The Great Wildebeest Migration
The greatest wildlife spectacle on earth never stops moving, which means wherever you are in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, the migration is never far away.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
The great wildebeest migration is one of the world’s most spectacular natural phenomena. Every year, millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate in a continuous circle through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara. The journey follows a similar pattern year on year as the vast herds follow the rain.
A wildebeest migration safari is a sought-after experience that wildlife enthusiasts flock to. It sits at the top of bucket lists around the world, and for very good reason. The ever-moving circular migration gives you ample opportunity to see the herds throughout the year. They move in a clockwise direction from the southern Serengeti in February, through the Central and Western Serengeti, with the Grumeti River crossing in May, across the treacherous Mara River in July and August, and back again along the Eastern Serengeti from October.
The animals move in a broadly predictable pattern, though the exact timing depends entirely on the rainfall of each year. Our guide covers the general cycle the animals take annually, which will help you plan your wildebeest migration safari with confidence.
What is the Wildebeest Migration?
The great migration is made up of over 1.5 million wildebeest, 350,000 Thomson’s gazelle and about 200,000 zebra, along with thousands of eland and other hoofed animals. These three main groups all eat different parts of the grasses, which means they do not compete for food and make perfect grazing partners. While predators do not necessarily migrate, the vast herds support very healthy lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena populations across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Not to mention the crocodiles that lie in wait in the Grumeti and Mara rivers for their yearly binge meal.
There is high drama throughout the year as safari-goers watch babies being born and stragglers become a predator’s next meal, all in an ever-changing and beautiful landscape.
Where Does the Wildebeest Migration Take Place?
The East African countries of Tanzania and Kenya are where you will find the great wildebeest migration. The herds migrate between Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and surrounding reserves and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and private conservancies in a loosely circular route. There are no barriers to movement over this vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, allowing the herds to move freely and follow the rains wherever they fall. The herds swell with new life in January however by the time they return south at the end of November their numbers have been substantially reduced by predators like lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena, by the raging waters of the Mara River and the massive crocodiles that lie in wait.
The River Crossings
When people think of the wildebeest migration, they think of the action-packed river crossings we have watched on wildlife documentaries for years. The truth is that river crossings can never be predicted. Not even the herds know exactly when or where they will cross. There are numerous false starts, with animals gathering at the bank and then turning back, or a line of wildebeest walking along a high cliff only to be startled by a lion and scatter into the bush. You simply never know when they will cross or how many will go at a time.
This is why we recommend at least three to four nights in a safari lodge with easy access to various points on the river. Visiting two different lodges during the crossing season can also maximise your chances of being in the right place at the right time. It is worth knowing that the rivers run through public land, which means other vehicles will be competing for the same viewing spots. The experience is still extraordinary, but it is worth setting realistic expectations before you go.
Month by Month
January, February and March
By January, the wildebeest have completed their trek south from the Masai Mara, travelling along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and into the southern plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (not the Ngorongoro Crater itself). Many of the females are heavily pregnant by the end of January. The vast plains of the Ndutu area have revitalised with the rains and are providing nutritious grazing for the herds to raise their newborn calves.
Over 400,000 calves are born within a period of two to three weeks during late January and February. The herds spread through the lower Serengeti, the Ndutu area and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as around Lake Magadi and Lake Ndutu. There is enough food for the animals to remain in this area for a while, which makes it a wonderful time to visit if you want to witness new life on the plains.
The healthy lion populations and other predators like cheetah are out in full force during these months. The Serengeti boasts a staggering 3,000 lions, which makes the whole park a critical conservation area for the species.
April and May
From April, the calves are strong enough to start moving north. The wildebeest drift into the central Serengeti in search of fresh grass. This period coincides with the long rains, and you should be prepared for daily downpours and muddy tracks. The herds stretch for several kilometres as they spread out across the central Serengeti. If you can brave the conditions, this time of year is remarkable for lion and other predator sightings. There is a raw, quiet quality to the Serengeti in the wet season, with far fewer visitors and a landscape that looks extraordinarily lush and green.
June and July
The dry season begins in June, with the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle congregating in the Western Serengeti and along the banks of the Grumeti River. The herds must cross the Grumeti to continue north towards the Masai Mara. This is the first of the great river crossings on the annual trek, though it tends to be less dramatic than what lies ahead at the Mara. June and July are also when the animals begin mating, and the energy across the plains shifts noticeably.
