Great Migration | Serengeti Wildebeest Safaris

The Great Migration is the largest mammal migration on earth, the annual movement traveling of more than 1.5 million ungulates, wildebeest but also enormous groups of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, and Grant’s gazelle about an 800-kilometer trek the Serengeti National Park ecosystem

The journey starts in the Southern Plain of Serengeti when wildebeest calves are being born. Then the Wildebeest herd followed by the Zebras and Gazelles moves clockwise from the south, west, north (Masai Mara in Kenya), and back to the south.

The migration is not without risk – crossing rivers means facing crocodiles, patiently waiting for a kill, or seeing a group of lions collaborating to hunt down a wildebeest is an unforgettable sight

Here you will be guided and get to know the best time and which package to witness the epic event in Serengeti National Park Safaris.

Monthly guidance
The best time to see
Which safari package to take!

The Best Time To See Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

The best time to see Serengeti Great Migration! Always is attention to any visitor. The Serengeti is an excellent year-round destination and the event is well determined by the annual rain pattern which leads to the main event of river crossings, which are only seen at certain times of the year

The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the river crossings cannot be predicted. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day!

January – March (Calving or birthing season with intense big cat action)

The Great Migration can be found south of the Serengeti known as the Ndutu area which has a vast plain area dominated by short grass. these months are full of new life and actions from predators like lions, Leopard, Cheetah, and hyenas.

April – June (Grumeti river crossing)

The wet season (heavy rainfall) Great Migration moves towards the western part of Serengeti National park. The action-packed rutting (breeding) season is in full swing, featuring testosterone-fuelled jousts between males competing for the right to mate with receptive females

July – October (Mara River Crossing)

The Great Migration moves northern of Serengeti and meets the big challenges, by crossing the Mara River which is full of crocodiles waiting for killing. Lion and other predators, always hide on the river bank waiting to ambush.

November – December

The herd begins to return from the northern side to the Southern part of Serengeti via the eastern side. During this period, the migration will cross again the Mara river on their way back and the circle is complete.

Why do wildebeest migrate?

The Serengeti ungulates migrate in search of greener pastures, water, and a good place for calving. The timing of the migration coincides with the greening of nutritious grasses on the short-grass plains during the wet season – dictated by local rainfall patterns.