Experience
Witness the Great Migration
1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 500,000 gazelle in a continuous loop across the Serengeti and Masai Mara. The greatest wildlife show on Earth.
What Is It
The World's Largest Land Migration
Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeest make a 1,800-kilometre circular journey across the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems, driven by rain and grass. It is the largest overland migration of mammals on Earth.
There is no single moment called "the migration." It is a year-round movement, and every month offers something different, from calving season on the southern plains to the famous Mara River crossings in the north. The right time to go depends on what you want to see.
Month by Month
Migration Calendar
When
December – March
Where
Ndutu Plains, Southern Serengeti
Event
Calving SeasonDetail
Up to 9,000 calves born every day. Intense predator activity. Best for cheetah and lion sightings.
When
April – May
Where
Central Serengeti
Event
Herds Moving NorthDetail
Long rains begin. Herds consolidate and move toward the northern Serengeti. Fewer tourists.
When
June – July
Where
Northern Serengeti / Grumeti
Event
Grumeti River CrossingsDetail
First major river crossings. Massive crocodiles. Dramatic and less crowded than Mara crossings.
When
July – October
Where
Masai Mara / Mara River
Event
Mara River CrossingsDetail
The iconic crossings. Thousands of wildebeest plunge into the Mara River. Peak season.
When
November
Where
Moving South
Event
Short Rains BeginDetail
Herds follow the short rains south. Transition period. Good value with fewer visitors.