Below, learn more about what is the Great Migration ; find a broad overview of how the migration moves at different times throughout the year ; or read some frequently asked questions about the Great Migration.
Alternatively, use the menu tabs below for detailed information on when to travel including a map of the annual migration , which areas and camps to stay at when on a Great Migration safari , or to view a photo and video gallery of the Great Migration. The Great Migration is the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. The numbers are astonishing: over 1. Guided by survival instinct, each wildebeest will cover to 1,km on its individual journey along age-old migration routes.
The circuit takes the animals from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area although not into the Crater itself in the south of the Serengeti in Tanzania, up through the Serengeti and across into the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again. The journey is beset with danger: young calves are snatched by predators, the slow are brought down by prides of lion, brave beasts break legs on steep river slopes, crocodiles take their share of the stragglers, and the weak and exhausted drown.
The three groups of migrant grazers have different grass-eating habits: as one group eats the top of the tallest grass, the next group will eat away some of the medium-height grass, until finally it is almost completely eaten, and the herds move on. This means each group sticks to their own kind with only a small overlap in their distributions. The grasses of the plains have the highest protein content in the whole of the Serengeti, as well as being high in calcium. It is unclear how the wildebeest know which way to go, but it is generally believed that their journey is dictated primarily by their response to the weather; they follow the rains and the growth of new grass.
While there is no scientific proof of it, some experts believe that the animals react to lightning and thunderstorms in the distance. It has even been suggested that wildebeest can locate rain more than 50km away. Whether the wildebeest are dropping calves or attempting to cross rivers while avoiding predators, the migration is constantly on the move throughout the year.
Read on to learn where the Great Migration tends to be during different times of year, or click on a month below to jump that season of the migration: January, February and March April and May June and July August, September and October November and December.
Around January each year, the migration will be finishing a southward trek, moving along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here the plains are rich in nutritious grass, providing the herds with the best conditions for raising their newborn calves.
Around late January or February , the herds occupy the short-grass plains that spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and around Olduvai Gorge. Some , calves are born here within a period of two to three weeks, or nearly 8, new calves every day.
The abundance of vulnerable young calves means the surrounding predators also spring into action, hunting with ease due to the sheer numbers of wildebeest. Those interested in witnessing calving and the drama of big cats on the hunt should look to Asilia's migration camps in the southern Serengeti which provide direct access: Olakira , Kimondo and Ubuntu. After bearing their young in February and March, around April the wildebeest herds begin to drift northwest toward the fresher grass of the central Serengeti, drawing with them thousands of zebra and smaller groups of antelope.
By May, columns of wildebeest stretch for several kilometres as the animals start to congregate by the Moru Kopjes, close to Dunia Camp , one of the few camps in the Serengeti that offers migration viewing at this time of year.
Mating season begins toward the end of May and male wildebeest battle head-to-head. Throughout 'the rut,' the journey continues at leisure with the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle grazing as they go along. At this time of year , Ubuntu Migration Camp will have relocated to follow the migration and provide access to watch the wildebeest cross the Grumeti River. The herds form in huge numbers along the pools and channels of the river, which they have to cross in order to continue on their journey.
This may not be as spectacular as the famous Mara crossings, but there are still enough wildebeest to provide the Grumeti crocs with a veritable feast. It is worth noting that May is low season at Ubuntu.
Safaris at this time offer great value since there are relatively low numbers of tourists in the Serengeti, yet the wildlife viewings remain excellent.
During June, the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river — the first of many daunting and tense river encounters.
As June moves into July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier: the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. These river crossings are arguably one of the most exciting wildlife events on Earth. Thus, these are the best months to see the migration in the western region of Serengeti. And, in August you can see the Great Migration in northern Serengeti. This is when you may get to see the herds plunging into the crocodile-infested Mara River as they cross into Kenya.
In early September you might catch the last of the herds crossing the Mara River. As they move from Tanzania into Kenya. But, this isn't always the case. They usually linger in north-eastern Serengeti and migrate further south in December.
The timing of the migration does shift from year to year, so check when you are planning your safari. Talk to a safari expert for up to date advice. Calving season in Serengeti. The migration continues at speed in January. But in February the herds slow right down while mothers give birth in southern Serengeti. By March they are on the move again as the young calves gain strength.
At first, the herds move more slowly because their calves are still young. By May the herbivores are speeding up as the young grow stronger.
But, April and May are the peak rainy season months so the road conditions are often poor. Many of the mobiles camps and lodges also close over the rainy season. In early June the herds become more scattered and cover vast distances, crossing the Grumeti River. This is the ideal time for Serengeti Safaris to see young wildebeest, zebras and antelopes. By February the birthing season is usually in full swing. Expect to see newly born calves and even claves being born. The chances of witnessing a predator kill are also high as the big cats take advantage of vulnerable young.
Calving season Serengeti Safari. In the calving or birthing season you'll see baby animals aplenty. Sighting them as they learn new lessons about life on the African savannahs. This is the best time of year in Serengeti to see baby animals feed and prance around in the wild. Observing the bonds between a protective mother and young. You might witness a narrow escape from death. Or catch sight of a predator claiming its young prey in the harsh cycle of nature.
