The great migration month by month follows rain and fresh grass in a loose clockwise loop: calving on the southern Serengeti plains in January to March, a north-west trek through the central Serengeti in April and May, Grumeti River crossings in June, Mara River crossings from July to October, and a return south in November and December.
The problem is that most guides show a neat arrow on a map, and the herds never read the map. Rains arrive early or late, columns split, and a camp that was perfect last August can be quiet this August. This guide gives you the great migration month by month with honest probabilities, where to base yourself each month, how many days to allow and the trade-offs our Nairobi team weighs when building migration safaris.
Quick Facts
- What moves: roughly 1.3 million wildebeest, about 200,000 zebra and around 400,000 Thomson’s gazelle (WWF estimates; counts fluctuate)
- Where: the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem across northern Tanzania and south-western Kenya
- Calving: late January to early March on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains, peaking in February
- Grumeti River crossings: usually June into early July in the Western Corridor
- Mara River crossings: roughly July to October, most reliably August and September
- Return south: November and December, through the eastern and central Serengeti
- Driven by: rainfall and grazing, so every month is a probability, never a guarantee
What Is the Great Migration and Where Does It Happen?
The Great Migration is the year-round movement of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle around the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, following rain-fed grass between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. It is a continuous circuit rather than a single event, so there is always somewhere to see the herds.
WWF puts the herds at roughly 1.3 million blue wildebeest, about 200,000 plains zebra and around 400,000 Thomson’s gazelle, while noting that populations fluctuate. UNESCO, which inscribed Serengeti National Park as a World Heritage Site in 1981, describes the movement as a circular trek of around 1,000 km. Most of that loop lies in Tanzania; the Masai Mara is the northern tip, where the herds spend the driest months.
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Because the migration is circular, the question is never “when is it on?” but “where is it now, and which part of it do you want to see?” That is exactly what the great migration month by month calendar below answers. For a deeper look at the Tanzanian side, read our Serengeti migration guide.
The Great Migration Month by Month: Where the Herds Are
The great migration month by month pattern runs south in the wet season, north-west as the plains dry, north into Kenya at the height of the dry season, then south again with the short rains. Use the table for a quick overview, then read each month for detail and honest odds.
| Month | Where the herds usually are | Main highlight | Best base |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu plains | Herds gather, early calving | Ndutu or southern Serengeti camps |
| February | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu plains | Peak calving, predator action | Ndutu or southern Serengeti camps |
| March | Southern plains, drifting north-west | Young calves, big herds | Southern or central Serengeti |
| April | Central Serengeti (Seronera, Moru) | Long rains, herds on the move | Central Serengeti |
| May | Central and Western Corridor | Long columns, the rut begins | Central or western Serengeti |
| June | Western Corridor, Grumeti River | Grumeti crossings, crocodiles | Western Corridor camps |
| July | Northern Serengeti, first herds in the Mara | First Mara River crossings | Northern Serengeti or Masai Mara |
| August | Masai Mara and northern Serengeti | Peak Mara River crossings | Masai Mara, Mara Triangle or Kogatende |
| September | Masai Mara and northern Serengeti | Crossings in both directions | Masai Mara or northern Serengeti |
| October | Masai Mara, starting to move south | Late crossings, fewer vehicles | Masai Mara or northern Serengeti |
| November | Northern and eastern Serengeti, heading south | Short rains, herds on the move | Central or eastern Serengeti |
| December | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu | Herds arrive on green plains | Southern Serengeti or Ndutu |
January: the herds return to the southern plains
January opens the great migration month by month cycle with most of the herds on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and around Ndutu, an area inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the Serengeti border. The short rains have turned the plains green, and the grass here is rich in minerals that pregnant females need. Calving usually starts towards the end of the month.
February: peak calving season
February is the heart of calving and the highlight of the great migration month by month calendar for many. Commonly cited estimates put births at several hundred thousand calves, most of them within roughly two to three weeks, when thousands are born each day. Lion, cheetah and hyena hunt among the herds, which is why February is a favourite with photographers who want predator action rather than river drama.
March: calves grow and the herds stay south
In March the herds usually stay on the southern plains while the calves gain strength. Rain becomes more frequent towards the end of the month, and some columns begin edging north-west. It is a good shoulder month in the great migration month by month calendar, with large herds still in place and lodge prices often lower than at the February peak.
April: the long rains and the move north-west
April brings the long rains, and the herds start moving north-west through the central Serengeti around Seronera and the Moru Kopjes. Game viewing can still be excellent, but some roads turn muddy and several seasonal camps close. This is the quietest, lowest-priced stretch of the great migration month by month cycle.
