The Best Time to See the Great Migration – Month by Month

The Great Migration is a continuous, circular movement of over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles across Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. While the journey follows a general pattern, exact locations vary yearly with rainfall. The migration can be broken into four main phases, each offering a unique safari experience.

December – March: Calving Season (Southern Serengeti & Ndutu)

The herds gather in the lush southern plains of the Serengeti and northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

• December – January: Wildebeest graze on nutrient-rich grasses in Ndutu and Kusini, preparing for calving.

• February: Over 500,000 calves are born in just a few weeks. The abundance of vulnerable young attracts predators, offering intense predator-prey action.

• March: The last calves are born. Herds remain in the south but start moving slowly northward as the rains fade.

April – Mid-June: The Trek North & The Rut (Central Serengeti & Western Corridor)

As the plains dry, the herds begin their long journey north toward fresher grazing grounds.

• April: The wildebeest migrate through Naabi Hill and the Moru Kopjes. Rain may still fall, feeding the grasses.

• May: Large herds stretch across the landscape as mating (the rut) begins. Males compete fiercely for mates.

• Early June: Wildebeest reach the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor, facing their first river crossing — crocodile encounters begin.

Mid-June – November: River Crossings & Northern Serengeti (Mara Region & Masai Mara)

This is peak safari season and the best time to witness dramatic river crossings.

• Mid-June – July: Herds move rapidly into the Northern Serengeti. River crossings at the Mara and Grumeti Rivers begin.

• August: Iconic scenes unfold as thousands of wildebeest cross the crocodile-infested Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara.

• September: The majority remain in the Masai Mara, though some herds still straddle the Serengeti.

• October: Herds start returning south, with more Mara River crossings as rains return.

• November: Short rains trigger movement toward the Serengeti’s central and southern plains.

December: Return to the South

As the rains bring new grass to the southern Serengeti, the herds complete their cycle.

• December: Wildebeest move through the central Serengeti, arriving back in Ndutu and Kusini, ready to calve again. Thunderstorms refresh the landscape, and the cycle restarts.

Tips for Planning

• For Calving: Visit between January and March in the southern Serengeti.

• For River Crossings: Aim for July to October in the northern Serengeti or Masai Mara.

• For Fewer Crowds: Travel during the shoulder seasons – April to June or November.