The Great Migration: Timing Your Safari in Kenya and Tanzania

Nov 06, 2025 0

The Great Migration is an iconic natural phenomenon, a constant year-long trek involving over two million wildebeest, zebra, and other herbivores. Each year, these animals journey from the southern Serengeti to the lush grasslands of the Masai Mara. The timing of this incredible event depends on environmental factors, weather conditions, and the animals themselves, essentially following the rains.

The wildebeest migration is a continually moving and perpetually active phenomenon; where you go depends very much on when you decide to travel. It is possible to look at historic migration patterns to predict where the herds will be at a particular time, but ultimately these are wild animals and the annual rainfall they rely on to stimulate grass growth is becoming more unpredictable.

The constant year-long migration is an iconic natural phenomenon, the timing of which depends on environmental factors, the weather and of course, the animals themselves. In short, the biggest mammal trek in the world follows the rains.

Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding the best time to witness the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania.

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Wildebeest Migration Map

Month-by-Month Guide to the Great Migration

The following is a month-to-month guide that shows the wildebeest movement between seasons. It is important to remember that this is a natural, fundamentally chaotic occurrence and the herd does not move in one continuous, predictable motion. Sometimes they’ll go forwards, sometimes backwards. The herd's movements also depend greatly on local weather conditions. Particularly dry years can see the wildebeest reach the Mara River in early July in search of water, while a wet year means the herds might be spread out from Seronera all the way to the Mara.

The Great Migration - Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, Crossing Mara River

December/January

The herds congregate on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and westernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Wildebeest begin to gather in the southern plains, from Moru south to Naabi, Kusini and Ndutu. The short grasses here are rich in phosphorus and magnesium due to the volcanic ash of the calcrete layer just below the plains’ shallow soil.
The Southern Plains are lush with fresh, sweet grasses for the wildebeest to graze on.

February: Calving Season

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.
Between late January and mid-March over 80% of fertile female wildebeest drop their calves within a few weeks of each other.
An estimated 500 000 calves are born during a two- to three-week window.
You can spot them from the Ndutu and Kusini plains, all the way toward the Ngorongoro Highlands.

March

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.
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.
Marching ever onward, the herds have largely left the north and are passing through the Lobo region toward the central Serengeti.
Rain is still scarce here, and the nutrition inherent in the grasslands is less than ideal.

April

Starting this month, the wildebeest will continually be on the move, heading north through the Moru Kopjes and toward the Western Corridor.
The wildebeest begin their long trek north, through the central area of the park.
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.

May/June

The Great Migration is in full swing, travelling swiftly up through the Western Corridor and Grumeti Reserve.
As the rains come to an end and the ground dries, the herds start making their way north into the central Serengeti where the grass is still fresh and they can graze and tend their young.
Moving slowly, they graze as they go, making the most of the fresh grass.
Mating season begins and the male wildebeest do fierce battle for a mate.
It’s peak rutting time, as well as the beginning of the dry season, though there are still localised showers in the north.

July

The migration gathers momentum and huge herds of wildebeest can be seen spread out across the Western corridor as they continue the journey north.

August

As the dry season approaches, the wildebeest face the second challenge of their trek: the Great Mara River.

September

For wildebeest, the grass really is greener on the other side - of the Mara and Sand rivers, that is.
Crossings are the stuff nature documentaries are made of, and a stay at Sayari means you’re perfectly positioned to catch the action.
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.
River traffic flows in both directions between Kenya and Tanzania in September, though a southerly direction will prevail by the end of the month.
This treacherous traverse is one of nature’s greatest and most tragic spectacles, and tens of thousands of animals will die in the attempt.

October

The herds can be found in the Northern Serengeti as well as in Kenya’s Masai Mara.
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.

November

The tail end of the herd crosses the river from Kenya down into Tanzania, as thunderstorms begin in the north.

Best Times to See Specific Events

Calving Season (January - March)

The best time for the wildebeest migration calving season is between January to March. The wildebeest calving happens in the Ndutu Conservation Area and south of the Serengeti. After an episode of wildebeest extravaganza in Northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara, they come to Ndutu expectant and ready to give birth. From January to March, more than 500,000 wildebeest calves are born, making it almost 8000+ wildebeest calves born daily.

If you are looking to have an adventure of wildlife activities and big cats hunting, visit between January to March and get immersed deeply. These months are hot and dry, but full of food and water and a conducive environment for wildebeest calving.

A mother wildebeest with its newly born calf.

River Crossings (July - October)

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.

The herds head towards the north of the Serengeti. The herds can be found in the Northern Serengeti as well as in Kenya’s Masai Mara. 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.

When they reach the river, the wildebeest may take days or even weeks to cross.

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Tourists in safari vehicles watching the wildebeests crossing the Mara River in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Maasai Mara (September - October)

The bulk of the herd should be across the border and in Kenya’s Maasai Mara between September and October.

The best time to visit the Masai Mara is for the world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration, from about August to November. Due to varying rainfall patterns, the exact timing varies year to year. However, thanks to its abundant resident wildlife and temperate climate, the Masai Mara is widely regarded as a fantastic year-round safari destination.

Avoiding the Crowds: Ethical Viewing Options

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.

The months that are most frequently mentioned as the best time of year to visit the Great Migration, July to October, are also the busiest months in the Masai Mara. It is safe to say that you won’t have the herds to yourself during these months. You can expect more safari travelers within the Masai Mara National Reserve proper and may have to queue up during safari game drives. For a quieter stay in this period we recommend staying in one of the Masai Mara conservancies.

Here are some ways to avoid contributing to overtourism and disrupting wildlife:

Calving Season: Visit during calving season (February) to witness massive herds with fewer crowds and lower costs.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Opt for hot air balloon safaris for a non-intrusive perspective.
Mobile Safaris: Choose mobile safaris for a more immersive experience, staying close to the wildlife while avoiding overtourism.
Alternative Locations: Explore alternative locations like the Grumeti River Game Reserve in Tanzania or the Loita Hills in Kenya.

Overtourism and Conservation Efforts

Maasai Mara National Reserve is overwhelmed during peak 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.

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.

Choose ethical wildlife viewing options that prioritize conservation, respect animal behavior, and support sustainable tourism. There is no single time of year to see the Great Migration since it is an eternal annual cycle from place to place, year in and year out. However, depending on either the aspect of the Great Migration you want to witness (such as river crossings), or the time of year that you prefer to travel, your safari can be tailored to give you the best chance of seeing what you desire.

Month	Location	Activity
Dec/Jan	Southern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area	Herds gather, lush grasslands
February	Ndutu and Kusini plains, Ngorongoro Highlands	Calving season
March	Ndutu-Kusini area, moving north	Herds slowly moving north
April	Central Serengeti, moving towards Western Corridor	Migration in full swing
May/June	Western Corridor, Grumeti Reserve	Rutting season, dry season begins
July	Western Corridor	Migration gathers momentum
August	Approaching Mara River	Preparing for river crossings
September	Mara and Sand Rivers (Kenya/Tanzania border)	River crossings
October	Northern Serengeti, Masai Mara	Herds in Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
November	Moving south from Kenya to Tanzania	Tail end of herd crossing