May: long columns and the rut
May is when you may see the famous long columns of wildebeest stretching across the plains of the central and western Serengeti. The rut, or mating season, gets under way, with bulls fighting and calling. Rain usually eases towards the end of the month as the dry season approaches.
June: Grumeti River crossings in the Western Corridor
In the great migration month by month story, June usually finds big herds massing in the Western Corridor along the Grumeti River, where the first river crossings of the year take place. The Grumeti is narrower than the Mara and many crossings happen in pools rather than torrents, but its large crocodiles make every crossing tense. The dry season begins and the rut continues.
July: the first Mara River crossings
July, the busiest month in the great migration month by month calendar, sees the leading herds push into the northern Serengeti and reach the Mara River, as the first groups cross into Kenya’s Masai Mara. Early July crossings are hit and miss; by late July the odds improve sharply. July is also when demand peaks on both sides of the border, so book early.
August: peak river-crossing season
August is the month most people picture when they think of the great migration month by month: herds massed on the Mara River banks, crocodiles waiting and dramatic crossings in both the Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti around Kogatende. Patience still matters, because herds can hover on the bank for hours and turn away.
September: crossings in both directions
In the great migration month by month calendar, September usually has herds spread across both sides of the border, crossing the Mara River back and forth as local storms freshen the grass. It is one of the most reliable months for crossings, and crowds are often a little lighter than in August. See our guide to the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara for more on how the herds behave on the Kenyan side.
October: late crossings and the start of the journey south
October is the transition month of the great migration month by month loop. Many herds are still in the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti, and late crossings continue, but by the end of the month the dry season is ending and columns start drifting south. Vehicle numbers drop, which makes October a quietly excellent month for the Mara.
November: the short rains and the return south
In the great migration month by month cycle, the short rains usually begin in November and the herds move south through the northern, eastern and central Serengeti. The animals are on the move rather than settled, so sightings are less predictable, but green landscapes, migrant birds and lower prices make it good value for flexible travellers.
December: arriving on the green southern plains
December closes the great migration month by month loop: most of the herds have reached the southern Serengeti and Ndutu again, grazing the fresh grass as pregnant females prepare to give birth. The cycle is ready to begin once more, and festive-season demand means southern Serengeti camps fill quickly for Christmas and New Year.
How to read the great migration month by month calendar
Treat each month in the great migration month by month guide as a likely location rather than a promise. In a wet year the herds may linger in the south; in a dry one they may head north early. That is why we plan migration safaris around the herds’ usual range, choose camps that can reach several areas and keep an eye on reports from guides in the field.
When Is the Best Time to See the Great Migration?
Using the great migration month by month calendar, the best time depends on what you want: August and September for Mara River crossings, February for calving and predators, June for Grumeti crossings, and October or March for good sightings with fewer vehicles. There is no single best month, only the best match for your priorities.
Best months for river crossings
For Mara River crossings, aim for August or September, with late July and early October as good shoulder options. Give yourself at least three full days in the crossing area, because the herds decide when to cross. Our guide to the best time to visit the Masai Mara explains how the Mara’s seasons affect sightings and crowds.
Best months for calving and big cats
For calving, February is the strongest stage of the great migration month by month, with late January and early March close behind. The southern plains are open, so predators are easy to see, and the scenery is green. It suits photographers and anyone who has already seen a river crossing and wants the other side of the story.
Best months for value and fewer crowds
For value, look at March, November and early December, when many camps offer lower seasonal rates. April and May are cheapest of all, but you trade price for rain and some closed camps. Our Kenya safari cost guide shows how season changes the price of a trip.
Masai Mara or Serengeti: Which Side Should You Choose?
On the great migration month by month map, the Masai Mara is best from July to October and is quick to reach from Nairobi. The Serengeti hosts the herds for the rest of the year, including calving, so it suits travel from December to June and quieter northern crossings in the dry season.
The Masai Mara is about 275 km from Nairobi, roughly five and a half hours by road, or a short scheduled light-aircraft flight from Wilson Airport. That makes it easy to combine with Amboseli, Lake Nakuru or a beach stay. The Mara Triangle, on the reserve’s western side, borders the Mara River and is a strong base for crossings.
The northern Serengeti around Kogatende sees the same Mara River crossings, often with fewer vehicles, but it is remote and most visitors fly in. If you want to see more than one stage of the migration, a combined Kenya and Tanzania trip can follow the herds across the border. Explore our Tanzania safaris for calving and Serengeti itineraries.
