Great Migration Calendar

Great Migration Calendar

Great Migration Calendar: Wildebeest Migration Month by Month

The Great Migration Calendar is one of the most useful planning tools for travellers deciding when and where to see the annual wildebeest migration across the Serengeti–Masai Mara ecosystem. Related planning topics include wildebeest migration calendar and Great Migration month by month.

The migration is a year-round wildlife movement. It does not begin in July and end in October, and it is not limited to the Masai Mara. Instead, vast herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move through different parts of Tanzania and Kenya throughout the year in response to rainfall, fresh grass and water availability.

The most important thing to understand is that the migration calendar is approximate. The animals do not follow exact dates. Rainfall may arrive early or late, herd movement may be faster or slower than expected, and different groups may occupy different regions at the same time. The calendar should therefore be used to answer a broader question: Which migration region is usually best for my month of travel? For example:

• January and February generally favour Ndutu and southern Serengeti.
• May and June usually favour central and western Serengeti.
• July to October usually favour northern Serengeti and Masai Mara.
• November and December generally mark the southward return through the Serengeti.

This page provides a detailed month-by-month guide to the migration cycle, the likely location of the herds, expected wildlife highlights, river-crossing possibilities and recommended safari regions.

Great Migration Calendar at a Glance

These are typical seasonal patterns rather than guaranteed herd positions.

How to Use the Great Migration Calendar

A migration calendar should be used alongside:

• your travel month,
• expected rainfall,
• current field reports,
• preferred safari style,
• and the number of days available.

The calendar can help determine:

• Which country to visit
• Which part of the Serengeti to use
• Whether Masai Mara is appropriate
• Whether river crossings are realistic
• Whether calving is the better objective
• Which camps are seasonally well positioned

It should not be used to predict an exact crossing date.

January Great Migration

Typical Location

Southern Serengeti and Ndutu

January usually places large migration herds across the short-grass plains of southern Serengeti and the broader Ndutu region. Seasonal rainfall creates fresh grazing that attracts enormous numbers of wildebeest. This is one of the best periods for seeing:

• Dense herds
• Pregnant wildebeest
• Early newborn calves
• Zebra concentrations
• Lions
• Cheetahs
• Hyenas
• Jackals

Migration Character

The herds are generally more settled than during long-distance movement months. Rather than travelling in long columns, they may spread across extensive feeding grounds.

Best Safari Areas

• Ndutu
• Southern Serengeti
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area plains
• Lake Masek area

Is January Good for Kenya?

Not for the main migration. Masai Mara remains excellent for resident wildlife, but the major migrating wildebeest are generally in Tanzania.

Best For

• Calving season preparation
• Predator photography
• Fewer northern migration crowds
• Green-season scenery

February Great Migration

Typical Location

Ndutu and Southern Serengeti

February is traditionally one of the most important migration months because it is strongly associated with wildebeest calving. Large numbers of calves can be born over a relatively short period.

Why February Is Special

The calving event creates extraordinary predator activity. Travellers may see:

• Lion prides following herds
• Cheetahs hunting vulnerable young animals
• Hyenas taking calves
• Jackals scavenging
• Large numbers of vultures

Main Safari Experience

February is not about Mara River crossings. It is about:

• birth,
• open plains,
• predator-prey interaction,
• and enormous concentrations of animals.

Best Safari Areas

• Ndutu
• Southern Serengeti
• Short-grass plains
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Best For

• Calving safaris
• Wildlife photographers
• Predator enthusiasts
• Repeat safari travellers

March Great Migration

Typical Location

Southern Serengeti moving toward Central Serengeti

March is a transition month. Some herds remain in the southern plains, while others begin spreading northward. Calves born earlier in the season are now stronger and increasingly mobile.

Migration Experience

Visitors may see:

• Mixed herds with young calves
• Increasing northward movement
• Predator activity
• Green landscapes
• Dramatic weather

Best Safari Areas

• Ndutu
• Southern Serengeti
• Central Serengeti transition zones

Is March Good for Migration?

