The Great Migration is the largest overland mammal movement on earth and one of the most compelling reasons anyone travels to East Africa. Each year, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 350,000 Thomson’s gazelle make a continuous circular journey through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem following the rains and the fresh grass they produce. The migration has no beginning and no end: it is a perpetual movement shaped by the seasonal rhythm of rain and sun across a vast landscape. Understanding the month-by-month cycle of this movement is the key to planning a safari that puts you in the right place at the right time.
January: The Southern Serengeti Calving Season Begins
January finds the migration herds consolidated on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti, particularly in the Ndutu area around Lake Ndutu on the border between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The rains of November and December have produced a carpet of fresh green grass on the nutrient-rich volcanic soils, and the wildebeest take full advantage of this rich resource. January is the beginning of the calving season: approximately 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every day in a compressed 3-week window, timed precisely to coincide with the maximum grass quality of the short grass plains. The calving creates an extraordinary predator spectacle: cheetahs, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals, and numerous raptors all converge on the calving area to take advantage of the abundance of vulnerable newborns. The southern Serengeti in January is one of the most wildlife-rich environments in Africa.
February: Peak Calving in Ndutu
February is peak calving season, and the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti is at its most spectacular. The sheer density of wildebeest on the short grass plains, the continuous drama of births and predator activity, and the excellent visibility in the open terrain make February one of the best months to visit the Serengeti for overall wildlife spectacle. The accommodation options in the Ndutu area, including the famous Ndutu Safari Lodge and numerous seasonal camps, are in high demand during this period and should be booked well in advance.
March: Herds Remain South; Long Rains Approach
The herds continue to use the southern and central Serengeti plains in March, but as the month progresses the approach of the long rains from the north begins to drive some herds onto the western corridor. The calving season has ended and the new calves, born to run within hours and able to keep pace with the herd within days, are now old enough to travel. The grass on the short plains is still abundant but the approaching rains trigger a restlessness in the herds. March is an excellent month in the southern and central Serengeti before the rains arrive and while the roads remain largely accessible.
April and May: The Long Rains and the Western Corridor
April and May are the height of the long rainy season in the Serengeti. The herds begin their northward movement into the western corridor and central Serengeti, following fresh growth ahead of the rain front. The landscape transforms to brilliant green but the rains can make some roads impassable and some camps inaccessible. April and May are the low season for Serengeti tourism, with significantly reduced visitor numbers and accommodation rates. The wildlife remains excellent for those who visit: the herds are in the park, the predators are active, and the birdlife is outstanding in the wet season conditions. April in particular can offer extraordinary wildlife experiences with few other vehicles on the plains.
June: The Grumeti Crossings
June marks the beginning of the northern migration, as the herds cross the Grumeti River on their way to the Masai Mara. The Grumeti River crossings are less famous than the Mara River crossings but can be equally spectacular: enormous Nile crocodiles inhabit the Grumeti River and the crossings produce dramatic predation events. The western corridor camps are in position to offer excellent Grumeti crossing sightings in June. The long rains are typically ending in June, the grass begins to dry out, and the migration finds its momentum northward. This is an excellent time to be in the western Serengeti with the herds and the beginning of the dry season making game viewing conditions increasingly favorable.
July: First Herds Reach the Masai Mara
The first major herds begin crossing the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara from mid-July onward. July is the beginning of peak season for the Masai Mara, and the crossings that begin in July represent the most eagerly anticipated wildlife event of the year for safari travelers. July crossings are somewhat less predictable than August crossings as not all the herds have arrived yet, but July visitors often have access to excellent crossings with slightly fewer vehicles than August.
August and September: Peak Mara Crossings
August and September are the peak months for Mara River crossings and the period when the maximum number of migration animals are in or near the Masai Mara. The crossings occur almost daily during this period, some days seeing multiple crossings at different points along the river. The Mara in August and September also has outstanding predator activity: the large resident lion prides, the established cheetah families of the conservancies, and the numerous leopard territories along the river all have their highest prey concentrations of the year. For the complete migration experience, August or September in the Masai Mara is the peak of peak.
October: Southward Return Begins
By October, the short rains of November are imminent and the wildebeest begin their return journey southward. Some herds have already recrossed the Mara River and are heading south through the northern Serengeti. October can still produce excellent Mara crossing sightings as the last major herds return south, and the Masai Mara itself still has exceptional wildlife. The northern Serengeti in October, with the herds moving through the Mara River corridor back into Tanzania, is also excellent and often overlooked by travelers focused on the Kenyan side of the river.
November and December: Short Rains; Herds Return South
November brings the short rains to the Serengeti and the herds accelerate their return to the southern short grass plains where the cycle began. December sees the herds re-establishing themselves on the nutrient-rich southern plains, completing the cycle as the new calving season approaches with the January births. The Ndutu area in late November and December begins to fill with wildebeest again, the grass greens up, and the predators begin to gather in anticipation of another calving season.
Planning the Migration Year for 2027: Summary by Month
2027 migration planning in brief: January to March — southern Serengeti calving at Ndutu, best for predator-prey drama; April to May — western Serengeti transition, green season, Grumeti building; June — Grumeti River crossings, pre-peak value; July to August — northern Serengeti and Masai Mara peak, Mara River crossings; September — late crossings and resident wildlife, strong value; October — herds returning south, shoulder pricing; November to December — return migration, green season character, Christmas period premium. Build your 2027 migration itinerary around this calendar to match your priorities and travel dates — contact our team for specific itinerary design.
Each migration month in 2027 has a distinct character worth matching to your travel priorities — use this calendar as a starting point and contact us for the specific itinerary that fits your dates and interests best.
