When Is the Best Time to See the Great Migration in the Serengeti?
July 16, 2026
The Great Migration, in which around two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move in a constant loop through the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, is the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. The most common question we hear is simple: when should I go? The honest answer is that the migration happens all year, but where it is, and what it is doing, changes month by month. Here is how to time it.
December to March: the calving season (southern Serengeti and Ndutu)
In the short green season the herds gather on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains to give birth. Over a few weeks, roughly half a million calves are born, which draws lions, cheetahs and hyenas in dramatic numbers. This is a magical, action-packed time, and far less crowded than the river-crossing season.
Go now for: newborn animals, big cats and predator action, green scenery and fewer vehicles.
April to May: the long rains
The herds begin moving north and west. The rains bring lush landscapes and low-season prices, but some roads and camps are harder going. It is a quieter, more atmospheric time for travellers who do not mind the odd shower.
June to July: the western corridor and Grumeti
The migration pushes through the central and western Serengeti, where the herds face the Grumeti River and its resident crocodiles. Green season is ending and the dry-season game viewing is superb.
July to October: the Mara River crossings (northern Serengeti)
This is the iconic image of the migration: thousands of wildebeest plunging across the crocodile-filled Mara River in the northern Serengeti. Crossings are unpredictable and thrilling, and this is the most sought-after (and busiest) time to visit.
Go now for: the famous river crossings and peak dry-season game viewing.
November: the return south
The short rains draw the herds back south toward the calving grounds, completing the loop. It is a lovely shoulder season with fewer crowds.
The bottom line
There is no single “best” time, only the best time for you. For big cats and newborns, come in the calving season (December to March). For the drama of the river crossings, aim for July to October. And because the herds are always moving, the most important thing is to tell us your travel dates so we can plan your safari where the action is likely to be.
Browse our safaris or share your dates and we will build a private, tailor-made trip around the migration.