Yes, particularly for travellers interested in the transition out of calving season. The herds may be more dispersed than in February.

April Great Migration

Typical Location

Central Serengeti

April often coincides with wetter conditions. Large herds may move through central areas as they gradually progress north and west.

Why April Is Interesting

April can provide:

• Lush landscapes
• Lower visitor numbers
• Excellent resident wildlife
• Large moving herds
• Dramatic skies

The migration is often less concentrated than during peak calving or northern crossing periods.

Best Safari Areas

• Central Serengeti
• Seronera
• Surrounding plains

Best For

• Travellers comfortable with variable weather
• Photography
• Lower-density safari experiences

May Great Migration

Typical Location

Central and Western Serengeti

May often marks increasingly visible long-distance herd movement, and the migration begins shifting strongly toward the western corridor.

Main Experiences

Travellers may witness:

• Huge columns of wildebeest
• Herds stretching across the plains
• Zebra concentrations
• Lions and hyenas following migrating animals
• Increased directional movement

Best Safari Areas

• Central Serengeti
• Western Serengeti
• Western Corridor

Why May Is Underrated

May receives less attention than July or August, but it can be one of the best periods for seeing the migration as a genuine mass movement rather than only waiting for river crossings.

June Great Migration

Typical Location

Western Corridor, Grumeti and northward migration routes

June is an important transitional month. Herds may be spread across western Serengeti while some begin moving toward northern Serengeti.

Grumeti River

The Grumeti region becomes particularly important. Crossings may occur, although they are generally less concentrated than the famous Mara River events.

Main Safari Experiences

• Large moving herds
• Grumeti River activity
• Crocodiles
• Predator sightings
• Drying landscapes
• Beginning of northern migration

Best Safari Areas

• Western Serengeti
• Grumeti region
• Central-to-northern transition areas

Is June Good for Masai Mara?

Usually too early for the largest migration concentrations in Kenya, although resident wildlife remains excellent.

July Great Migration

Typical Location

Northern Serengeti and potentially Masai Mara

July is one of the most exciting months because the migration begins entering the northern ecosystem. Large numbers of wildebeest may approach or cross the Mara River.

July Migration Conditions

The month can be variable. Some herds may be:

• Still moving through northern Serengeti
• Concentrated near the Mara River
• Beginning to enter the Masai Mara
• Spread across both countries

Best Safari Areas

• Northern Serengeti
• Kogatende
• Lamai
• Masai Mara
• Mara River zones

River Crossing Potential

Good, but not guaranteed.

Best Strategy

Travellers who can combine Kenya and Tanzania may gain greater flexibility because herd positions can be split across the northern ecosystem.

August Great Migration

Typical Location

Masai Mara and Northern Serengeti

August is one of the classic Great Migration months. Large herds may be spread across both Kenya and Tanzania.

Why August Is Famous

The month is strongly associated with:

• Mara River crossings
• Dense wildebeest herds
• Zebra concentrations
• Lions following the migration
• Crocodile activity
• Dry-season wildlife viewing

Best Safari Areas

• Masai Mara National Reserve
• Mara Triangle
• Northern Serengeti
• Kogatende
• Mara River areas

Is August the Best Month?

For many travellers, yes, particularly if the objective is northern migration and river-crossing possibilities. However, it is also one of the busiest and most expensive safari periods.

September Great Migration

Typical Location

Masai Mara and Northern Serengeti

September is often one of the strongest migration months in the northern ecosystem. Large herds may remain in Kenya, Tanzania or both.

Migration Behaviour

The animals can move repeatedly between grazing areas, and some may cross the Mara River multiple times.

Main Safari Highlights

• Large herd concentrations
• River-crossing possibilities
• Excellent lion sightings
• Cheetah activity
• Hyenas
• Crocodiles
• Dry-season game viewing

Best Safari Areas

• Masai Mara
• Mara Triangle
• Northern Serengeti
• Mara River

Best For

• Photographers
• First-time migration travellers
• Kenya–Tanzania combinations

October Great Migration

Typical Location

Masai Mara, Northern Serengeti and beginning of southward movement

October is a transition month. Some herds may remain in Kenya, while others begin moving toward Tanzania.

