The Great Migration in Tanzania is a year-round circuit of more than a million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, following the rains. There is no single best month: January to March is calving on the southern plains around Ndutu, April to June brings herds through the central and western Serengeti, July to October is river-crossing season in the north, and November and December see the herds head south again. Choose the month by what you want to see.
This guide describes where the herds usually are in each month, what you can see and where to stay. The timing shifts with the rains from year to year, so treat the calendar as a guide, not a promise, and ask your operator for current information. We checked the pattern in October 2026. It supports our Serengeti safari guide.
What Drives the Migration?
The herds follow the rain and the fresh grass. The short rains in November and December green the southern plains, and the herds gather there to calve between January and March. As the plains dry out, they move north and west towards permanent water. Large numbers cross the Mara River in the dry months. The cycle is continuous, and no part of it is guaranteed on a given day.
How Many Animals Take Part?
Estimates put the wildebeest at about 1.5 million, with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles joining them. Counts vary by year and source, so we do not give a single figure for each species. The herds attract large numbers of lions, hyenas, cheetahs and crocodiles.
Where Is the Migration Each Month?
January and February: calving on the southern plains
The herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu, which is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving peaks in this period, with thousands of calves born on some days. Predators follow, so game drives often include hunts. Our 10-day February Great Migration safari is built around this.
March: moving north
The herds start to move towards the central Serengeti around Seronera. There is no departure day: columns stretch north as the grass dries. Predators remain active.
April and May: central and western Serengeti
The long rains start in April. The park is green and quiet, and the herds are mostly in the central Serengeti, moving west into the Western Corridor, with the Grumeti River ahead. Roads can be muddy. Balloon safaris are popular.
June: the western corridor
Large herds gather in the west, and some years the Grumeti River crossings take place. The herds prepare to move north. Camps in the Western Corridor and near the Grumeti are the best bases.
July to September: the north and the Mara River
The leading herds reach the Mara River in the northern Serengeti (Kogatende and Lamai) from about July. Crossings are unpredictable: the herds may wait on one bank for hours or days and then rush forward. August and September are usually the most likely months for crossings. The weather is dry and clear. Book camps in the north well ahead, six to twelve months for July to October.
October: crossings continue, then the return begins
Some herds are in Kenya, and others cross back. By the end of the month the first groups start to move south.
November and December: back to the south
The short rains green the southern plains and the herds move slowly back towards Ndutu, ahead of the next calving season. This is a quieter, cheaper period, and migratory birds are present. See the wildlife in the south in the weeks before calving.
What Do Predators Do During the Migration?
The herds feed a whole ecosystem. Lions and spotted hyenas follow the wildebeest, hunt the weak and the young, and often change their territory with the herds. Cheetahs use the open southern plains, where they can spot prey from the ground and from termite mounds. Leopards stay in the riverine woods of the central Serengeti, while Nile crocodiles wait at the Mara and Grumeti rivers, where they take animals that cross. Vultures and other scavengers gather where a kill lies. Seeing a hunt is not guaranteed, and the guides' skill lies in reading the signs and choosing where to wait.
How Does the Tanzanian Side Compare With Kenya's Masai Mara?
The migration is a single movement across one ecosystem, which spans the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. From about July, the herds move north and cross the Mara River into Kenya, and later cross back. Both countries offer crossings, and the best place depends on the year. The Serengeti is far larger and usually has fewer vehicles at any one site, while the Mara is easier to reach from Nairobi. Because the herds move on their own schedule, no operator can promise a crossing on either side. Choose the country by your route and budget, not by a guess about the herds.
How Should You Behave at a River Crossing?
A crossing is a tense and brief event, and responsible viewing makes the difference. Ask your guide to park at a respectful distance and not to block the animals' path. Keep engines off, stay seated and avoid sudden movements or loud talk. Do not chase the herd, and accept that the animals may decide not to cross. Some drivers crowd the bank to get a better angle, which can push the herd back; a good guide declines. Patience is the main skill. Expect hours of waiting and a few minutes of action.
Which Month Should You Choose?
| Want to see | Go in | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn calves and predator action | January to March | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu |
| Fewer visitors and green landscapes | April to May, November | Central Serengeti |
| River crossings | July to October (August and September most likely) | Northern Serengeti (Kogatende, Lamai) |
| Herds in large numbers on open plains | June | Western corridor |
How Do You Plan a Migration Safari?
Choose the month, then the area, then the camp. Seasonal camps move with the herds, so book early for the peak months. Our 9-day Tanzania Great Migration safari heads to the northern Serengeti for the July to October window, and the 7-day Serengeti wildebeest migration tour follows the herds to wherever they are. Pair it with Ngorongoro Crater. Read Serengeti vs Ngorongoro and the Big Five safari guide.
Best for
- Travellers who want to time a safari to the herds
- Photographers who want crossings or calving
May not be ideal for
- Travellers who expect a guaranteed crossing on a particular day
- Those on very short trips, because distances in the Serengeti are large
How Do You Photograph a Crossing or a Calving?
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000 of a second for running animals, with continuous autofocus and burst mode. A lens of 100 to 400 mm is ideal for the northern crossings, which often happen at a distance. Shoot from a stable position, such as a beanbag on the vehicle window frame. For calving, a wide-angle frame shows the scale of the herd and a close frame shows the new calf. Carry spare batteries and cards, and protect the camera from dust. The photography guide covers exposure principles that apply here too.
How Is Climate Changing the Calendar?
The herds follow the rain, and rain does not follow a calendar. In some years the rains start early or late, and the herds shift weeks from the usual dates. A dry spell can delay the northward movement, and heavy rain can delay crossings. This is why the monthly guide is a pattern, not a promise. Plan for a window and stay flexible: book at least four nights in the area you choose, and ask your operator for the most recent ranger reports before you finalise your camp. The unpredictability is part of the migration's appeal.
How Many Nights Do You Need to Follow the Herds?
Four nights in one area is the practical minimum for a good chance of seeing activity, and five to seven allow you to move with the herds. Travellers who follow the herds across two areas, such as the west and the north, usually plan seven nights. If you only have a short trip, choose the area for the season and accept that you may see a different part of the story. Our 7-day Serengeti wildebeest migration tour, the 9-day Tanzania Great Migration safari and the 10-day February migration safari are built around different months. Read the Serengeti safari guide for the wider picture.
What Mistakes Do Travellers Make?
- Planning for one dramatic moment. The migration is a process, not an event.
- Booking only two nights in the north. Crossings wait for no one.
- Booking late. Peak camps fill up.
- Ignoring the rains. They shift the herds.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Great Migration
When is the best time to see the Great Migration in Tanzania?
It depends. January to March for calving, July to October for river crossings.
Which month has the most river crossings?
August and September are the most likely months, but nothing is guaranteed.
Do I need to book far ahead?
Yes. For July to October, six to twelve months ahead is sensible.
Can I see the migration in a single day?
Not reliably. The herds spread across a huge area, and you need several days in the right region to see them.
Is the migration visible all year?
Parts of it are, because the herds are always somewhere in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. What you see changes with the month.
Are river crossings dangerous for visitors?
No, as long as you stay in the vehicle. The danger is to the wildebeest, not to people in a safari vehicle.
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