The Complete Guide to the Great Migration
Everything you need to know about witnessing the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth - timing, locations, and what to expect.
- Written by
- Emmanuel Mwanga
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 1 min
The Great Migration is nature's most spectacular wildlife event, involving over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and countless other animals in an endless cycle of movement across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
When to See the Migration
The migration follows a roughly clockwise pattern driven by rainfall:
- January-March: Calving season in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu area
- April-May: The herds move northward through the Western Corridor
- June-July: Grumeti River crossings
- August-October: Dramatic Mara River crossings in the Northern Serengeti
- November-December: Return journey southward
Best Viewing Locations
Each location offers a unique perspective on the migration:
- Ndutu: Intimate calving scenes with predators
- Grumeti: First major river crossings
- Kogatende: The famous Mara River crossings
Tips for Your Migration Safari
- Book camps in the path of the migration
- Stay mobile - consider moving camps
- Be patient - nature doesn't follow a schedule
- Trust your guide's local knowledge