Why October Can Be Excellent

Travellers can still enjoy:

• Wildebeest concentrations
• Predator activity
• Possible crossings
• Excellent Masai Mara game viewing

Main Risk

The migration may begin shifting south earlier or later depending on rainfall. October requires greater flexibility than August or September.

Best Safari Areas

• Masai Mara
• Northern Serengeti
• Southward migration corridors

November Great Migration

Typical Location

Eastern and Central Serengeti

Short rains often begin influencing herd movement southward. The majority of migration-focused travellers should usually return their attention to Tanzania.

Main Safari Experience

November may include:

• Southbound wildebeest columns
• Greenening landscapes
• Scattered large herds
• Predator activity
• Fewer peak-season crowds

Best Safari Areas

• Eastern Serengeti
• Central Serengeti
• Transitional southern routes

Is November Good for Masai Mara?

Masai Mara remains an excellent safari destination, but it is generally no longer the main focus for migrating wildebeest.

December Great Migration

Typical Location

Central to Southern Serengeti

The herds increasingly move toward the southern plains. By late December, significant numbers may be approaching the Ndutu and calving areas.

Main Migration Experience

• Southward movement
• Herds settling into southern plains
• Pregnant females
• Increasing predator activity

Best Safari Areas

• Central Serengeti
• Southern Serengeti
• Ndutu

December marks the transition toward the next calving cycle.

Best Great Migration Month by Safari Interest

Different months are best for different experiences.

Best for Calving

January to March. Strongest focus:

• Ndutu
• Southern Serengeti

Best for Predator Action Around Calves

February

Best for Mass Movement

May and June

Best for Grumeti River

May to July

Best for Northern Migration

July to October

Best for Mara River Crossings

July to October

Best for Masai Mara Migration

July to October

Best for Kenya–Tanzania Combination

July to October

Best for Southward Return

October to December

Great Migration Calendar for Kenya

Kenya's migration calendar is much shorter than Tanzania's because only the northern phase reaches the Masai Mara. A simplified Kenya calendar is:

The Masai Mara remains an excellent year-round wildlife destination even when the major migration herds are absent.

Great Migration Calendar for Tanzania

Tanzania contains most of the annual migration circuit. A simplified Tanzania calendar is:

Great Migration Calendar for River Crossings

River crossings are among the most requested migration experiences.

Grumeti River

Typical planning period: May to July

Mara River

Typical planning period: July to October

The Mara River is particularly famous because crossings can involve very large numbers of wildebeest. However, neither river crossing can be guaranteed.

Great Migration Calendar for Calving

The calving phase generally occurs from January to March, with February traditionally regarded as a peak period. The main regions are:

• Ndutu
• Southern Serengeti
• Ngorongoro plains

This period is especially attractive for photographers and predator enthusiasts.

Great Migration Calendar for Photographers

Photography priorities should influence month selection.

January–February

Best for:

• Calves
• Predator action
• Green landscapes

May–June

Best for:

• Long moving columns
• Dust and movement
• Western Serengeti

August–September

Best for:

• Mara River crossings
• Massive herds
• Predators
• Dry-season landscapes

November

Best for:

• Green-season return movement
• Lower visitor numbers

Great Migration Calendar for Families

Families should prioritize predictable logistics rather than trying to chase the migration too aggressively. Good family options include:

February

Base in Ndutu for several nights.

August

Base in Masai Mara for 4–5 nights.

September

Masai Mara or a Kenya–Tanzania combination for older children.

A private safari vehicle is highly recommended.

Great Migration Calendar for Honeymoons

Popular honeymoon timing includes:

February

Ndutu + Ngorongoro + Zanzibar

August

Masai Mara + Diani Beach

September

Masai Mara + Northern Serengeti + Zanzibar

The migration season can be combined with luxurious tented camps and beach extensions.

