There is no single "migration season". The herds are always moving in a large, loose clockwise circle through the Serengeti ecosystem, which stretches from northern Tanzania into Kenya's Maasai Mara. The timings below are typical, not guaranteed. Rainfall changes from year to year, and herds can be early or late by weeks.
January to March: calving on the southern plains
The herds gather on the short-grass plains in the south of the ecosystem, around the Ndutu area. In late January and February, hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a few weeks. The predators follow: lions, cheetahs and hyenas are easy to see. This is one of the most dramatic times for wildlife viewing, and the landscape is green after the short rains.
April and May: moving north-west
As the plains dry out and the long rains arrive, the herds begin to move north and west through the central Serengeti towards the western corridor. This is the wettest period, with fewer visitors. The safari lodges are quieter, and the grassy plains are lush.
June and July: the western corridor and the Grumeti River
The herds often reach the western corridor, where they cross the Grumeti River. The crossings are less well known than those on the Mara River, but they can be spectacular. Crocodiles wait in the water.
July to October: the north and the Mara River
From about July, many of the herds head into the northern Serengeti (the Kogatende area) and cross the Mara River, in some years back and forth. The river crossings, with thousands of animals plunging down the banks, are what many people picture when they think of the migration. These months are also the dry season, with good visibility, but they are the busiest and most expensive time to travel.
November and December: heading south again
With the short rains the herds turn south, passing through the eastern Serengeti and returning to the southern plains, ready for the next calving season.
Choosing when to go
- Calving and predators: January to March, southern Serengeti.
- River crossings: roughly July to October, north.
- Fewer people: April, May and November.
- Dry-season visibility and comfort: June to October.
Be flexible
Safari planning is easier if you decide what you most want to see and let us place you accordingly. We choose camps and routes that match the herds' likely location for your dates, and we explain honestly what to expect. The wildlife is wild, and nobody can promise a crossing on a particular day.
Updated 15 October 2026
