The Great Wildebeest Migration across Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara is one of the world’s natural wonders – around 1.5 million white-bearded wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, in perpetual motion in search of fresh grass and water. This guide explains where the herds are each month so you can plan and book your migration safari with confidence.

Where is the migration month by month?

January – March: calving season in the south

The herds settle on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti around Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving peaks over a 2–3 week window, usually in February, when roughly 500,000 calves are born – and lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas are never far behind. March is low season with attractive prices; rains begin from mid-March.

April – May: the trek north begins

The long rains set in and the herds start moving north through the Moru Kopjes and Seronera Valley toward the Western Corridor. Roads are muddy and some camps close, but prices are at their lowest.

June – July: Grumeti and the push to the Mara

Herds mass in the Western Corridor, bunching before the Grumeti River crossings. By mid-to-late July the migration typically reaches the northern Serengeti near Kogatende – and the first dramatic, crocodile-infested Mara River crossings begin.

August – September: prime time in the Masai Mara

The herds are in Kenya. These are the best months to watch the migration from the Masai Mara side – and patient visitors have a high chance of witnessing a river crossing. Our 5 Days Masai Mara Migration Safari is timed for exactly this window.

October – December: the return south

By mid-October the herds drift back into the northern Serengeti, moving south through Loliondo with November’s short rains, and arriving on the southeastern short-grass plains by December – in time for the next calving season.

When do the wildebeest cross the Mara River?

The famous Kenya-side river crossings occur from July to October, as herds plunge back and forth through crocodile-infested waters chasing the rains.

Booking tips

Book 6–12 months ahead for the July–September crossing season, stay at least three nights in the migration zone, and consider splitting your stay across areas since herds can be spread out. Ask our experts to match your dates to the herds – or browse our Kenya safaris.