Wildebeest crossing a river during the Great Migration

The Great Migration

Follow the Herds, Month by Month

Where the Great Migration is through the year, how to reach it, and the luxury camps we would choose for each month.

Luxury Great Migration safaris in the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, planned from Nairobi

The Short Answer

Where is the Great Migration right now?

The Great Migration is the year round journey of roughly two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle through Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara. There is no single best month to see it, only a best place for each month: the southern plains around Ndutu for calving from December to April, the Western Corridor and Grumeti for the Grumeti River crossings in June, and the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara for the Mara River crossings from July to October.

Abner Ongeri Written by Abner Ongeri, Founder, from Karen, Nairobi. Updated September 2026.

Where to see the Great Migration, and when
AreaWhenThe highlight
Southern Serengeti and NdutuDecember to AprilCalving season on the short grass plains
Central Serengeti and SeroneraMay, and November to DecemberThe herds on the move, and big cats all year round
Western Corridor and GrumetiLate May to July, and again in OctoberThe rut and the Grumeti River crossings
Northern Serengeti, Kogatende and LamaiJuly to OctoberThe Mara River crossings, from the Tanzanian side
Maasai Mara, KenyaJuly to October, with big cats all year roundRiver crossings, big cats and hot air balloons

Roughly 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle · Around half a million calves each season · 2 countries, one ecosystem · 4 to 6 nights, ideally in two areas

The Map

Follow the herds around the year.

Choose a month, or press play, and watch the herds walk their loop through the Serengeti and the Mara. Timing shifts a little every year with the rains.

Sketch map of the Great Migration through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara The herds circle clockwise through the Serengeti ecosystem: the southern plains around Kusini and Ndutu from December to March, up the western side and the Western Corridor from April to June, the northern Serengeti at Lamai and Kogatende and the Maasai Mara from July to October, and back south down the eastern side in November. N KENYA TANZANIA Maasai Mara National Reserve conservancies Serengeti National Park Lamai Kogatende Grumeti Grumeti Reserve Western Corridor Seronera Lobo Klein's Moru Kusini Ndutu Ngorongoro Conservation Area Ngorongoro Crater Karatu crater gate Lake Natron Lake Eyasi Lake Manyara Lake Victoria Mara River Grumeti River crocs wait here! sunrise balloons calving grounds Nairobi, 45 min by air ↗ Arusha, 1 hr by air ↘ January

Hand drawn to the real park boundaries. Herd positions are typical and shift a little each year with the rains.

January · where the herds usually are

The herds gather on the southern plains

What happens
The herds spread over the short grass plains from Moru down to Naabi, Kusini and Ndutu, where volcanic soils make the grazing rich. The first calves arrive between dramatic storms.
How to get there
Fly from Arusha to Ndutu or Kusini airstrip.

Where to stay in January 8 camps, scroll for more →

Plan a January migration safari The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu guide

Suggested packageThe Calving Season and Big Cats, 5 days, from USD 9,675

Where to Be

Five places to meet the Great Migration.

The Great Migration in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu
Calving season on the short grass plains

01 / 05 · December to April

Southern Serengeti and Ndutu

Calving season on the short grass plains

When
December to April
What you will see
Around half a million calves born in two to three weeks, usually in February, and the lion, cheetah and hyena that follow them.
How to get there
Fly to Ndutu airstrip, or drive in from the Ngorongoro Crater, about two hours away.

Our tipPair a few nights here with the Ngorongoro Crater. The two sit side by side.

Where to stay

Next door, on the Ngorongoro Crater rim

Compare every camp in our Serengeti guide

Back to the map
The Great Migration in the Central Serengeti and Seronera
The herds on the move, and big cats all year round

02 / 05 · May, and November to December

Central Serengeti and Seronera

The herds on the move, and big cats all year round

When
May, and November to December
What you will see
Long columns of wildebeest and zebra passing Moru and Seronera, with the resident lions and leopards of the Seronera Valley all year.
How to get there
Fly from Arusha to Seronera airstrip, in the heart of the park.

Our tipGreen season brings the best rates at luxury lodges and very few vehicles at sightings.

Where to stay

Compare every camp in our Serengeti guide

Back to the map
The Great Migration in the Western Corridor and Grumeti
The rut and the Grumeti River crossings

03 / 05 · Late May to July, and again in October

Western Corridor and Grumeti

The rut and the Grumeti River crossings

When
Late May to July, and again in October
What you will see
Males battling during the rut, herds crossing the Grumeti River past giant crocodiles, and the herds passing back through in October.
How to get there
Fly from Arusha to Grumeti or Sasakwa airstrip, then a short drive to your lodge.

Our tipThe private Grumeti Reserve limits guest numbers and allows walking and night drives, which the national park does not.

Where to stay

Compare every camp in our Serengeti guide

Back to the map
The Great Migration in the Northern Serengeti, Kogatende and Lamai
The Mara River crossings, from the Tanzanian side

04 / 05 · July to October

Northern Serengeti, Kogatende and Lamai

The Mara River crossings, from the Tanzanian side

When
July to October
What you will see
The famous crossings of the Mara and Sand rivers, with the biggest gatherings on the Lamai Wedge and the Nyamalumbwa Plains.
How to get there
Fly from Arusha, Kilimanjaro or the Maasai Mara to Kogatende airstrip.

