We have been operating safaris in the Serengeti since 1978. In that time, we have watched the migration from every possible angle — from a helicopter at dawn over Ndutu, from a stationary position on the banks of the Grumeti as 30,000 wildebeest poured into the river, from a Land Cruiser surrounded by lions feeding on a freshly caught wildebeest at the edge of a burning plain. The migration never becomes ordinary. Each year brings different circumstances, different drama, different moments of unexpected wonder.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest Migration Tanzania
1.5 million wildebeest. 800,000 zebra. One circle of survival played out across the Serengeti every year. Here is everything you need to plan your migration safari.
1.5M
Wildebeest on the move annually
800K
Zebras travelling alongside
250K
Calves born in a 3-week window
3,000
Kilometres covered in a full cycle
2,500
Crocodiles waiting at the Mara River
200K
Wildebeest that don't survive each year
12-Month Calendar
When and Where the Migration Moves
The migration follows the rains and the fresh grass that follows them. No two years are identical — the exact timing shifts by weeks depending on rainfall patterns — but the broad seasonal pattern has remained consistent for centuries.
January
predator action
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)
Calving season — approximately 8,000 calves born daily. Predators follow the vulnerable herds.
February
big cat activity
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)
Peak calving continues. The herds are concentrated in the short-grass plains south of Naabi Hill.
March
river crossings begin
Central Serengeti
The herds begin moving north. The migration is in motion — large columns crossing the central plains.
April
Grumeti crossings
Western Corridor
The herds fun through the Western Corridor, following the Grumeti River. First major river crossings.
May
vast herds
Western & Central Serengeti
Mass movement north. The herds consolidate into massive columns. The landscape turns green.
June
Mara River crossings
Northern Serengeti
The herds reach the Mara River in the far north. First dramatic crossings as they enter Kenya's Maasai Mara.
July
peak crossings
Northern Serengeti / Maasai Mara
Peak crossing season. Thousands of wildebeest die crossing crocodiles. The most dramatic migration moments.
August
ongoing crossings
Northern Serengeti / Maasai Mara
Crossings continue as the herds move east through Kenya before circling back south into Tanzania.
September
southward return
Northern Lamai Wedge & Lobo
The herds begin returning south through the northern Lamai Wedge and Lobo areas.
October
eastern plains
Salei Plains & Loliondo
The migration sweeps east and south, crossing through the Salei Plains and Loliondo.
November
calving returns
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)
The herds return to the southern plains as the short rains begin. Calving season starts again.
December
newborn calves
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)
Peak calving season resumes. Thousands of newborn calves across the short-grass plains.
The Route
A 1,000-Kilometre Circle of Survival
The Wildebeest Migration is not a straight line — it is a roughly circular movement across approximately 1,000 kilometres of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, driven entirely by the search for fresh grazing. The herds move constantly, following the rains that bring new grass.
The route varies slightly each year depending on where the rains fall. In dry years, the herds may move further east into the Salei Plains. In wet years, they may spend longer in the western corridor. But the key chokepoints — the Grumeti River in the west and the Mara River in the north — are fixed, and it is at these rivers that the most dramatic moments occur. You can follow the detailed 2026 migration route here. For a different perspective on the migration's most atmospheric moments, read our full moon migration safari guide.
The migration is accompanied by approximately 800,000 zebra — which move in mixed herds with the wildebeest — and tens of thousands of gazelle. This is not just a wildebeest event; it is the largest remaining natural movement of mammals on Earth.
Choose Your Season
Three Ways to Experience the Migration
Southern Circuit (Ndutu)
December – March
Best For
Calving season, predator action, photography, first-timers
Experience
Intimate, herds concentrated, calving on your doorstep
Price Tier
$$
Western Corridor (Grumeti)
April – June
Best For
River crossings, off-road game drives, birdlife
Experience
Lush, green, less crowded than north
Price Tier
$$
Northern Circuit (Mara River)
July – October
Best For
Dramatic crossings, crocodiles, return migration
Experience
The iconic images — mass crossings, chaos, survival
Price Tier
$$$
Where to Stay
Camps for Every Phase of the Migration
Location is everything during the migration. These camps are positioned for different phases of the cycle — we match your travel dates to the right camp.
Klein's Camp
Southern Serengeti / Ndutu · Dec–Mar
Unrivalled calving-season access. Private concession means off-road driving and walking safaris — you get closer than anywhere else.
