The Great Migration is the largest mass movement of land mammals on Earth, featuring some 1.4 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles. These herds, stalked by predators like big cats and hyenas, circle through the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya.
The wildebeest migration is a continually moving and perpetually active phenomenon; where you go depends very much on when you decide to travel. Following instinct and the scent of moisture, the herds move clockwise from their calving grounds in the lush plains of the southern Serengeti, moving to the northern Serengeti as the plains dry out, and spending the summer and early fall here before heading south again in the fall to repeat the cycle.
The scale of this event, and the encounters between predator and prey, offer an extraordinary and unequalled wildlife spectacle. You can see the Great Migration at any time of year.
The Great Migration flows between Tanzania and Kenya, a distance of some 1,200 miles, and is driven by the pursuit of plentiful grazing grounds and reliable water. Since this is a completely natural process that depends on weather, environmental factors, and the animals themselves, the timing and route are more of an estimation than an itinerary.
Even if you attempt to see the migration when it isn’t following its “normal” pattern due to an unusually dry or wet season, odds are high that you’ll most likely see thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles in any given area.
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Here’s a breakdown of what to expect throughout the year:
Key Times to Witness the Great Migration
January - March: Calving Season in Ndutu Plains
The start of the new year sees the mega-herd congregating for calving season in the rich, fertile Ndutu plains, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast of the Serengeti National Park. The herds congregate on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and westernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
By the middle of January, almost 8,000 calves are being born each day. This is the prime time to see wildebeest and big cats in Tanzania.
Most of the calves arrive in February and March. February is peak calving month, and there’s nothing quite like the sight of hundreds of thousands of newborn wildebeest taking their first steps amid stationary herds.
However, more calves means more predators, and Ndutu is home to some gut-wrenching, awe-inspiring predator action during January and February. You can spot them from the Ndutu and Kusini plains, all the way toward the Ngorongoro Highlands.
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Fun Fact: Within 10 minutes of birth, wildebeest are standing on their feet.
Toward the end of the calving season, the herds are mostly still stationary in the Ndutu-Kusini area, with some animals permeating even further south into Maswa and east in the direction of Namiri Plains (prime predator country, so keep your camera close). This is the last month you’ll be able to witness the massive herds (plus calves) taking it slow on the plains in the Naabi and Kusini areas.
Why Calving Season Is An Untapped Opportunity:
The travel experts I interviewed agreed that calving season is the best time to witness the Great Migration. It is an untapped opportunity since the visitor numbers are the lowest in January and February, along with the prices.
The migrating herds are in the Southern Serengeti from December to March. But February is when over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born within a matter of weeks, along with all other species of the Serengeti.
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"The sight of all baby animals, and how they play and their protective mothers care for them, makes this a magical time to visit," says Guthrie.
When there are so many calves, predators will follow, making February also the best time to see the famous predators of Africa-lions, leopards and cheetahs-in action. They take advantage of the easy hunting opportunities and frequently chase and feed on the newborns.
April - May: The Long Trek North
The end of March brings the ‘long rains’, leaving the ground muddy. April sees the beginning of the year’s ‘long rains’ and, with it, the scattering of the wildebeest herds throughout the Serengeti.
Once the rainy season is over, the south and east plains of the Serengeti dry out, prompting the beginning of the Migration. This usually starts in April or May when herds begin to move north and west, although not always as one cohesive group.
The wildebeest begin their long trek north, through the central area of the park. Starting this month, the wildebeest will continually be on the move, heading north through the Moru Kopjes and toward the Western Corridor.
The mega-herd will split in search of fresh pastures, and by May, the journey north has begun with the ultimate aim of reaching the Mara River. Expect to see huge columns of wildebeest (sometimes up to 40km in length) barrelling their way up the Serengeti.
Dramatic thunderstorms (good to photograph) persist, providing water to the medium-to-tall Pennisetum and Tussocky Themeda grasses that the herds will now be grazing on.
Not all the wildebeest and zebra will follow the same route. Between July and August, the wildebeest move en masse into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, crossing the Mara River in staggering numbers.
June: Grumeti River Region
By June, around a quarter of the wildebeest herd will be in the western Grumeti region facing the Grumeti rivers, the first big obstacle of their journey. The Great Migration is in full swing, travelling swiftly up through the Western Corridor and Grumeti Reserve.
As the long rains fade in May, herds push north through central Serengeti to reach the river by June. The heavy rain and unpredictability of where the herds will turn to next makes this season a challenging one for safari-goers.
July - August: Mara River Crossings
July and August see the start of the wildebeest migration’s big event, with the major river crossings taking place in July as the herds congregate at the Mara River. For wildebeest, the grass really is greener on the other side - of the Mara and Sand rivers, that is.
Thousands of wildebeest fling themselves into the unforgiving waters, where hulking crocodiles lie in wait. River crossings rank among the most sought-after moments of the Great Migration. Crossings are the stuff nature documentaries are made of, and a stay at Sayari means you’re perfectly positioned to catch the action.
