Great Migration
Best Time to See the Great Migration
Where the herds usually are through the year, and why no month can ever be guaranteed.
7 min read
A moving target
The migration is a continuous, year-round loop driven by rainfall and grazing. It is not an event with a date.
Broadly: calving on the southern plains from January to March, movement west from around June, the northern Serengeti and Mara River from July to October, and the return south from November.
River crossings
Crossings are most likely between July and October near the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. Staying three or more nights in the area meaningfully improves your chances.
Even then, crossings depend on herd behaviour on the day. Any operator promising a crossing is overpromising.
How we plan around it
We position your camps for the most likely herd location during your dates, favour mobile camps that move with the migration, and keep enough nights in one area to give the wildlife time to appear.
