The Great Migration in the Serengeti
Where the herds are each month, and how to plan a trip around them.
What is happening out there
More than a million wildebeest, with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, walk a huge loop across the Serengeti and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, following the rain and the fresh grass. It is not one event on one date. It is a slow, constant movement, and lions, hyenas and crocodiles follow it.
Month by month
| Months | Where | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu | Calving season. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born and predators hunt around the herds. |
| April and May | Central Serengeti | The long rains start and the herds drift north-west. Few visitors. |
| June | Western Corridor, Grumeti River | Herds gather at the Grumeti, where crocodiles wait. |
| July to October | Northern Serengeti, Mara River | Large herds cross the Mara River. This is when the famous river scenes happen. |
| November and December | Heading south | The herds return to the southern plains with the short rains. |
Rain decides the timing and it is different every year. Read these ranges as likely, not certain.
Planning tips
- Allow four nights or more in the Serengeti.
- Book six to nine months ahead for July to October and for calving season.
- Sleep in the part of the Serengeti where the herds are, not in the same camp all year.
- A sunrise balloon flight is an optional extra worth considering.
Migration FAQ
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
There is no single best month, because the herds are in the Serengeti all year. January to March is best for calving on the southern plains, June and July for the Western Corridor, and July to October for Mara River crossings in the north.
Is the migration guaranteed?
No. The herds follow rain and grass, so timing and places shift from year to year. We plan your Serengeti nights around where the herds are expected in your month and adjust once we are on the ground.
How many days do I need?
We suggest at least four nights in the Serengeti so we can follow the herds. That is why our 7-day Great Migration safari has four Serengeti nights. Shorter trips still show large herds but leave less room to move.
Which month are you thinking of?
Tell us and we will say where the herds should be and how to plan around them.
Free and without obligation. We answer within 24 hours.