The Great Migration, season by season

The Great Migration is a continuous movement rather than a single event. More than a fixed calendar, it follows rainfall, fresh grass and water across the Serengeti ecosystem.

From roughly January through March, many herds gather on the southern plains around Ndutu. This is calving season, when open grasslands fill with young wildebeest and predators take advantage of the abundance.

The most memorable journeys leave enough room for a place to reveal its own rhythm.

As the long rains arrive, the herds begin moving northwest. April and May can bring dramatic skies, greener landscapes and fewer vehicles, although road conditions may be less predictable.

Between June and July, movement often reaches the western corridor. River crossings here can be powerful, but timing always depends on the year. Later, from July into October, attention shifts north toward the Mara River.

By November and December, short rains encourage the herds south again. The central Serengeti remains strong throughout the year because resident wildlife does not migrate with the main herds.

Choose dates according to the experience you value, not only the possibility of a crossing. Calving, green season, predator activity and quieter camps can be just as memorable as the most photographed moments.