What You Need to Know: The Great Migration is the year-round movement of about a million and a half wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, around the Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara. The herds are usually on the southern plains around Ndutu from December to March (calving in January–February), move through the center and west from April to June, reach the north and the Mara River from July to October, and head back south in November. The timing shifts with the rain each year.
Where Is the Serengeti Migration Each Month?
| Month | Usual location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| January | Southern plains, Ndutu | Calving begins |
| February | Southern plains, Ndutu | Peak calving; predators everywhere |
| March | Southern plains | Calves growing; rains begin |
| April | Moving north-west through the center | Long rains, green plains |
| May | Central and western Serengeti | Rut; columns on the move |
| June | Western Corridor | Grumeti River crossings possible |
| July | Moving north | First Mara River crossings |
| August | Northern Serengeti and the Mara | Crossings at their busiest |
| September | Northern Serengeti and the Mara | Crossings continue |
| October | Starting south | Last crossings |
| November | Through the central Serengeti | Short rains; herds on the move |
| December | Arriving in the south | Herds settle on the short grass |
Treat this as a guide, not a timetable: a late or early rainy season can shift everything by weeks.
| Months | Usual area | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| December – March | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu | Calving: about half a million calves born in a few weeks, with predators close |
| April – May | Moving from the south towards the center | Long rains; herds on the move |
| June – July | Western Corridor, Grumeti River | Rutting and the first river crossings |
| July – October | Northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara | Mara River crossings |
| November | Moving south through the east | Short rains bring the herds back south |
These are the usual patterns; each year's rains shift them by weeks. We follow current reports and plan your camps around them; see our migration safaris and where to stay in the Serengeti.
The Calving Season in the Southern Serengeti
In January and February hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born on the short-grass plains around Ndutu, within a few weeks. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow, so predator action is at its most intense. It is one of the most reliable migration experiences, because the herds stay in the area for weeks. Our 5-day calving season safari goes there by road.
The Mara River Crossings
From July to October the herds cross the Mara River in the northern Serengeti, often in huge, chaotic crossings watched by crocodiles. Crossings happen when the herds decide, sometimes several a day, sometimes none for days, so a full day at the river gives the best chance. The north is far by road, so we fly to Kogatende with Auric Air or Coastal Aviation; see the 4-day river-crossing fly-in, or by road the 8-day migration photography safari.
How to Plan a Safari Around the Migration
| You want… | Go | Our safari |
|---|---|---|
| Calving and predators | January – February, Ndutu | Calving safari |
| Mara River crossings | July – October, north | River-crossing fly-in |
| Time to follow them | Any month | 10-day safari |
We plan your camp around the latest reports from our guides, but sightings are never guaranteed. Seasonal camps fill early: book three to six months ahead for February and August.
Choose your month by what you want to see: calving and predators in February, river crossings in August and September, or quieter green-season game in November. Then let us choose the camps near the herds for your dates.
Why the Wildebeest Herds Move
The migration is driven by rain and grass. The short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti are rich in nutrients after the rains, which is why the herds gather there to give birth from December to March. As the plains dry out, the herds move west and north in search of fresh grazing and water, reaching the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara by the middle of the year, then return south with the short rains in November.
The timing changes every year with the rains, so the herds can be weeks early or late. That is why we plan migration safaris around recent reports, and choose camps in the right area for your dates.
See our migration safaris and where to stay in the Serengeti.
Great Migration Myths
The migration is not a single event on a fixed date, and the herds don't move in one line. They spread across huge areas, split and rejoin, and change direction with the rain. River crossings can happen several times a day, or not for days. Seeing a crossing takes patience and luck, which is why we plan several days near the river in season.
Common Questions About the Great Migration
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
Calving in January and February on the southern plains, and river crossings from July to October in the north.
Is the Great Migration guaranteed?
No. We plan around the usual pattern and current reports, but the herds move with the rain.
How many animals are in the migration?
Around a million and a half wildebeest, with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles.
Can I see the migration in April or May?
Yes, in the central and western Serengeti, though the long rains make roads harder.
When is the best month to see the migration?
February for calving, and August or September for river crossings, though the herds can be early or late.
How many animals are in the migration?
Around 1.5 million wildebeest, with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles.
Is the migration in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both: most of the year it is in Tanzania's Serengeti, moving into Kenya's Maasai Mara from about July to October.
Can I see the migration in June?
Yes, usually in the Western Corridor and central Serengeti, moving north.
The Bottom Line
Pick calving in February or crossings in August, book early, and let us place your camp where the herds are. In any other month, a longer safari can follow them.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.