You've probably seen the footage. Thousands of wildebeest hurl themselves off a dusty riverbank into the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s also kinda predictable if you know what you’re looking for. But here’s the thing: most people ask when is the Great Migration in Africa like it's a single event with a start and end date.
It isn't.
The Great Migration is a 500-mile, year-round loop. It never actually stops. These animals—nearly two million wildebeest, plus a trailing entourage of zebras and gazelles—are basically on a never-ending quest for greener grass and better water. They don't have a calendar, but they do have an incredible sense of where the rain is falling. If you show up in the Serengeti in August expecting to see the river crossings, you're in the wrong place. You’d need to be further north, in the Masai Mara.
The Movement Depends On The Rain
Nature doesn't follow a strict schedule. While we can map out the general path, the precise timing shifts every year based on when the rains arrive. If the short rains in Tanzania are late, the herds stay put in the north longer. If the rains are heavy, they move faster. It’s a giant, hungry circle driven by survival.
January to March: The Calving Season
During the first few months of the year, the herds are settled in the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is a massive gathering. Specifically, February is when the "calving season" hits its peak. Around 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every single day for about three weeks. It’s a buffet for predators. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are everywhere. If you want to see high-stakes predator-prey interaction without the long drives of the dry season, this is your window. The grass is lush and green, the air is clear, and the sheer volume of life is staggering.
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April to June: The Trek Northward
By April, the southern plains start to dry out. The "long rains" begin to taper off, and the herds start moving northwest toward the Western Corridor of the Serengeti. This is a transitional period. The wildebeest start to bunch up into massive columns that can stretch for miles. Honestly, it’s one of the most underrated times to go. You won't see the famous river crossings yet, but you’ll see the "mega-herds" on the move. By June, they’re usually congregating around the Grumeti River. The crocodiles here are huge, and while the crossings aren't as famous as the Mara River ones, they’re just as intense and far less crowded with tourist vehicles.
When Is The Great Migration In Africa At Its Peak?
Most travelers are looking for that specific "National Geographic" moment. You know the one. The river crossing. If that's the goal, you’re looking at the window between July and October.
July to August: The Mara River Crossings
This is the big one. The herds have pushed through the Grumeti and are now facing the Mara River, which straddles the border of Tanzania and Kenya. This is the deadliest part of their journey. They wait on the banks, sometimes for days, building up numbers and nervous energy. Then, one brave (or pushed) wildebeest leaps, and the rest follow in a frantic, splashing frenzy. Watching a crossing requires patience. You might sit in a jeep for five hours under a hot sun just waiting for them to commit. But when they do? It’s pure adrenaline.
September to October: Life in the Masai Mara
By September, the bulk of the migration has moved into Kenya’s Masai Mara. Because the Mara is much smaller than the Serengeti, the density of animals is incredible. You can’t look in any direction without seeing a wildebeest. The grass is cropped short like a golf course by all that grazing. This is prime safari season. The weather is dry, the animals are easy to spot, and the drama is constant.
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The Return Journey
Around late October or early November, the "short rains" start falling in the southern Serengeti again. The animals can sense it. They turn around and start the long trek back south, cutting through the eastern side of the Serengeti.
- November: The herds are moving fast through the Loliondo area.
- December: They reach the southern plains just in time for the cycle to start all over again.
Travelers often worry they'll "miss" it. You won't. You just have to be in the right region for the month you're traveling. If you book a lodge in the South Serengeti for September, you’ll be looking at beautiful, empty plains. The animals will be 200 miles north of you.
What Most People Get Wrong About The Migration
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the migration is a single "line" of animals. It’s not. It’s more like a series of fragmented groups and massive clusters. Some groups are "residents" that don't move much at all. Others are the "pioneers" who lead the way.
Another thing? The weather. Climate change has started to make the rainfall patterns a bit wonky. In some years, the herds have stayed in the Masai Mara until December because the rains in the south simply didn't show up. Experts like those at the Serengeti Ecosystem Monitoring Programme have noted that while the route stays the same, the "staying time" in each location is becoming harder to predict with 100% accuracy.
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If you’re planning a trip, don’t just look at the month. Look at the specific camp locations. "Mobile camps" are often the best bet because they literally pack up and move their tents to follow the herds as the seasons change. It’s the most authentic way to experience the Great Migration without betting everything on the weather being "normal."
Planning Your Strategy
To get the most out of your trip, you need to match your expectations to the geography.
- For Photography: Go in February (Southern Serengeti). The light is amazing, the babies are cute, and the green grass makes for better photos than the brown dust of the dry season.
- For Drama: Go in August (Northern Serengeti/Masai Mara). This is when you get the river crossings. Be prepared for crowds, though.
- For Budget: Look at the "shoulder seasons" like May or November. You might get rained on, but the lodge prices drop significantly and you’ll have the herds almost to yourself.
The Great Migration isn't a show that starts at 8:00 PM. It's a living, breathing process. It's messy and unpredictable. But that's exactly why it's worth seeing.
Your Next Steps
Check the current rainfall reports for East Africa before booking your flights. If the region is experiencing a heavy "El Niño" or "La Niña" year, the migration timing could shift by as much as three or four weeks. Once you have a month in mind, cross-reference it with the specific region—Serengeti South, Central, West, North, or the Masai Mara—to ensure your lodge is actually in the path of the herds. Booking a mobile safari camp is the most reliable way to stay close to the action regardless of the rain's timing.