The Great Wildebeest Migration: Month-by-Month Calendar

What the migration is

About 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelles, move in a rough clockwise circuit through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystem each year. They follow the rains and the fresh grass, and they’ve done so for thousands of years. It’s less a single event than a continuous movement, and its highlights depend on where the herds are.

There’s no calendar the herds obey. Rainfall shifts from year to year, and so does the timing. Treat the seasons below as a guide, and ask your operator for current reports before you finalise dates.

The annual cycle

January to March: calving on the southern plains

The herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. Calving typically peaks in February, when hundreds of thousands of calves are born in a few weeks. Predators follow, so lion, cheetah and hyena sightings are excellent. The landscape is green, and the crowds are smaller than in July to October. Ngorongoro Crater is close by.

April to May: on the move in the rains

As the rains arrive and the grass dries out in the south, the herds begin to move north and west through the central and western Serengeti. This is low season, with heavy rain, fewer visitors and lower prices. Some camps close. Viewing can be good, but tracks may be muddy.

June: the Grumeti

The herds gather in the western corridor, where they face the Grumeti River, which has crocodiles. Crossings here are less dramatic than at the Mara River, but they happen. Timing is uncertain.

July to October: northern Serengeti and the Mara

This is the peak period for many visitors. The herds cross the Mara River between the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. Crossings are dramatic and unpredictable. Herds can mill at the bank for hours or days before a few brave animals take the plunge and the rest follow. Crocodiles wait in the water. It’s also the peak tourist season, with high prices and many vehicles.

November to December: heading south

As short rains arrive around late October and November, the herds begin their journey back to the southern Serengeti. Viewing can still be good in the northern and central areas, and prices drop. By December, they’re on the way to the calving grounds.

Mara or Serengeti?

Your choice depends on timing and priorities. The Maasai Mara has a well-developed network of camps, easier logistics from Nairobi and quick access to the crossings. The northern Serengeti (Kogatende and Lamai) has fewer vehicles at the river but requires more travel. For calving, go to the southern Serengeti and Ndutu. For a broader mix of wildlife with fewer crowds, consider the central Serengeti.

Our Kenya vs Tanzania comparison explains the differences.

How to plan

• Book early for July to October. Camps near the river sell out months in advance.
• Allow at least three nights in the area, and preferably four or more, to have a chance at a crossing.
• Ask your guide to position you based on the latest reports.
• Be flexible with your schedule, and accept that crossings are unpredictable.
• Look beyond the migration. Big cats, elephants and giraffes are present all year, so a trip doesn’t depend on the herds.

Ethical viewing

At river crossings, vehicles can crowd the bank and disturb the herds. Choose operators who keep a respectful distance, follow park rules and avoid blocking the animals’ path. Patience is more rewarding than pressure, and the animals’ behaviour is better when they aren’t stressed.

Costs and seasons

Peak season is expensive. In the Mara, park fees for non-resident adults are US$200 per day from July to December as of September 2026. Read our cost guide for the full picture, and see the best time to visit East Africa for month-by-month conditions.