two days in the northern Serengeti.
