Great Migration Safari: Where the Herds Are, Month by Month
Quick answer
The Great Migration is a year-round loop of more than a million wildebeest plus zebra and gazelle through Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. Calving happens around January to March in the southern Serengeti near Ndutu, Grumeti River crossings in the western corridor around June to July, and the famous Mara River crossings typically July to October in the northern Serengeti (Kogatende) and the Masai Mara. Crossings are unpredictable, so plan at least three to four nights in the right area.
The Great Migration is the largest overland movement of mammals on Earth: more than a million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, circling the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem in search of grazing. It is not a single event but a year-long cycle, and where you should base yourself depends entirely on the month.
This guide maps where the herds usually are, which camps and areas to choose, and how to set realistic expectations for the river crossings.
When is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration happens every month of the year. The herds move clockwise through Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, following the rains, and the two headline moments are calving in January to March and the Mara River crossings from roughly July to October.
The timing below reflects the typical pattern. Every year shifts by a few weeks depending on when and where rain falls, which is why flexibility, and a guide in touch with other camps, matter more than any calendar.
Great Migration month by month
The table shows where the main herds usually are and where we recommend basing yourself to see them.
| Month | Typical herd location | What's happening | Where to base yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Herds graze short-grass plains; calving begins | Ndutu area, southern Serengeti mobile camps |
| February | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu | Peak calving; intense predator action | Ndutu, Kusini, southern mobile camps |
| March | Southern and central Serengeti | Calves strengthen; herds start to move | Ndutu or Seronera (central) |
| April | Central Serengeti moving north-west | Long rains; herds disperse | Central Serengeti (many camps closed) |
| May | Central to western Serengeti | Rut begins; long columns form | Seronera, western corridor |
| June | Western corridor, Grumeti River | Grumeti crossings possible | Grumeti reserves, western corridor |
| July | Western corridor to northern Serengeti; first herds reach Mara | First Mara River crossings | Kogatende (north), Mara conservancies |
| August | Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara | Peak Mara River crossings | Kogatende, Lamai, Masai Mara reserve or conservancies |
| September | Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara | Crossings continue in both directions | Kogatende, Lamai, Masai Mara |
| October | Masai Mara and northern Serengeti | Herds begin drifting south; late crossings | Northern Serengeti, Masai Mara |
| November | Moving south through eastern Serengeti | Short rains; herds on the move | Central and eastern Serengeti, Loliondo |
| December | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu | Herds return to short-grass plains | Ndutu, southern Serengeti |
Patterns are typical, not guaranteed; they vary year to year with rainfall.
When is the best time to see the river crossings?
Mara River crossings typically run from July to October, with August and September usually the most consistent. Grumeti River crossings in the western corridor happen earlier, roughly June to July, and are less frequent but often less crowded.
What river crossings are actually like
Crossings are genuinely unpredictable. Herds can gather on the bank for hours, sometimes days, then turn back without crossing. When a crossing does start, it may last minutes or more than an hour, and it can occur at any of dozens of points along the river. Crocodiles and waiting predators make it dramatic, but there is also a lot of waiting in a vehicle.
Practical implications:
- Stay three to four nights minimum near the river to give yourself several chances.
- Bring patience and snacks: full-day game drives with a picnic lunch are common.
- Expect vehicles at popular crossing points, especially in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Rules on vehicle positioning are tightening, and good guides respect them.
- Herds cross in both directions, so September and October can bring return crossings.
Kenya side or Tanzania side?
In the Masai Mara, crossing points are relatively close to many camps and the area is a short flight from Nairobi. Private conservancies such as Mara North, Olare Motorogi and Naboisho limit vehicles but sit away from the main crossing points, so guests drive into the reserve for crossings, paying the reserve fee of US$200 per day from July to December. In the northern Serengeti around Kogatende and Lamai, there are generally fewer lodges along the river. For a full comparison, see Masai Mara vs Serengeti.
When is calving season, and is it worth it?
Calving season runs about January to March on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the adjoining Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with February usually the peak. It is, in our view, the most underrated time to see the migration.
Hundreds of thousands of calves are born in a few weeks, which draws lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs onto open plains where predation is easy to watch. Ndutu permits off-road driving in parts of the conservation area, which can bring you closer to the action than in the main park. It is also typically less expensive than the July–October peak, and pairs well with the Ngorongoro Crater, where the descent fee is about US$295 per vehicle (fees change; confirm at booking).
What is a mobile migration camp?
A mobile migration camp is a luxury tented camp that physically relocates two or three times a year to stay near the herds. Moving camp avoids the long daily drives a fixed lodge might require when the herds are far away.
Despite the name, the best mobile camps are comfortable: en-suite bathrooms with hot bucket or safari showers, proper beds, good wine and experienced guides. They are typically smaller than permanent lodges, often with 6–12 tents. Common positions are the Ndutu area from December to March, the central or western Serengeti in transition months and the northern Serengeti from about July to October.