Best time to visit Serengeti Park. It's not just the wildebeest and antelope giving birth at this time of year. You'll also see lion and cheetah cubs, elephant calves and various other baby animals. Cheetah cubs in Serengeti birthing season. Many experienced safari-goers consider the calving season the best time of year for a Serengeti Safari.
Given the intensified wildlife action, baby animals, and lush scenery it's hardly surprising. Gazelle calf in Serengeti Park. This is the peak birthing season in Serengeti when about wildebeest are born, each day!
Along with a plethora of other animals. Calving time in Serengeti Park. The best time for a Serengeti Safari without the crowds is in the rainy season, from late March to April or May and from November to December. Low season Serengeti safaris without crowds. You'll still catch the Great Migration in action but you'll escape the crowds of peak season late June to early September.
There may be little to no rainfall during your Tanzania safari, even in the rainy season! The weather is unpredictable so there can be dry spells at any time of year. Plus, even in the wet months, the rainfall is often limited to scattered afternoon showers that won't ruin your game viewing. Serengeti migration in November. The rainy season is also a great time to find discounted safaris and save on accommodation.
Safari lodges and camps often run fantastic safari specials during the low season which can save you a lot of money. Or you may be able to stay at camps that would otherwise be unaffordable on your travel budget.
In these off-peak months, there are usually discounted safaris and lower accommodation prices on offer. The safari specials and deals are often also available during the shoulder seasons too - just before and after peak safari season June to September in Serengeti. The best time to visit Serengeti National Park for good weather is in the dry season, from June to October. The dry season in Serengeti is also winter. But, the daytime temperatures are usually warm and pleasant.
Unlike peak summer months when it can get very hot and humid. In winter, the temperatures drop in the early mornings and at night, so pack accordingly for your safari. Dry season, peak migration Serengeti safari.
There are two rainy seasons in Tanzania. The 'long rains' from March to May and the 'short rains' in November and December. The short rains are not as heavy as the long rains and are less predictable. Often there are only short afternoon showers that won't ruin your game drives. So, the short rainy season can still be an excellent time of year for Serengeti Safaris.
Even the main, long rainy season can be a good time, depending on the rains in the year you go and the conditions at the specific time you visit.
Rainy season Serengeti Safari. To avoid the wettest time of year in Serengeti, visit outside of the main rainy season from March to May. For the best birdwatching safaris in Serengeti, visit in November and December, or from January to May.
Flamingos on Serengeti Safari in Tanzania. In November many of the migratory bird species fly in and the bird populations swell. The scenery is also very lush and beautiful at this time of year. But, keep in mind that April and May are the wettest months of the year in Serengeti Park. We have detailed the Great Migration below, and this is what usually happens, but keep in mind that there are no guarantees.
The annual migration of two million ungulates, wildebeest but also enormous groups of zebra and Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle and eland, through Serengeti National Park is the greatest wildlife spectacle of its type in Africa, and perhaps the world.
Although variations occur from year to year, the Serengeti migration follows a reasonably predictable annual cycle, dictated by local rainfall patterns. The Great Migration cycle breaks up into the following periods:. We can find the main calving grounds in the area southeast of Seronera: typical Serengeti plains stretch all the way to the Ndutu area near Ngorongoro. Triggering their move to this area are the short rains in November and December. The wildebeest stick around this area until the end of the long rains, end of April, early May.
The delightful news is that this section of Serengeti National Park is easily accessible and that in this period the landscape becomes lush. February is usually calving season in the Ndutu area and the southeastern plains: the very best time to visit this area. As wildebeest, zebra and other ungulates are so many, and give birth to so many calves, the spectacle works as a magnet for predators.
As early as March or April the herd may move again in search of greener pastures. Seeing the actual migration in this period is more difficult, but chances are that you will encounter very large herds on the move.
This is the period that the wildebeest, after having feasted on the short green grasses of the southeastern Serengeti and after having giving birth to their offspring, start getting ready for their kilometer long trek. The actual starting date may be anytime between late April and early June. This is the time to you may have the privilege to see one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world: more than a million marching animals in a column up to 40 kilometers long.
During the migration, the herd will move towards the Western Corridor, where they will face the first major obstacle: crossing the Grumeti River. The herd may congregate on the southern bank of the river and stay there for up to two weeks before crossing the river. When the Grumeti River obstacle has been taken, the herd moves further north and starts crossing the next big hurdle, the Mara River, in July or August.
The Mara River crossing is where so many iconic Great Migration photos have been taken. After this crossing the herd flocks to the northwest plains and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. However, migration patterns show that about half of the herd stays on the Tanzanian side, in the Mara Serengeti area. In this period, smaller herds of wildebeest well consider small… herds may count up to between and thousands of individuals frequently cross the Mara River, back and forth, for no apparent reason.
This is an excellent time to stay at one of the Serengeti Mara camps. Crossing the Mara River northbound means that, at one point, the herd needs to cross the river one more time before commencing the trek back in a southerly direction.
This usually happens in October, but sometimes earlier.
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