People often talk about the Great Migration as if it happens on one day. It doesn't. Around 1.5 million wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, travel in a giant clockwise loop through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem all year, following the rains and the fresh grass. There's always somewhere to see it. The trick is knowing where.
January to March: the calving season
The herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area. In a few weeks, usually peaking in February, the wildebeest give birth to hundreds of thousands of calves — sometimes thousands in a single day. Predators follow: lion, cheetah and hyena are all very active, which makes this one of the best times for dramatic sightings.
April and May: the long rains
The long rains arrive and the herds start moving north-west through the central Serengeti. This is the green season: fewer visitors, lower rates and beautiful landscapes, though some camps close and roads can be muddy.
June and July: the Western Corridor
The herds move through the Western Corridor and must cross the Grumeti River, where large crocodiles wait. Crossings here are smaller than on the Mara, but they're often much quieter, with fewer vehicles.
“A river crossing can take ten minutes or ten hours to begin. Patience is the price of the greatest show on earth.”
July to October: the Mara River crossings
This is the season most people imagine. The herds reach the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in Kenya and cross the Mara River again and again. Crossings are unpredictable — herds can gather on the bank for hours and then turn back. Staying at least three or four nights close to the river, in the northern Serengeti around Kogatende or in the Mara, gives you the best chance.
November and December: the return south
The short rains begin and the herds move back south through the eastern Serengeti towards the calving plains, and the loop starts again. It's a quieter, greener time with good value and very few crowds.
How we plan it
We match each guest's dates to the right part of the ecosystem, then choose small camps — often mobile camps that move with the herds — rather than large lodges. Light aircraft connect the Serengeti and the Mara, so you can follow the migration across the border in one trip.
- For calving and predators: February in Ndutu.
- For river crossings: August and September in the northern Serengeti or Mara.
- Allow three to four nights in the crossing area.
- Book camps 9–12 months ahead for peak season.
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