Every year, around 1.5 million wildebeest, together with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, travel a circular route through the Serengeti and into Kenya's Maasai Mara, following the rains and fresh grass. The migration has no start or finish, and exact timing changes every year with the weather, but the pattern is dependable.
January to March: the southern plains
The herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. Calving peaks in February, with up to half a million calves born in a few weeks. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas hunt the newborns, so predator viewing is superb.
April and May: heading north
As the long rains arrive, the herds leave the southern plains and drift north-west through the central Serengeti, around Seronera and the Moru kopjes. They gather in enormous columns that can stretch for miles. These are low-season months, with fewer vehicles and lower prices.
June and July: the western corridor
In June, the herds approach the Grumeti River in the western corridor, where the first river crossings take place. These crossings are smaller than the Mara River but dramatic, with large crocodiles waiting in the water. By late July, the lead herds are moving into the northern Serengeti.
July to October: the northern Serengeti and the Mara River
This is the season of the famous Mara River crossings. Herds mass on the banks, wait, and then plunge across in thousands, past crocodiles and hippos. Crossings are unpredictable, so patience and an experienced guide matter. The north is remote and much quieter than the south.
November and December: back to the south
The short rains pull the herds south through the eastern Serengeti and Loliondo, and by December they are back on the southern plains, ready for the next calving season.
Tips for planning
- The migration is a movement, not a single event. Staying three nights or more in one area gives you the best chance of seeing the herds.
- River crossings cannot be scheduled. Allow at least two full days beside the Mara River.
- Combine the central Serengeti, with its year-round big cats, with the area where the herds are.
- A fly-in safari saves a day of driving and gives you more time with the animals.
Tell us your travel dates and we will place your camps where the herds are.
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