The Great Migration, Decoded: When to Go and Where to Stay
River crossings, newborn calves and how to time your journey. Our guide to seeing the Serengeti and Maasai Mara at their best.
The Great Migration is not a single event. It is a year-round loop in which well over a million wildebeest, along with zebra and gazelle, travel through the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of fresh grass. Where you see the herds depends entirely on when you go.
January to March: calving season
The herds gather on the southern plains of the Serengeti and around Ndutu, where tens of thousands of calves are born in a matter of weeks. Predators follow, so the action is constant and the landscape is green. It is intimate, dramatic and often less crowded than the river crossings.
April to June: the long trek north
As the grass dries, the herds begin to move toward the western corridor and the north. This is the green season, with fewer visitors and lower rates, and it rewards travelers who prefer quiet to spectacle.
July to October: the river crossings
Between roughly July and October the herds reach the Mara and Grumeti rivers, where thousands of animals plunge into crocodile-filled water. It is the scene most people picture when they think of the migration, and it is also the busiest and most competitive season. The best camps fill a year or more in advance.
Where to stay
Small camps close to the crossing points save hours of driving and let you stay with a sighting as it unfolds. Mobile camps follow the herds through the year. Private vehicles and flexible schedules matter even more here, because the herd decides when the crossing begins, not you. For one memorable morning, consider a hot-air balloon flight at dawn over the plains.
Our advice
Choose your priority first. If you want drama, plan for the crossings. If you want newborn animals and open space, aim for calving season. Many of our guests pair East Africa with the Okavango Delta, which gives them the best of both landscapes in a single trip.
Ready to plan your own journey? Request a tailored proposal at iloveafrica.travel/booking or call +27 78 078 8223, and a specialist will take it from there.
