The Great Migration Month by Month

The Great Migration follows a broad annual rhythm dictated by the rains, and while the exact timing shifts from year to year, the overall pattern is remarkably consistent. This month-by-month guide shows where the herds usually are and what each period offers, from the calving spectacle of the southern plains to the heart-stopping river crossings of the north. Use it to line up your dates with the phase you most want to witness.

Key things to know

• ➜December–March: herds gather on the southern Serengeti short-grass plains; calving peaks in Jan–Feb.
• ➜April–May: the herds drift north-west with the long rains, spreading through the central Serengeti.
• ➜June–July: build-up along the Grumeti; the first Mara-bound crossings begin.
• ➜August–October: peak Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
• ➜November: the short rains draw the herds back south towards the plains.
• ➜Timing varies each year with the rains, so treat any calendar as a guide, not a guarantee.

References & further reading

1. Thirgood, S., et al. (2004). Can parks protect migratory ungulates? The case of the Serengeti wildebeest. Animal Conservation, 7(2), 113-120.
2. Holdo, R. M., Holt, R. D., & Fryxell, J. M. (2009). Opposing rainfall and plant nutritional gradients best explain the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. The American Naturalist, 173(4), 431-445.
3. Sinclair, A. R. E., et al. (Eds.) (2015). Serengeti IV. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.