The Great Migration: Complete Route & Timing Guide
Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 500,000 gazelle — the world's greatest wildlife show explained month by month.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest land-animal migration on earth — 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 500,000 Thomson's gazelle completing a clockwise circuit through the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Understanding the route and timing is essential for positioning yourself for the dramatic river crossings.
The Migration Calendar
January – March: Calving Season, Southern Serengeti
The herds are in the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti (Ndutu area) where the calving season takes place. Around 8,000 wildebeest are born every single day — creating a predator bonanza. Cheetah, lion and hyena follow the herds. February is considered the best calving month.
April – June: Moving North
As the rains ease, the herds begin their northward journey through the central Serengeti. Long, winding columns of wildebeest stretch to the horizon. The Grumeti River crossings in the Western Corridor (May–June) are a prelude to the main Mara crossings — less dramatic but atmospheric.
July – October: Maasai Mara, Kenya — The River Crossings
This is the moment everyone comes for. The herds cross the Mara River from Tanzania into Kenya — and the spectacle at the river banks is one of the most extraordinary sights in nature. Massive crocodiles lie in wait. Wildebeest leap in their thousands. The crossings are unpredictable — they can happen at any time, multiple times per day, or not at all for days.
Best months for crossings: August and September. July can be excellent; October sees the herds beginning to return south.
November – December: Returning South
The herds begin migrating south through the eastern Serengeti, following the short rains. The circuit completes and begins again.
Positioning for the River Crossings
The most important decision is which camp to stay at. Camps positioned along the Mara River (Rekero, Governors', Mahali pa Tembo, Ol Seki) give you the fastest access to crossing points. Our team tracks herd movement daily during July–October and will position you for the best possible experience.
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