A month-by-month map of where the herds move — and where to base yourself for the best sightings.
The Great Migration is not a single event — it's a year-round circuit of nearly two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle moving between the southern Serengeti, the western corridor and Kenya's Maasai Mara in search of fresh grass.
December to March: the herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, where calving peaks in February. Tens of thousands of wildebeest are born within a few weeks — and predators are everywhere.
April to June: the long rains push the herds north and west through the Moru Kopjes and Grumeti, where dramatic river crossings begin and lion prides ambush from the riverbanks.
July to October: the famous Mara River crossings, with crocodiles waiting and herds piling on the banks. Base in northern Serengeti for front-row access.
November: the short rains pull the herds back south, closing the loop. Plan 10–14 months ahead for prime camps — our planners can match your dates to the herd's most likely position.