Mobile camp or permanent lodge?
Mobile camps maximize proximity to the herds but offer fewer facilities such as pools or spas. Permanent lodges in the northern Serengeti, the Grumeti reserves or Mara conservancies offer more space and amenities, and some sit in prime positions for several months a year. Many itineraries combine both: a few nights in a mobile camp near the herds, then a permanent lodge for comfort.
How much does a Great Migration safari cost?
A luxury migration safari typically costs about US$1,200–2,500 per person per day in the Serengeti and about US$700–1,500+ per person per day in the Masai Mara, with top conservancy camps above US$2,000. Ultra-luxury and private villas in peak season exceed US$3,000 per person per day.
| Cost item | Serengeti (Tanzania) | Masai Mara (Kenya) |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury camp per person per day | ~US$1,200–2,500 | ~US$700–1,500+ |
| Top-tier / conservancy camps | US$3,000+ (peak, private villas) | US$2,000+ |
| Park or reserve fee | ~US$70–83 per adult per 24h entry | US$200/day Jul–Dec; US$100/day Jan–Jun |
| Overnight fee inside park | ~US$60–71 concession per adult per night | Conservancy fees usually bundled into camp rate |
| Getting there | Light aircraft from Arusha or Kilimanjaro | Light aircraft from Nairobi Wilson (~45 min) |
Rates vary by season and change annually; fees change, so confirm at booking. Official Tanzanian park tariffs are published by Tanzania National Parks, and Kenyan fees by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
For a broader breakdown, see our luxury safari cost guide.
What else can you see besides the herds?
The migration draws attention, but the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem holds resident wildlife all year. Even when the herds are elsewhere, you can expect lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and hyenas, and the central Serengeti around Seronera is known for big-cat sightings in every season.
This matters for planning. If your dates fall in a transition month such as April, May or November, a camp in the central Serengeti or a Mara conservancy still delivers excellent game viewing, often at lower rates and with fewer vehicles. Many travelers also combine the migration with the Ngorongoro Crater for black rhino, or with Laikipia in Kenya for rhino, wild dogs and walking.
How should you plan a Great Migration itinerary?
The strongest migration itineraries spend at least six to eight nights in the ecosystem across two areas, so you are covered if the herds move. A typical luxury example in August: three nights in a Mara conservancy, a short hop to the northern Serengeti for three or four nights near Kogatende, then a beach finish in Zanzibar.
Tips that improve your odds
- Book early. River-crossing camps often sell out 9–12 months or more ahead; see how far in advance to book a safari.
- Choose flexibility over a fixed spot when dates are uncertain: a guide willing to drive long days, or a camp with access to multiple crossing points.
- Pack light. Light-aircraft luggage is typically 15–20 kg (33–44 lb) per person in soft-sided bags; check your itinerary.
- Consider a private vehicle so you can wait at a crossing as long as you like. Our private safari guide explains the options.
For country context, read our Tanzania safari guide and Kenya safari guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration happens all year as the herds circle the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem following rain and fresh grass. The two most sought-after events are calving in the southern Serengeti around January to March and the Mara River crossings, usually July to October.
What is the best month to see the Mara River crossing?
August and September are statistically the most reliable months for Mara River crossings, with July and October also often productive. Exact timing shifts with each year's rains, so a multi-night stay near the river is more important than a specific date.
Is the Great Migration better in Kenya or Tanzania?
The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania, so the Serengeti offers migration viewing in more months, including calving season. Kenya's Masai Mara hosts the herds roughly July to October, is quicker to reach from Nairobi and offers private conservancies with fewer vehicles.
Can you guarantee seeing a river crossing?
No. Herds can mass on the bank for hours or days and then turn away, and crossings can happen at any point along many miles of river. Spending three to four nights near the river and staying with an experienced guide gives you the best odds.
What is a mobile migration camp?
Mobile camps are luxury tented camps that relocate two or three times a year to follow the herds, for example from Ndutu in calving season to the northern Serengeti for the crossings. They put you close to the action without long daily drives, while still offering en-suite bathrooms, good food and experienced guides.
How much does a Great Migration safari cost?
A luxury Serengeti migration safari typically runs about US$1,200–2,500 per person per day including camp and fees, rising above US$3,000 for peak-season ultra-luxury and private villas. In the Masai Mara, luxury camps run about US$700–1,500+ per person per day, and top conservancy camps exceed US$2,000.
How far in advance should I book a migration safari?
For river-crossing season, camps near Kogatende and the best Mara conservancy camps often fill 9–12 months or more ahead. Calving season is slightly easier but still benefits from booking 6–9 months out.
Fees, permits and lodge rates quoted are approximate, in US dollars, and change often. Confirm current prices at booking.