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Where the herds are likely to be each month, the best places to watch, and how to plan a migration safari.
Often called the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth, the migration is not a one-time event but a continuous, year-round cycle driven by rainfall and fresh grass. Each year more than 1.5 million wildebeest move across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles.
What is the Great Wildebeest Migration?
About 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000–300,000 zebras and hundreds of thousands of Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles follow the seasonal rains between northern Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Because they follow the rain rather than a calendar, timing changes slightly from year to year.
Migration calendar
- January — Southern Serengeti and Ndutu: calving begins on the short-grass plains; baby wildebeest, lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
- February — Ndutu: peak calving, with thousands of calves born every day and strong predator action.
- March — Southern and eastern Serengeti: calves grow stronger and the herds start moving north.
- April — Central Serengeti: long rains, but the migration continues; lower prices and lush landscapes.
- May — Western Corridor: long columns of herds heading north-west towards the Grumeti.
- June — Western Corridor and Grumeti River: crocodiles wait at the first crossings, usually smaller than the Mara’s.
- July — Northern Serengeti: giant herds arrive, preparing for the Mara River crossings.
- August — Mara River: dramatic crossings through crocodile-filled water; peak season.
- September — Northern Serengeti: the herds stay north and may cross the river several times.
- October — Northern Serengeti: some herds start south as the short rains approach; predators remain active.
- November — Eastern and Central Serengeti: the migration heads south with the short rains; fewer visitors.
- December — Southern Serengeti and Ndutu: the herds return ahead of the next calving season.
Best time for your interests
| Calving season | January–February |
| Predator action | January–March |
| Grumeti River crossings | June |
| Mara River crossings | July–September |
| Fewer tourists | April–May |
| Best overall wildlife | June–October |
| Budget safaris | March–May and November |
Is the migration guaranteed?
No. The herds’ location can shift by several weeks each year; the pattern is fairly predictable, but nature does not follow a fixed schedule. An experienced operator improves your chances of being in the right place.
Tips for planning
- Book 6–12 months ahead for peak season.
- Stay in camps near the migration route.
- Spend at least 4–6 days in the Serengeti.
- Pack binoculars, a camera with spare batteries, sunscreen and neutral-coloured clothes.
- Travel with a guide who tracks the herds every day.
Frequently asked questions
When are the river crossings? Mainly July to September, depending on rainfall. Is the migration only in Tanzania? No — it moves between the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, spending most of the year in Tanzania. How long does it last? It never ends: it is a continuous cycle.
From Mara River crossings to calving-season trips and private luxury safaris, Goggi Africa Safari will build your trip around the migration. Contact us for a tailor-made plan.
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