Choose your month to see where the wildebeest usually are, what to expect and which safari fits.
Over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra follow the rain around the Serengeti all year. Pick your travel month to see where the herds usually are, what you are likely to witness and which safari fits.
Illustrative map, not to scale.
January · Calving begins
Ndutu & Southern Serengeti
Wildebeest spread across the nutrient-rich plains around Ndutu as the first calves arrive. Big cats follow, and open country makes sightings easy.
Safari to consider: 6 Days Ndutu Calving Season Safari – Great Migration from $1,522
February · Calving peak
Ndutu & Southern Serengeti
Thousands of calves are born each day. It is one of the best months of the year for predator action, as lions, cheetahs and hyenas hunt across the plains.
Safari to consider: 6 Days Ndutu Calving Season Safari – Great Migration from $1,522
March · Late calving
Southern Serengeti
Calving winds down and the herds start to gather. Clouds build ahead of the long rains, which makes for dramatic light for photography.
Safari to consider: 6 Days Ndutu Calving Season Safari – Great Migration from $1,522
April · Moving north
Moru Kopjes & Central Serengeti
The long rains arrive and the herds move north-west in long columns. The park turns a vivid green and visitor numbers drop, often along with lodge rates.
Safari to consider: 4 Days Central Serengeti & Great Migration Mid-Range Safari from $1,522
May · The rut
Central Serengeti & Western Corridor
Males fight for mates as the herds pour through the centre of the park and towards the Western Corridor. Some roads can be slow after heavy rain.
Safari to consider: 4 Days Central Serengeti & Great Migration Mid-Range Safari from $1,522
June · Grumeti crossings
Western Corridor & Grumeti River
The dry season starts and the herds reach the Grumeti River, where large crocodiles wait. Crossings here are smaller than the Mara but far less crowded.
Safari to consider: 4 Days Central Serengeti & Great Migration Mid-Range Safari from $1,522
July · Heading north
Grumeti to Northern Serengeti
The herds push north towards Kogatende and the Mara River. The first Mara crossings of the year can happen late in the month.
Safari to consider: 3 Days Great Migration & River Crossing in Serengeti from $1,550
August · Mara crossings
Kogatende & the Mara River
This is the famous spectacle: thousands of wildebeest plunge into the crocodile-filled Mara. It is a peak travel month, so book camps well ahead.
Safari to consider: 9 Days Fly-In Classic Family Migration Safari With Zanzibar Extension All Inclusive from $1,990
September · Mara crossings
Northern Serengeti & the Mara River
Herds cross the Mara in both directions as they chase isolated rain. Patience pays off, and a guide who reads the herd makes all the difference.
Safari to consider: 3 Days Great Migration & River Crossing in Serengeti from $1,550
October · Turning south
Northern Serengeti & Lobo
Short rains begin to draw the herds back into Tanzania. The north stays rewarding, with fewer vehicles than in the August peak.
Safari to consider: 4 Days Central Serengeti & Great Migration Mid-Range Safari from $1,522
November · Moving south
Lobo & Central Serengeti
New grass pulls the herds through Lobo and Seronera. It is a quieter month with good value, and the landscape changes quickly as the rain returns.
Safari to consider: 4 Days Central Serengeti & Great Migration Mid-Range Safari from $1,522
December · Back in the south
Central to Southern Serengeti
The herds settle in the south as the cycle starts again. December pairs beautifully with a beach stay, as Zanzibar is warm and mostly dry from now until February.
Safari to consider: 6 Days Ndutu Calving Season Safari – Great Migration from $1,522
The migration follows the rain, not the calendar. These are typical patterns and timing can shift by several weeks each year. Our guides stay in touch through the season, so tell us your dates and we will advise you on where the herds are moving.
For river crossings, July to October in the northern Serengeti. For calving and predator action, January to March around Ndutu in the south. The herds are in Tanzania for most of the year.
The herds circle the Serengeti ecosystem. They are usually around Ndutu from December to March, in the centre and west from April to June, in the north from July to October, and head back south in November.
No one can. Crossings depend on the herds and the rain, and they can happen in minutes after hours of waiting. Staying several nights near the river gives you the best chance.
Fly-in · Great Migration
From $1,550 per person, group of 2
Mid-range · Great Migration
From $1,522 per person, group of 7
Luxury · Great Migration
From $1,990 per person, group of 7
Mid-range · Great Migration
From $1,522 per person, group of 7
Every great adventure begins with a conversation. Tell us your dates and what you dream of seeing, and a local safari expert will shape an itinerary around you. No pressure, just expert planning.