See all Serengeti lodge options →Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp
Four locations, following the migration · Year-round
A proper mobile camp that moves with the herds. No fixed site — you follow the migration in authentic bush luxury.
See all Serengeti lodge options →Ubuntu Camp
Central / Northern Serengeti · Jun–Nov
Small, intimate camp in the path of the migration. Exceptional guiding from long-established operators.
See all Serengeti lodge options →Mara River Under Canvas
Northern Serengeti · Jul–Oct
The closest camps to the actual Mara River crossings. Simple but authentic — fall asleep to the sound of the crossings.
See all Serengeti lodge options →Plan Your Migration Safari
Starting From
$3,800
per person · 7 days
Includes
All park fees, crater fees, all meals, game drives, light aircraft transfers
Best Season
December–March (calving) · July–October (crossings)
Continue Planning
Related Pages
Migración en Español / Migration Calendar
Gran Migración Tanzania — Cuándo y Dónde
The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti ecosystem in a predictable annual loop. Below are the month-by-month routing pages, plus the calendar overview, to help you plan your safari around the herds.
Questions
Migration Safari FAQ
When is the best time to see the Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania?
The best time depends on what you want to see. For calving and predator action, January to March in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu) is extraordinary — up to 8,000 calves born daily and big cats hunting in the concentrated herds. For the most dramatic crossings, July to October in the northern Serengeti near the Mara River delivers the iconic imagery: thousands of wildebeest pouring into the river with crocodiles waiting. No single time is 'best' — the migration is a 12-month cycle and every phase is remarkable. May is one of our favourite hidden-gem months — the herds move north through the western corridor in massive columns, landscapes are lush and green, and there are far fewer visitors. See our month-by-month migration guide for the full picture.
Can you guarantee seeing the migration if you book a migration safari?
No honest operator can guarantee you'll see the migration at a specific moment — this is wild nature, not a zoo. What we can guarantee is that the migration moves in a broadly predictable seasonal pattern, and our guides track the herds daily using decades of local knowledge and real-time information from other camps. We position you in the right area at the right time of year. The vast majority of our migration safari guests witness dramatic crossings or massive herd movements. We will not book you into a camp and hope for the best.
How much does a Wildebeest Migration safari cost in Tanzania?
A quality migration safari in Tanzania starts from approximately $600–$800 per person per night for a mid-range luxury camp, rising to $1,200–$2,000+ per person per night for premium camps during peak season (July–October). A 7-day migration safari typically costs $4,200–$8,000 per person including park fees, all meals, and game drives. We offer a range of options and we are transparent about pricing — there are no hidden extras for park fees or crater fees. For a month-by-month breakdown of migration pricing including shoulder-season value, see our migration cost guide.
Is the migration only in Tanzania?
Approximately 80% of the Wildebeest Migration takes place within Tanzania's Serengeti ecosystem. The other 20% plays out in Kenya's Maasai Mara, which the herds enter briefly each year around July to October. Our Tanzania-only safaris follow the full cycle within the Serengeti and never cross into Kenya — there is more than enough migration to experience without needing to leave Tanzania.
Is the migration safe for children?
Migration safaris are suitable for children aged 8 and above, with the understanding that some game drives can be long and the experience demanding for younger travellers. The southern Serengeti calving season (January–March) is particularly family-friendly — the herds are concentrated, the landscape is relatively flat and easy to traverse, and the predator action is extraordinary. Walking safaris have age restrictions, but game drives are open to all ages.
What is the difference between the Serengeti and Maasai Mara migration?
The Wildebeest Migration is one continuous cycle that moves between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara, but approximately 80% of the cycle — including the calving season — happens within Tanzania. The Maasai Mara portion (July–October) is when the herds cross the Mara River into Kenya. Many travellers ask which is 'better' — in our view, the Tanzanian Serengeti offers more variety, more space, less crowding, and the full cycle of the migration. The Mara crossings are dramatic, but you experience them in a much more crowded environment.
How do I get to the migration?
The Serengeti is accessible by light aircraft from Arusha (45–60 minutes) or by road from the Ngorongoro gate (3–4 hours). We arrange all transfers as part of your safari package. Internal flights within Tanzania are a highlight in themselves — the aerial view of the Serengeti from 3,000 feet gives you a sense of the scale that no game drive can match.