Wildebeest migration river crossing

Definitive Guide

The Great Migration
Month by Month

The Great Migration is Earth's largest terrestrial wildlife movement — 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra circling between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara in a continuous, year-round loop driven by rainfall. There is no start or end point, and the timing shifts each year. This guide tracks the herds month by month so you can plan your safari around the phase that interests you most.

12-month tracker

Where Are the Herds Right Now?

January

Southern Serengeti

Calving season begins. 8,000 wildebeest calves born daily. Predator action at its peak.

Best areas: Ndutu area, southern Serengeti plains

February

Southern Serengeti

Peak calving. Over 500,000 calves born in a 3-week window. Cheetah and lion hunting at its most dramatic.

Best areas: Ndutu, Lake Masek, Kusini

March

Central Serengeti

Herds begin moving north as southern grass is depleted. Long rains start. Green season rates.

Best areas: Seronera, Moru Kopjes

April

Central Serengeti

Long rains. Many camps offer 30–40% discounts. Herds spread across central Serengeti.

Best areas: Central Serengeti (Seronera), western corridor starts

May

Western Corridor

Herds move into the western corridor toward the Grumeti River. Green season ends.

Best areas: Grumeti Reserves, western Serengeti

June

Western Corridor / Grumeti

First river crossings at the Grumeti River. Massive Nile crocodiles await. Herds begin aggregating.

Best areas: Grumeti River area, Kirawira

July

Northern Serengeti / Mara

The great march north begins. Herds gather at the Mara River. First major crossings.

Best areas: Kogatende (northern Serengeti), Lamai

August

Northern Serengeti / Masai Mara

Peak river crossing season. This is the iconic photograph — thousands of wildebeest plunging into crocodile-infested waters.

Best areas: Mara River crossings (both sides), Kogatende

September

Masai Mara / Northern Serengeti

River crossings continue. Herds spread across the Mara. Peak season for both Serengeti and Masai Mara.

Best areas: Masai Mara (Mara Triangle), northern Serengeti

October

Masai Mara / Loliondo

Herds begin returning south. Late crossings still possible. Excellent value as crowds thin.

Best areas: Masai Mara, Loliondo, Lamai Wedge

November

Central Serengeti

Short rains begin. Herds move rapidly south through the eastern Serengeti. Transition period.

Best areas: Central and eastern Serengeti

December

Southern Serengeti

Herds arrive on the short-grass plains. Grazing on mineral-rich volcanic soil. Calving begins late December.

Best areas: Ndutu, southern Serengeti plains

Serengeti Side

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Mara Side

Kenya Safari Tours

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