The Great Migration: When, Where & How to See It

The Great Migration is the largest terrestrial wildlife migration on Earth. Over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move in a continuous clockwise loop through the Serengeti ecosystem and into Kenya's Masai Mara. It is a spectacle that has played out for millions of years — and it is one of the few natural events that genuinely takes your breath away.

Understanding the Migration Cycle

The migration is not a single event. It is a year-round process driven by rainfall and the growth of fresh grass. Here is how it unfolds:

January – March: Calving Season (Southern Serengeti)

The herds gather on the short-grass plains of the Ndutu region, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in a matter of weeks — an average of 8,000 per day. The open landscape and sheer number of vulnerable young attract the highest concentration of predators in Africa. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs all take advantage of the abundance. This is one of the most dramatic wildlife events on the planet.

April – May: The Journey North

As the southern plains dry out, the herds begin moving north and west through the central Serengeti. This is the long rains period, and the migration can be harder to follow as animals spread across a wider area. The Western Corridor becomes the main route, with herds crossing the Grumeti River.

June – July: Grumeti River Crossings

The Grumeti River crossing is a precursor to the more famous Mara River event. Nile crocodiles — some over 4 metres long — wait in the river. The crossings are dramatic but smaller in scale than the Mara. The Western Corridor camps offer a more intimate experience than the crowded northern areas.

July – October: Mara River Crossings (Northern Serengeti)

This is the headline event. The herds mass on the southern banks of the Mara River, which forms the border with Kenya. They mill about for days — sometimes weeks — before one individual plunges in and triggers a cascade. Hundreds of animals follow, scrambling up the opposite bank while crocodiles attack. The spectacle is chaotic, terrifying, and utterly magnificent. Some herds cross into the Masai Mara in Kenya; others remain in the northern Serengeti.

November – December: The Return South

The short rains begin, and the herds loop back south through the eastern Serengeti. The cycle begins again.

Where to See the Migration by Month

• January – March: Southern Serengeti (Ndutu) — calving, predators
• April – May: Central Serengeti (Seronera) — movement, Grumeti approach
• June – July: Western Corridor (Grumeti River) — first river crossings
• July – October: Northern Serengeti (Lamai, Mara River) — major crossings
• November – December: Eastern Serengeti — return journey

How to Plan Around the Migration

The migration does not follow a fixed schedule. The timing shifts by weeks each year based on rainfall. This is why a good tour operator matters — we track the herds in real time using guide reports and aerial surveys, adjusting your itinerary to put you in the right place at the right time.

Key planning tips:

• Book well in advance for July–October. The best northern Serengeti camps fill up a year ahead.
• Be flexible. A 4–5 day Serengeti extension allows time to relocate if the herds move unexpectedly.
• Consider the calving season. January to March offers equally dramatic wildlife at lower prices and with fewer crowds.

For a migration-timed itinerary, contact our team. We plan every safari around real-time wildlife movements.