Great Migration Calendar for Budget Safaris

Budget travellers should consider both migration position and seasonality. Peak migration months often have higher rates, so travellers wanting better value may consider:

• March
• April
• May
• November

These months can still provide significant migration activity in Tanzania while sometimes offering lower accommodation demand.

Great Migration Calendar for Luxury Safaris

Luxury travellers can use seasonal camps positioned close to expected herd movements. A high-end year-round migration strategy could be:

• Jan–Mar: Ndutu / Southern Serengeti
• Apr–Jun: Central / Western Serengeti
• Jul–Oct: Northern Serengeti / Masai Mara
• Nov–Dec: Central / Southern Serengeti

Private flights can reduce transfer times.

Great Migration Calendar vs Great Migration Map

The two tools answer different questions.

Great Migration Calendar

Answers: When should I travel?

Great Migration Map

Answers: Where are the herds likely to be?

Used together, they provide a much stronger safari-planning tool. For example:

• September + Map = Masai Mara and Northern Serengeti
• February + Map = Ndutu and Southern Serengeti

Great Migration Calendar vs Best Time to Visit

The migration calendar explains the annual movement. The Best Time for Wildebeest Migration guide should go deeper into:

• weather,
• crowds,
• safari cost,
• river-crossing probability,
• calving,
• photography,
• and travel style.

These pages should therefore link heavily to each other.

Is There One Best Month for the Great Migration?

No. The best month depends on your objective. Choose:

• February for calving.
• May–June for mass movement and western Serengeti.
• August–September for northern migration and river-crossing possibilities.
• November for southward movement and lower visitor density.

A traveller interested in newborn calves and a traveller interested in Mara River crossings should not book the same month.

Best Month for Masai Mara Migration

For Kenya specifically, the strongest planning window is generally July to October, with August and September traditionally among the most reliable months for large herd concentrations. However, rainfall can shift timing.

Best Month for Mara River Crossings

There is no exact crossing month that can be guaranteed. The broad window is July to October. August and September are particularly popular because large numbers of wildebeest may be present in the northern ecosystem.

Best Month for Wildebeest Calving

February is traditionally the strongest single month for calving. However, births can begin before February and continue afterward. The broader planning window is January to March.

Great Migration Calendar and Weather

Weather is one of the main reasons the migration changes. Rainfall influences:

• Fresh grass
• Water availability
• Herd direction
• Length of stay in a region

The same calendar month can therefore look different in two different years.

Great Migration Calendar and Rainfall

The migration responds to both major and local rainfall patterns. A storm several kilometres away can create new grazing and attract animals, which means individual herds can shift quickly. Rainfall can:

• Delay northward movement
• Trigger early movement
• Split herds
• Pull animals away from expected routes
• Influence how long animals remain in Kenya

Great Migration Calendar and Crowds

Visitor numbers vary throughout the year.

Highest Demand

Usually July, August and September, especially around:

• Masai Mara
• Northern Serengeti
• Mara River

Lower-Density Periods

Potentially April, May and November. These periods can suit travellers who prioritize quieter safaris.

Great Migration Calendar and Safari Prices

Pricing generally rises when demand is strongest. Peak rates often occur during:

• Northern migration
• Major holiday periods
• High-demand river-crossing months

Shoulder or green-season months may offer more attractive accommodation rates. However, the cheapest month is not necessarily the best month for your wildlife objective.

Great Migration Calendar and Mobile Camps

Seasonal migration camps can move according to expected herd locations. For example, some may operate:

• Southern Serengeti in calving season
• Northern Serengeti in crossing season

Travellers should confirm a camp's exact seasonal location before booking. Do not assume the same camp name means the same geographic position throughout the year.

Great Migration Calendar and Safari Duration

The more unpredictable the wildlife event, the more time you should allow. General recommendations:

A longer stay improves flexibility but still does not guarantee a specific crossing.

