Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving continuously across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grass. No fixed start date. No finish line. Just one of the most extraordinary wildlife events on the planet — happening every single day of the year.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is the year-round movement of wildebeest (plus zebra and gazelle) between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. The herds follow the rains and the grass — a circular, 1,800-kilometre journey driven purely by survival. There is no single “migration season.” Where you go depends on when you travel.
Where Are the Herds? Month by Month
January – March | Southern Serengeti & Ndutu
Calving season. Up to 500,000 calves are born in just a few weeks. Predators — lions, cheetahs, leopards — gather in extraordinary numbers. This is one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the Serengeti and often overlooked by first-time visitors.
April – May | Central Serengeti
The rains arrive and the herds begin moving north. Fewer visitors, greener landscapes, lower rates. A quieter but genuinely beautiful time in the park.
June – July | Western Corridor & Grumeti River
The herds hit the Grumeti River — the first major crossing. Massive Nile crocodiles wait. The crossings here are explosive and far less crowded than the Mara River. A favourite season for seasoned safari-goers.
August – October | Northern Serengeti & Mara River
Peak season. The Mara River crossings — where thousands of wildebeest plunge into crocodile-filled water — are at their most frequent and intense. This is the image most people associate with the Great Migration. Book well in advance.
November – December | Heading South Again
The herds move south as the short rains arrive. The northern Serengeti empties, the southern plains begin to fill, and the cycle starts again.
How to See It
The key is positioning yourself in the right part of the Serengeti at the right time. A good guide and the right camp location matter more than luck. River crossing sightings are never guaranteed — but with expert guidance, your chances improve dramatically.
At Serengeti Scent Adventures, we plan every itinerary around the migration calendar so you are always in the right place.