Our tipAllow three or four nights near the river. Singita Mara River and Sayari sit right on it, and Klein's private concession adds walking and night drives.

Where to stay

Compare every camp in our Serengeti guide

Back to the map
The Great Migration in the Maasai Mara, Kenya
River crossings, big cats and hot air balloons

05 / 05 · July to October, with big cats all year round

Maasai Mara, Kenya

River crossings, big cats and hot air balloons

When
July to October, with big cats all year round
What you will see
Crossings on the Mara and Talek rivers, the bulk of the herds in September, and some of Africa's best big cat viewing all year round.
How to get there
Fly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport in about 45 minutes: Kichwa Tembo for the Mara Triangle, Olkiombo for the central reserve, Olare Motorogi for the conservancies.

Our tipCombine the reserve for the river with a private conservancy for quiet game drives, night drives and walks.

On the river and in the reserve

In the private conservancies

Compare every camp in our Masai Mara guide

Back to the map
How We Plan It

Following the herds, in luxury.

  1. The right place for your monthWe place you where the herds usually are for your dates, and allow enough days for the herds to do what they do.
  2. Private charters between campsLight aircraft link the Mara and the Serengeti airstrips, so you spend your time on the plains, not on the road.
  3. Guides who read the herdsOur guides move early and choose quiet crossing points, away from the crowds.
  4. Camps chosen by seasonRiverside camps for the crossings, private conservancies for quiet game drives, and mobile camps that move with the migration.

Planning around a particular month? See our month by month guide to luxury safaris, or compare every camp in our guides to the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.

Great Migration Packages

Three ways to meet the herds.

Five day packages timed to the three great moments of the migration, each beginning with a night at Legendary Lodge in Arusha.

Laba Migration Camp on the short grass plains of Ndutu, southern SerengetiDecember to March · Peak in February

5 Days · 4 Nights

The Calving Season and Big Cats

More than 500,000 wildebeest calves are born in about three weeks on the short grass plains, drawing lions, cheetahs and hyenas close.

Where you stayLegendary Lodge, Arusha, and Laba Migration Camp, Ndutu

From, per person sharingUSD 9,675

See the day by day
  1. Day 1. VIP arrival in Arusha

    A private host meets you on the tarmac at Kilimanjaro International Airport, fast tracks you through arrivals and hands you to your chauffeur. Forty five minutes later you reach Legendary Lodge, on a working coffee estate at the foot of Mount Meru, for a welcome massage and a farm to table dinner on your own veranda.

    Overnight: Legendary Lodge
  2. Day 2. Fly to Ndutu

    After breakfast, fly from Arusha Airport to Ndutu airstrip in about an hour. Your Laba Laba guide meets you with a private open vehicle and drives you to Laba Migration Camp on the short grass plains. Settle into your tented suite of copper and canvas, then head out as the first herds gather between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the southern Serengeti.

    Overnight: Laba Migration Camp, Ndutu
  3. Day 3. Calves and predators on the open plains

    Leave at sunrise with a breakfast hamper from the camp chef and spend the day with the herds, as newborn calves take their first steps and cheetahs, lions and leopards hunt across the open ground. Back in camp, choose the gym tent above the plains, an open air bath or drinks around the fire.

    Overnight: Laba Migration Camp, Ndutu
  4. Day 4. A walk in the bush and dinner under the stars

    At dawn, walk with an expert guide and an armed ranger to read tracks and the small life of the plains. After a long brunch the afternoon is yours, with a private game drive until sunset, then a candlelit Laba Laba Signature dinner in the bush.

    Overnight: Laba Migration Camp, Ndutu
  5. Day 5. Fly back to Arusha

    A last game drive on the way to Ndutu airstrip, a flight to Arusha, and a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.

Enquire about this package
Singita Faru Faru Lodge in the private Singita Grumeti reserve, western SerengetiLate May to July · Peak in June

5 Days · 4 Nights

The Western Corridor and River Drama

Great herds moving through the Grumeti corridor, river crossings watched by giant Nile crocodiles, and very few other vehicles.

Where you stayLegendary Lodge, Arusha, and Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Grumeti

From, per person sharingUSD 18,775

See the day by day
  1. Day 1. Arrival in Arusha

    Fast track assistance at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a private transfer to Legendary Lodge, for a coffee tasting on the estate, time by the pool and a tasting menu paired with fine wines.

    Overnight: Legendary Lodge
  2. Day 2. Fly to the Singita Grumeti reserve

    Fly from Arusha to Sasakwa airstrip in about an hour and a quarter. Your Singita guide drives you to Faru Faru, on a riverbank inside the private 350,000 acre Singita Grumeti reserve, then out on an afternoon drive to find the leading herds heading for the Grumeti River.