Great Migration Calendar and Road Safaris

Road safaris work especially well when migration areas can be combined naturally with other parks. Examples:

Kenya

Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru + Amboseli

Tanzania

Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Tarangire

The monthly migration position should determine where most safari nights are spent.

Great Migration Calendar and Fly-In Safaris

Fly-in safaris are useful when the migration is far from major road gateways. They can reduce travel time between:

• Nairobi and Masai Mara
• Arusha and Serengeti
• Northern and southern Serengeti regions
• Safari areas and Indian Ocean beaches

They are particularly useful for high-end and time-sensitive itineraries.

Great Migration Calendar for Kenya-Only Safaris

A Kenya-only migration safari should normally be planned for July, August, September or October. If travelling outside these months, the Masai Mara is still excellent, but the safari should be marketed as a general wildlife safari rather than a guaranteed migration safari.

Great Migration Calendar for Kenya–Tanzania Safaris

For travellers wanting to combine the two countries specifically around the northern migration, consider July through October. This can provide access to:

• Masai Mara
• Northern Serengeti
• Mara River
• Ngorongoro or central Serengeti extensions

The exact balance between Kenya and Tanzania should depend on the month.

Great Migration Calendar for Tanzania-Only Safaris

Tanzania provides migration possibilities throughout the year. A Tanzania-only itinerary can be built around:

• Calving
• Central migration
• Western migration
• Northern crossings
• Southward return

This makes Tanzania particularly flexible for travellers whose dates are fixed outside Kenya's migration season.

When Should You Book?

For peak migration travel, early booking is recommended. Particularly important months are:

• July
• August
• September

Book early if you want:

• River-area camps
• Small luxury camps
• Family rooms
• Private safari vehicles
• Balloon safaris
• Scheduled flights

Common Great Migration Calendar Mistakes

Mistake 1: Treating Dates as Fixed

The migration is controlled by nature.

Mistake 2: Assuming August Is the Only Good Month

Different months offer different wildlife experiences.

Mistake 3: Booking Kenya in February for Migration

The main herds are generally in Tanzania.

Mistake 4: Booking Ndutu in September for the Main Herds

The migration is usually far north.

Mistake 5: Expecting a River Crossing Every Day

Crossings are unpredictable.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Travel Time

The ecosystem is enormous.

Mistake 7: Staying Too Few Nights

One or two nights provide limited flexibility.

How to Choose Your Great Migration Month

Use this simple process:

Choose January–March if:

You want:

• Calving
• Young wildebeest
• Predator activity
• Green landscapes

Choose April–June if:

You want:

• Fewer crowds
• Northward movement
• Western Serengeti
• Grumeti region

Choose July–October if:

You want:

• Northern migration
• Masai Mara
• Northern Serengeti
• Mara River crossings

Choose November–December if:

You want:

• Southward return
• Green-season landscapes
• Tanzania migration
• Lower peak-season pressure

Great Migration Calendar FAQs

Related Great Migration Guides

This page should link naturally to:

• Great Wildebeest Migration
• Wildebeest Migration Kenya
• Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration
• Great Migration Safari
• Kenya Migration Safari
• Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages
• Great Migration Tours
• Kenya Tanzania Great Migration
• Great Migration Route
• Great Migration Map
• Best Time for Wildebeest Migration
• Best Month for Wildebeest Migration
• Where to See Great Migration
• Great Migration Safari Cost

Use only the approved URLs from the sitemap when implementing these links.

Plan Your Safari Using the Great Migration Calendar

The Great Migration Calendar should be the starting point for deciding where your migration safari should go. Safari Trips to Kenya can build the itinerary around:

• Your exact travel dates
• Number of safari days
• Kenya, Tanzania or both
• Preferred accommodation level
• Budget
• Road or fly-in preference
• River-crossing priority
• Calving priority
• Photography requirements
• Family requirements
• Honeymoon requirements
• Beach extension