How Many Days Do You Need for a Migration Safari?
Whatever stage of the great migration month by month you choose, allow at least three full days where the herds are, plus travel days. For river crossings, four nights in one area is safer than three. A week lets you add a second park, and ten days allows a Kenya and Tanzania combination.
| Trip length | What fits | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 days | Masai Mara only, by road or flight from Nairobi | Business travellers, short add-ons, tight budgets |
| 5-7 days | Masai Mara plus Lake Nakuru, Naivasha or Amboseli; or Serengeti plus Ngorongoro | First-time safari travellers |
| 8-10 days | Several Serengeti areas, or the Masai Mara with northern Serengeti | Photographers, repeat visitors, keen wildlife watchers |
| 10+ days | Migration safari plus a Zanzibar or Kenya coast beach extension | Honeymooners and families |
Flying versus driving
Driving is cheaper and lets you see the countryside, while flying saves a full day each way and is the practical choice for remote areas such as the northern Serengeti. Many travellers drive to the Masai Mara and fly out, which balances cost and comfort. Our fly-in safaris page shows how that works.
Follow the herds on a Kenya migration safari
Browse our tailor-made Kenya safaris with private vehicles and expert local guides, timed to the great migration month by month calendar so you are in the Masai Mara when the herds are.
Insider Tips
- Book early for July to September: the best-placed camps for crossings fill many months ahead.
- Stay near the river: a camp close to the crossing points saves hours of driving each day.
- Pack a picnic and wait: full-day game drives give you the patience crossings demand.
- Choose a private vehicle: you decide how long to wait at a crossing point, not the group.
- Respect the herds: good guides keep back from the banks so the animals are not blocked or pushed.
- Plan around a window, not a date: the great migration month by month pattern shifts with the rains, so give yourself flexibility.
- Check reserve fees: the Masai Mara charges more in its peak season, so confirm current rates before booking.
Honest Trade-offs: Weather, Crowds and Prices by Season
Every stage of the great migration month by month carries a trade-off between wildlife, weather, crowds and price. Peak crossing months bring the most drama and the most vehicles, the rains bring lower prices and green scenery, and the calving season brings predators but means a long journey to the southern plains.
Crowds at the river
In August, popular crossing points in the Masai Mara can draw many vehicles at once. Staying in a private conservancy, or in the Mara Triangle, often means a calmer experience, and our reserve versus conservancy guide explains the differences. The northern Serengeti is quieter still, though harder to reach.
Weather and road conditions
The long rains in April and May can make some Serengeti roads slow, and a few camps close. The short rains of November usually fall as afternoon showers that rarely spoil a safari. In the dry months from June to October, mornings and evenings on the plains can be chilly, so pack warm layers alongside your lighter clothes.
Prices and park fees
Camp rates rise in July to October and over Christmas, and fall in the wet months. Park and reserve fees also vary by season and change regularly, so always check the latest figures. Our Masai Mara entrance fee guide covers the reserve’s ticket rules in detail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the great migration month by month look like?
The great migration month by month usually runs from the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains between December and March, to the central Serengeti in April and May, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara from July to October. In November the herds head south again. Rainfall shifts these timings each year.
What is the best month to see the Mara River crossing?
August and September are the most reliable months for Mara River crossings, with late July and early October as good shoulder options. Crossings happen in both the Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti around Kogatende. Allow at least three full days near the river, because the herds choose when to cross and can wait on the bank for hours.
When is calving season in the Serengeti?
Calving season in the Serengeti usually runs from late January to early March, peaking in February, on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and around Ndutu. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a few weeks, which draws lion, cheetah and hyena. It is an excellent time for predator sightings and green landscapes.
Is the Masai Mara or the Serengeti better for the migration?
The Masai Mara is better from July to October, when the herds are in Kenya, and it is easy to reach from Nairobi by road or a short flight. The Serengeti is better for the rest of the year, including calving from January to March. The northern Serengeti also offers dry-season crossings, usually with fewer vehicles.
Can you see the great migration in October?
Yes, you can see the great migration in October. Many herds are still in the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti, late river crossings continue, and vehicle numbers are lower than in August. By the end of October the herds usually begin moving south, so early in the month offers the best odds of crossings.
Final Thoughts
The great migration month by month comes down to a simple rule: southern Serengeti calving early in the year, the central and western Serengeti in the green season, and the Mara River from July to October. Pick the stage you most want to see, allow enough days, and book the right camp early.
If the great migration month by month calendar still leaves you torn between months or countries, send us your dates and priorities and we will match you to the best stage of the herds’ journey.
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