August, September and October
By late July and August, the majority of the herds have headed to the northern Serengeti plains and the forward groups can already be found in the Masai Mara. Nature is at its most raw during this period, with small groups or hundreds of animals at a time hurling themselves into the rapidly flowing, crocodile-infested waters. Crocodiles take numerous meals in a day, hyenas and lions prowl the banks for an easy dinner, and the river itself claims victims that in turn feed the fish and birds.
By September and October, the majority of the herd have crossed into the vast open plains of the Masai Mara, although some remain on the northern Serengeti plains. Casual grazing continues through October until the short rains of November trigger the wildebeest’s internal clock and the southward journey begins again.
November and December
With the arrival of the short rains in November, the majority of the migration turns back towards Tanzania. The herds spread out on the southward trek, travelling along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and down to the southern plains. The cycle completes as the herds reach the southern Serengeti in January, have their babies, and begin the whole extraordinary journey again.
Plan Your Wildebeest Migration Safari
Ready to plan your migration safari? Tell us when you want to travel and we’ll take care of the rest.
Migration Safari Ideas
The migration crosses two of Africa’s greatest safari destinations — where would you like to start?
Where to Stay
There is no single camp that lets you watch the migration year-round. It is simply too vast and too mobile for that. What there is, however, is a wonderfully varied collection of lodges and camps designed around exactly where the herds are at any given time of year. A number of outstanding mobile camps actually track the migration, relocating two to five times a year to stay close to the action. They are adventurous and authentic, and often impressively luxurious too.
Calving Season (January to Early April) – Southern Serengeti and Ndutu
The wildebeest herds are spread across the southern Serengeti, the Ndutu area and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area during calving season. Many of the mobile camps are based here before relocating north for the river crossings. For a permanent option, Sanctuary Kusini and Mwiba Lodge are both excellent. Among the seasonal camps, we love Lemala Ndutu Camp, andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas, Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp, Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp, Asilia’s Olakira, Ubuntu and Kimondo Camp.
Central Serengeti – A Good Base All Year
If you want flexibility without paying the highest seasonal premium, the Central Serengeti and Seronera River Valley offer access to much of the migration throughout the year. Full-day game drives, often with a picnic lunch in the bush, will take you south, north, east and west in search of the herds. This area also has the widest range of accommodation at more varied price points. We are particularly fond of Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp, Dunia Camp, Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp, Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti, One Nature Nyaruswiga Serengeti and Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge. Namiri Plains and Lemala Nanyuki sit in the Eastern Serengeti and are worth considering for excellent year-round game viewing too.
The Western Corridor (May to July) – Grumeti River Crossings
Some camps in the Western Corridor close during the heaviest rains of April and May, but from late May things open again in time for the Grumeti River crossings. There are only a handful of camps in this area, which gives it a wonderfully uncrowded feel. The Singita properties are among the finest in the Serengeti: Singita Faru Faru, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Sabora Tented Camp and Singita Serengeti House. Legendary Mila Tented Camp, andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas and Asilia’s Ubuntu Mobile Camp are also in the western corridor through July.
River Crossing Season (July to October) – Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
Most of the Mara River actually runs through Tanzania before it crosses into Kenya, so the Northern Serengeti camps can offer exceptional river crossing opportunities, often with far fewer vehicles than on the Kenyan side. The mobile camps all relocate up here from July: Olakira Migration Camp, Ubuntu Migration Camp, the Kati Kati camps, Lemala Mara Camp and many more. For permanent camps in the north, we recommend andBeyond Klein’s Camp, Lemala Kuria Hills, Nomad Lamai Camp, Sayari Camp and Serengeti Bushtops. We love Serian over the Mara River, along with Singita Mara River Tented Camp as that side of the river is much quieter in season.
Over in the Masai Mara, the herds spread across the plains in their millions, which is a spectacular sight in its own right whether or not a crossing is happening. For the best chance of witnessing a crossing, Cottar’s 1920s Camp, Elewana Sand River, The Governors Collection and andBeyond Kichwa Tembo are top choices. We also love Angama Mara, andBeyond Bateleur Camp, Serian Nkorombo and Sanctuary Olonana. If you would prefer to step away from the busier national reserve, the private conservancies offer outstanding game viewing with far fewer vehicles: Mahali Mzuri, Mara Plains, Mara Nyika, Kicheche Mara, Kicheche Valley, Porini Lion, Porini Mara, Ngare Serian and Hemingways all deliver beautifully.
The Return South (October to December)
The herds linger in the Masai Mara until the short rains nudge them southward, generally following the eastern boundary of the Serengeti on their way down. Any of the central lodges work well at this time of year, as do Lemala Nanyuki Camp, Ehlane Plains Camp and Namiri Plains Camp in the Eastern Serengeti, all of which offer excellent game viewing throughout the year.
Map of the Migration