    Overnight: Singita Faru Faru Lodge
  3. Day 3. The Grumeti River crossings

    Leave at sunrise with a breakfast hamper and follow the herds as they face the Grumeti River and its huge crocodiles, far from the crowds of the public park. In the afternoon, a private tasting in the lodge's wine cellar, then an evening game drive.

    Overnight: Singita Faru Faru Lodge
  4. Day 4. A walking safari and a night drive

    Track wildlife on foot with professional armed trackers in the morning. After lunch and time in the spa, a sunset drive turns into a night drive in search of aardvark, serval and hunting lions.

    Overnight: Singita Faru Faru Lodge
  5. Day 5. Back to Arusha

    A final early drive along the river, a late morning flight from Sasakwa to Arusha, then a day room or a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your evening flight.

Enquire about this package
Sayari Camp near the Mara River in the northern SerengetiJuly to October · Peak in August and September

5 Days · 4 Nights

The Great Mara River Crossings

The Mara River crossings around Kogatende, in the northern Serengeti.

Where you stayLegendary Lodge, Arusha, and Sayari Camp, Kogatende

From, per person sharingUSD 13,700

See the day by day
  1. Day 1. Arrival in Arusha

    A VIP welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport and a private transfer to Legendary Lodge, with a quiet day in the gardens and a fine dinner before your flight north.

    Overnight: Legendary Lodge
  2. Day 2. Fly to Kogatende

    Fly from Arusha across the Great Rift Valley to Kogatende airstrip in about an hour and twenty minutes. Your Asilia guide drives you to Sayari Camp, close to the Mara River. After lunch and a swim, your first drive follows the riverbanks.

    Overnight: Sayari Camp
  3. Day 3. Following the crossings

    An early start puts you at the crossing points as the sun reaches the water. Watch the herds build on the banks until the first animals plunge in, with a hot lunch served beneath an acacia. In the afternoon, look for lions, leopards and cheetahs among the herds.

    Overnight: Sayari Camp
  4. Day 4. A balloon over the Mara River

    Rise at dawn in a hot air balloon above the river and the herds, then land for a champagne breakfast on the plains. The rest of the day is unhurried, with a late drive, drinks at Sayari's open air bar and dinner under the stars.

    Overnight: Sayari Camp
  5. Day 5. Farewell to the Serengeti

    A last morning drive and breakfast, then a flight from Kogatende to Arusha and a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Enquire about this package

Prefer a longer journey? See our 8 Day Great Migration Safari across Kenya and Tanzania, or The Ultimate East Africa Luxury Safari.

Questions We Hear

The Great Migration, answered.

Straight answers from our team in Nairobi. For your own dates, one of our experts will reply the same day.

1-888-502-0560 Toll free, US & Canada Speak to an Expert

What is the Great Migration?

The Great Migration is the year round journey of roughly two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle through Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara. The herds follow the rains and fresh grass in a continuous loop that never entirely stops.

When is the best time to see the Great Migration?

All year round, because the herds are always somewhere in the Serengeti and Mara. They calve on the southern plains from December to April, cross the Grumeti River in June, and cross the Mara River from July to October.

When do the Mara River crossings happen?

The Mara River crossings usually begin in July and continue into October, with most herds crossing north in August and back south in October. Timing shifts each year with the rains, so we plan several days near the river.

Is the Great Migration better in Kenya or Tanzania?

Both are wonderful. The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania's Serengeti and arrive in Kenya's Maasai Mara from July to October. Many of our guests combine the two on one luxury safari.

When is calving season in the Serengeti?

Calving happens on the southern plains around Ndutu and Kusini, mostly between late January and mid March. Around half a million calves are born in two to three weeks, usually in February.

Where should I stay to see the Great Migration?

It depends on the month. Stay around Ndutu from December to April, in the Grumeti area in June, and near the Mara River in the northern Serengeti or the Maasai Mara from July to October. Favourites include Laba Migration Camp and Mwiba Plains in the south, Singita Sasakwa Lodge in the Grumeti Reserve, Singita Mara River and Sayari Camp in the north, and Sanctuary Olonana and Mara Plains Camp in Kenya.

How do you get to the Great Migration?

By light aircraft. The Maasai Mara is about 45 minutes from Nairobi's Wilson Airport, and the Serengeti airstrips connect with Arusha and with each other. We arrange scheduled and private charter flights.

Can a river crossing be guaranteed?

No one can guarantee a crossing, because the herds decide. We place you in the right area for the month, allow three or four nights near the river, and work with guides who read the herds and move early.

How many days do I need for a Great Migration safari?

Our focused Great Migration packages run for 5 days, with 3 nights in the migration area. For a fuller journey, we suggest 8 to 12 days to add a second region such as the Ngorongoro Crater, the Maasai Mara or a beach stay.

How much does a luxury Great Migration safari cost?

Our 5 day Great Migration packages start from USD 9,675 per person sharing for calving season at Laba Migration Camp, USD 13,700 for the Mara River crossings at Sayari Camp, and USD 18,775 for the Grumeti crossings at Singita Faru Faru. The price depends on the month, the camps and the flights.

Begin

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