Wildlife

The Great Migration

More than a million wildebeest moving with the rain, all year round.

The herds are always somewhere. What changes is where — and that depends almost entirely on where rain has fallen and where the grass is growing. In a typical year the wildebeest calve on the short-grass plains in the south, move north and west as those plains dry out, cross the Grumeti and then the Mara rivers in the middle of the year, spend the driest months in the far north, and drift south again when the short rains arrive.

Because the pattern is driven by weather rather than the calendar, the same month can look different from one year to the next. Herds can arrive weeks early or late, split into several groups, or move back and forth across a river for days. Planning a Migration safari therefore means choosing a region for the season, giving yourself enough nights there, and staying flexible — not chasing a date.

It is also worth saying plainly: no one can promise you a river crossing, a calving morning or a particular sighting. What we can do is put you in the right part of the ecosystem at the right time of year, with a guide who knows how to read the movement, and enough time on the ground for things to unfold.

Highlights

Well over a million wildebeest, with large numbers of zebras and Thomson’s gazelles
Calving on the southern short-grass plains, typically concentrated in a few weeks around January and February
Dramatic river crossings on the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the middle and later part of the year
Intense predator activity — lions, hyenas, cheetahs and crocodiles follow the herds
Long columns of animals stretching across open plains, a remarkable sight for photographers
Seasonal mobile camps that move with the herds, keeping you close to the action
A cycle that continues all year, so there is always a season worth travelling for

Month by month

Where to be, and when

The herds follow the rain, so timings shift from year to year. Use this as a guide, and we’ll confirm the best areas for your dates.

When	Where the herds usually are	What you might see
December – February	Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area (Ngorongoro Conservation Area)The short-grass plains are usually green and the herds spread out across them. Calving is typically concentrated in a few weeks around late January and February, when very large numbers of calves are born within a short period — and predators are never far away.	The short-grass plains are usually green and the herds spread out across them. Calving is typically concentrated in a few weeks around late January and February, when very large numbers of calves are born within a short period — and predators are never far away.
March	Southern plains, beginning to shift north and westCalves are on their feet and the plains start to dry. As the long rains set in the herds begin to break up and drift, though they often linger while grazing lasts.	Calves are on their feet and the plains start to dry. As the long rains set in the herds begin to break up and drift, though they often linger while grazing lasts.
April – May	Central Serengeti (Seronera) and the Moru areaA quieter, greener and much less busy time. Herds move north through the central woodlands in long columns; roads can be muddy and some tracks difficult after heavy rain.	A quieter, greener and much less busy time. Herds move north through the central woodlands in long columns; roads can be muddy and some tracks difficult after heavy rain.
May – June	Western corridor and the Grumeti RiverThe rut often takes place around this period, with wildebeest bulls calling and sparring. Herds push towards the Grumeti, where the first river crossings of the year may happen.	The rut often takes place around this period, with wildebeest bulls calling and sparring. Herds push towards the Grumeti, where the first river crossings of the year may happen.
June – July	Western corridor moving towards the northern SerengetiThe dry season begins to concentrate the herds. Grumeti crossings are usually smaller and less predictable than the Mara crossings that follow.	The dry season begins to concentrate the herds. Grumeti crossings are usually smaller and less predictable than the Mara crossings that follow.
July – September	Northern Serengeti and the Mara RiverThe classic river-crossing season. Herds may cross north, then back south again, several times. Crossings depend on water levels, grazing and the mood of the herd, so patience and several days in the area matter more than luck.	The classic river-crossing season. Herds may cross north, then back south again, several times. Crossings depend on water levels, grazing and the mood of the herd, so patience and several days in the area matter more than luck.
October	Northern and north-eastern SerengetiHerds remain in the north while grazing lasts, drifting south as the short rains begin to fall on the plains behind them.	Herds remain in the north while grazing lasts, drifting south as the short rains begin to fall on the plains behind them.
November – December	Moving south through the central and eastern Serengeti towards the southern plainsThe short rains pull the herds back towards the south. Movement can be fast and scattered, and the exact route varies considerably from year to year.	The short rains pull the herds back towards the south. Movement can be fast and scattered, and the exact route varies considerably from year to year.

Where to see it

Best places for this

Serengeti National Park
Northern Circuit
The heart of the Migration. Different areas of the park come into their own at different times of year, from the southern plains to the Mara River in the far north.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Northern Circuit
The Ndutu area and the short-grass plains on the southern edge of the ecosystem fall partly within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the calving season is usually centred.
Tarangire National Park
Northern Circuit
A separate, much smaller seasonal movement of wildebeest, zebras and elephants within the Tarangire ecosystem — a good early stop on a longer northern safari.
Arusha
Northern Circuit
Where most Migration safaris begin, with road access to the south and light-aircraft flights to airstrips across the Serengeti.

Wildebeest cows with their tan calves on green short-grass plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A tightly packed herd of plains zebra, their stripes overlapping, in Serengeti National Park

Best time

There is no single best time — it depends on what you hope to see. Roughly December to March suits calving and big-cat action on the southern plains; roughly June to July can bring Grumeti River crossings in the west; roughly July to October is the classic window for the north and the Mara River. All of these vary each year with the rains.

Good to know

The herds follow the rain, not the calendar. Dates shift every year and nothing about the Migration can be guaranteed.
River crossings are unpredictable: herds may gather for hours or days before crossing, or turn back entirely.
Plan at least three nights in the right region — a single night gives very little margin if the herds have moved.
Peak Migration periods and the best-placed camps book up far in advance, often six to twelve months ahead.
Distances inside the Serengeti are long; splitting your stay between two areas, or flying between airstrips, often works better than driving back and forth.

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