Quick answer
Reviewed · 4 min read
The Great Migration is the year-round movement of well over a million wildebeest, with zebra and gazelle, around Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara as the herds follow the rains. Calving happens in the southern Serengeti around late January and February, and the dramatic Mara River crossings typically take place from about July to October. Timing shifts every year.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Where
- Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya)
- Calving season
- About late January–February
- River crossings
- Typically about July–October
- Book
- 9–12+ months ahead for July–September
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is a continuous, roughly circular movement of well over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, through the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The herds follow rain and fresh grass, and predators follow the herds.
It isn’t a single event on a single date. Something is always happening somewhere in the ecosystem; the question is where the herds are likely to be during your travel dates, and choosing camps to match.
When is calving season in the Serengeti?
From around December to March, the herds settle on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving typically peaks from late January into February, when huge numbers of calves are born within a few weeks.
It’s a spectacular and underrated time to go: lions, cheetahs and hyenas are extremely active, the plains are green, and there are fewer visitors than at the river crossings. Seasonal mobile camps move into the area to be close to the action.
When do the Mara River crossings happen?
The crossings, when herds plunge into the crocodile-filled Mara River, typically happen from about July to October in the northern Serengeti around Kogatende and in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. August and September are often the peak, and herds may cross back and forth many times.
Crossings can’t be scheduled. Herds may gather on the bank for hours and then turn away, so patience is part of the experience. Staying three or four nights near the river improves your odds, and experienced guides read the herds’ behavior to put you in the right place.
Should you see the migration in Kenya or Tanzania?
Tanzania hosts the herds for most of the year, so it offers migration viewing in almost every month, including calving season. Kenya’s Maasai Mara is smaller and easier to reach, with excellent big-cat viewing year-round, and typically hosts the herds from about July or August to October.
In Kenya, private conservancies bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve limit vehicle numbers and allow night drives and walks, which makes a real difference in peak season. Many travelers combine both countries; see our Kenya vs Tanzania comparison.
How do you plan a Great Migration safari?
Timing is everything, so build the itinerary around where the herds are likely to be.
- Book early: camps near the Mara River fill 9 to 12 months or more ahead for July to September.
- Choose camps by month: mobile camps follow the herds; permanent camps suit certain seasons best.
- Stay longer: three or four nights in each area gives you the best chance of a crossing or a hunt.
- Fly between areas: light aircraft link the Serengeti’s regions and the Mara, saving long drives.
- Add a contrast: the Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar or a gorilla trek in Rwanda round out the trip.
The Great Migration month by month
December–March
Southern Serengeti · Ndutu
Herds graze the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving peaks around late January to February, drawing predators.
ExploreApril–May
Central Serengeti
The long rains arrive and the herds start moving north and west. Some camps close; those open offer green-season value.
June
Western Corridor
Herds mass in the Western Corridor, where Grumeti River crossings and their crocodiles can be dramatic.
July
Northern Serengeti
The leading herds reach the northern Serengeti, and the first Mara River crossings often begin.
August–September
Mara River · Maasai Mara
Often the peak of crossing season, with big herds spread across Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the northern Serengeti.
ExploreOctober
Northern Serengeti · Mara
Crossings continue as the herds begin to turn south, usually with fewer visitors than in August.
November
Eastern and central Serengeti
The short rains draw the herds south through the eastern and central Serengeti, toward the southern plains.
Frequently asked questions
What month is best to see the Great Migration?
Where does the Great Migration happen?
Can you guarantee seeing a river crossing?
Is the Great Migration better in Kenya or Tanzania?
How far in advance should I book a migration safari?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.