Every year approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebra and 500,000 gazelle complete a continuous circular migration across the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. It is the largest overland animal migration on Earth and witnessing it is one of the most extraordinary experiences available to any traveller.
What is the Great Migration?
The migration is not a single event but a year-round continuous movement. The wildebeest follow the rains in a clockwise loop — always moving towards fresh grass and water. This means the migration looks very different depending on when you visit.
There is no bad time to see the migration. But some periods offer more dramatic sightings than others.
Month by Month Guide
January — February: The Calving Season The southern Serengeti — particularly the Ndutu area — hosts the greatest concentration of wildebeest during calving season. Around 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every day during peak calving. This draws enormous numbers of predators — lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas hunting the newborns and their mothers. January and February offer some of the most intense predator-prey interactions of the entire year.
March — May: The Long Rains The herds begin moving northwest following the rains. Predator activity remains very high. This is the low season with fewer tourists and lower prices. Some areas become difficult to access during heavy rains.
June — July: The Western Corridor The migration reaches the western Serengeti and begins crossing the Grumeti River. Enormous crocodiles lurk in the river waiting for the crossing. June and July in the western corridor can produce dramatic river crossings that rival the famous Mara crossings.
August — October: The Mara River Crossings This is the moment most people associate with the Great Migration. The herds cross the Mara River into Kenya and back again repeatedly. The crossings are completely unpredictable — the wildebeest may wait for days at the riverbank before suddenly stampeding into the crocodile-filled water. August to October in the northern Serengeti offers the best chance of witnessing this dramatic spectacle.
November — December: The Return South The herds begin their return south following the short rains. The northern and central Serengeti has excellent wildlife viewing as the animals pass through.
The Mara River Crossing — Africa's Greatest Drama
The Mara River crossings are the most dramatic wildlife event on Earth. Tens of thousands of wildebeest arrive at the riverbank and mill around nervously. Then suddenly — triggered by some invisible signal — they stampede into the water. Enormous Nile crocodiles launch themselves from the banks. The noise, the dust and the chaos are overwhelming.
Some crossings are over in minutes. Others last for hours. A crossing can happen multiple times per day or not at all for a week. The unpredictability is part of what makes it so thrilling.
Combining the Serengeti with Zanzibar
The most popular Tanzania itinerary among international travellers combines a Serengeti safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday. The contrast is extraordinary — from the vast dusty plains teeming with wildlife to the turquoise Indian Ocean and white sand beaches in a single trip.
Flying between Zanzibar and the Serengeti takes approximately one hour. We offer fly packages that combine both destinations seamlessly.
Practical Information
The Serengeti is accessed from Arusha in northern Tanzania. The best way to experience it is in a 4WD safari vehicle with an expert guide who knows the terrain and animal behaviour patterns.
We offer Serengeti safaris ranging from 4 to 7 days combining the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Contact our team on WhatsApp at +255 688 686 983 to plan your perfect Serengeti safari.
HuShop Team
Paje, Zanzibar · Travel writers & local experts