However, don’t expect all the action to take place in one day. The wildebeest are easily spooked by real or imagined threats. They fear crossing the river, as they have an inkling that something lurks there.
Patiently waiting near a herd may only produce a puff of dust as they turn on their heels and run away. Or maybe the herd is not ready to cross the river and they are milling around contentedly. But if everything is right, then there is utter and extraordinary chaos as the herd struggles to get to the other side of a major river filled with crocodiles.
In a dry year, the first wildebeest can reach the Mara River (the only decent, permanent source of water in the ecosystem) as soon as early July; in a wet year, it may be as late as mid-August. If conditions are very good-grass and water are plentiful-the herds will spread out all the way from Seronera to the Mara River.
For the most part, herds will cross south to north, drawn by the more nutritious grazing on the northern side thanks to earlier showers. However, some crossings also occur in the opposite direction.
What months are best to see river crossings? The main body of the mega-herd should be in the northern Serengeti, crossing the Mara River and heading into Kenya’s Maasai Mara in July and August, but crossings can begin as early as June and last until October.
September - October: Maasai Mara and Northern Serengeti
September and October are a time of plenty for the wildebeest. River traffic flows in both directions between Kenya and Tanzania in September, though a southerly direction will prevail by the end of the month.
The survivors break up into smaller groups, with some staying in the Maasai Mara and others remaining in the north of the Serengeti with occasional crossings between the Gogatende and Lamai area. The tail end of the herd crosses the river from Kenya down into Tanzania, as thunderstorms begin in the north.
All are looking for fresh grass, but predators abound. This treacherous traverse is one of nature’s greatest and most tragic spectacles, and tens of thousands of animals will die in the attempt.
Before the ‘short rains’ come, the wildebeest are easy to find, huddling around the remaining water holes.
By October, thoughts of migration start again, with the dry season coming to an end. The herds can be found in the Northern Serengeti as well as in Kenya’s Masai Mara.
November - December: Return to the Southern Serengeti
Tanzania’s ‘short rains’ begin in November, greening the short-grass plains of the Serengeti and drawing the herd to graze. Marching ever onward, the herds have largely left the north and are passing through the Lobo region toward the central Serengeti.
From the beginning of November, you can expect the herds to linger around the northern Serengeti regions of Kogatende and Lamai before heading south for the second big migration of the year. Rain is still scarce here, and the nutrition inherent in the grasslands is less than ideal.
Look for long trains of migrating wildebeest travelling at pace to the central Serengeti.
The herds then split, making it difficult to predict where the main group will be. The Great Migration is now dispersed across the central Serengeti, from as far north as Lobo, to the southern reaches of Ndutu. The rains catch up at last with the still-moving herds, and intense thunderstorms and localised showers are experienced across the region.
Later, the herds usually cross back to the Serengeti from the Mara and head towards the now fertile southern Serengeti. The herds travel fast and cover long distances in a single day. The herds congregate on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and northernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
What are the best months to see the wildebeest migration? Both Tanzania and Kenya are year-round safari destinations. But if you’re particularly fixed on the wildebeest migration, the two best months are January - calving season in the Ndutu Plains - and June to catch the early river crossings before peak season kicks in.
Avoiding Overtourism and Ethical Wildlife Viewing
Every year, travelers flock to Kenya in July and August, hoping to witness the Great Migration when over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles and other antelope species migrate between the southern Serengeti and Maasai Mara, chasing fresh grazing land.
However, Maasai Mara National Reserve is overwhelmed during these months, receiving double the park’s intended capacity. This often leads to overcrowded game drives, stressed wildlife and a far less exclusive safari experience than you may have wanted.
David Guthrie, founder of the eco-conscious safari company A Tent With A View, says, “It is dreadful to witness. Hundreds of safari vehicles swarm the Mara River, all competing for the best view of the animals. Some even encroach on the animals' path, blocking them as they prepare to make the dangerous crossing. And many don't survive the leap.”
While many consider the river crossing season the most thrilling part of the Great Migration, Guthrie sees them as a symbol of unsustainable and unethical tourism. "The Great Migration is a year-round phenomenon, and there is a much more incredible-and ethical-time to witness it," he says.
With overcrowding threatening both wildlife and visitor experience, authorities at Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) have already implemented several measures beyond on-the-spot fines.
In June 2024, the Reserve prohibited private vehicles from entering its boundaries. Now, it only permits authorized safari vehicles. As of July 2024, entry fees of MMNR for non-resident visitors were significantly raised from $80 for a 24-hour ticket to $200 for a 12-hour ticket and $400 for a 24-hour ticket.
Meanwhile, the fees for other parks (Ambroseli, Nairobi, Lake Nakuru and Tsavo East/West National Parks) are kept low to hopefully divert traffic there.
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has already hinted at future plans in its Tourism Strategy 2021-2025, including digital ticketing, mandatory advanced booking and a daily cap on visitor numbers.
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