Serengeti’s Great Migration
Everything You Need to Know
The Great Migration is one of the most breathtaking wildlife spectacles in the world, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, move across the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing lands. This annual journey, driven by rain patterns, is full of dramatic river crossings, predator action, and incredible landscapes.
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is a circular movement of herbivores across the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Masai Mara (Kenya). Unlike a one-way journey, the herds follow the rain cycle, ensuring they always have fresh grass to graze.
Month-by-Month Migration Cycle
January – March: Calving Season (Southern Serengeti & Ndutu Plains)
What Happens: Thousands of wildebeest give birth in the Ndutu region, providing a feast for predators like lions and cheetahs.
Best Place to Visit: Southern Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
April – May: Moving Towards the Central Serengeti
What Happens: The long rains begin, and herds start moving north.
Best Place to Visit: Central Serengeti (Seronera)
June – July: The First River Crossings (Western Corridor & Grumeti River)
What Happens: Wildebeest face their first river challenge at the Grumeti River, where crocodiles lie in wait.
Best Place to Visit: Western Serengeti, Grumeti Reserves
August – October: The Iconic Mara River Crossings (Northern Serengeti)
What Happens: One of the most dramatic moments—the Mara River crossing—as wildebeest attempt to survive crocodile-infested waters.
Best Place to Visit: Northern Serengeti, near the Masai Mara border
November – December: Returning to the South
What Happens: The short rains signal the migration’s journey back south to Ndutu.
Best Place to Visit: Eastern and Southern Serengeti
Best Time to See the Great Migration
For Calving Season & Predator Action: January – March
For River Crossings & High Drama: June – October
For Green Landscapes & Fewer Tourists: November – May
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