Thundering along vast, open plains and leaping across treacherous, crocodile-infested waters, over two million hoofed animals venture together en masse on a constant journey guided by survival instinct.
This is the Great Migration, one of Africa's most impressive living, breathing natural wonders.
So, what is the Great Migration? When are the best times to see it? And how can you experience the phenomenon in Kenya's Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park?
Here's our travel guide to the gazelle, eland, zebra and wildebeest migration in East Africa.
In this article:
What is the Great Migration?
PICTURED: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River, Great Migration, Masai Mara, Kenya.
The Great Migration is an impressive phenomenon wherein 1.5 million blue or common wildebeest (Connochaetes), 400,000 plains zebra (Equus quagga), 12,000 eland (Taurotragus oryx) and 300,000 Grant’s (Nanger granti) and Thomson’s gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii) move from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara.
Essentially, the migration animals are following the rains. They travel 800km in a circular motion through the plains, searching for greener and more mineral-rich pastures and water. The cycle starts around December—March, after the calves are born. When the drought comes between April—May, they set off north from the Serengeti to the Mara and eventually return in October time to complete their journey.
During your visit, you may witness the heart-pounding moments when a herd of wildebeest seemingly blindly jump into the Mara River, water splashing and churning wildly as massive Nile crocodiles attack the unsuspecting herbivores.
Included in the gauntlet the herds have to negotiate are the big cats and spotted hyenas, which prey mostly on calves.
Where Does the Great Migration Take Place?
PICTURED: Plains zebra and blue wildebeest during the Great Migration, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
The Great Migration takes place in Tanzania and Kenya.
In Tanzania, this is through Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti migration season begins with the birth of calves and foals in the south. The approximate two million wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle then move northwest in the pursuit of fresher grasses in central Serengeti.
From there, the herds undertake the daunting task of crossing the Grumeti River into northern Tanzania before passing through to southern Kenya for the start of the Masai Mara migration.
PICTURED: A wildebeest migration map showcasing the route the herds take from January—December.
Now in Kenya, the wildebeest migrate around the Masai Mara. Once again, they have to deal with the threat of Nile crocodiles when crossing the Mara River. As the chaos finally comes to an end, the herds gradually move eastwards. After some time, they make the journey back to the Serengeti.
With its open savannahs and undulating grasslands, the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem holds an abundance of food sources for impressive populations of large mammals.
When is the Best Time to See the Migration?
When is the Great Migration in Africa/Kenya/Tanzania? With our month-by-month migration calendar, you can better plan your visit. Plus, speak with our Africa Travel Specialists to tailor-make your itinerary.
– Calving Season (December—March)
– Serengeti, Tanzania (April—May)
Calving Season (December—March)
PICTURED: Wildebeest and calf, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Great Migration.
During December—March, if you take a slower safari through southern Serengeti and the Ndutu Plains section of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), you'll be immersed in verdant landscapes.
Up to 8,000 wildebeest calves are birthed every day from January to the end of February. They'll be up and walking within about 15 minutes of being alive. Soon after birth, they re-join the herd in an attempt to avoid being too vulnerable to predators, which are always in the vicinity.
The onset of the rains means an abundance of food for the herbivores. Wildebeest will stick around until the long rains stop in late April, with the main calving grounds located in the region southeast of Seronera.
Africa Travel Specialist
"Words alone cannot capture the vastness of the extraordinary Serengeti National Park, with its abundance of wildlife and quintessentially African landscape of rolling grassy savannah and dense bush. Visiting from December to March is an excellent choice as you get to explore the wide-open plains that become filled with adorable cubs, pups, calves, foals and fawns."
The Great Migration in the Serengeti, Tanzania (April—May)
PICTURED: A group of Grant's gazelles in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
After the wildebeest bear their young in February and March, the Serengeti migration season continues. Alongside the wildebeest herds are plains zebra – a key part of the Great Migration as they share resources and contribute to the overall ecosystem balance as grazers.
By May, columns of wildebeest can stretch for several kilometres as they congregate by the Moru Kopjes, close to Dunia Camp. Unforgettable balloon safaris can be arranged from here, lifting off from Seronera.
Between April—May, although the chances of rain are higher, there's less tourist traffic and – subsequently – a drop in prices. This is particularly handy if you're a solo traveller, as some camps lower their single supplements.
Crossing Rivers: Grumeti River & Mara River (June—July)
PICTURED: Big herd of wildebeest, Mara River, Great Migration, Kenya, Masai Mara National Park.
The Great Wildebeest Migration might be located in both the Western Corridor (western Serengeti) and northern Serengeti plains from early-May—mid-June. The herds in May are likely to be crossing the Grumeti River, presenting you with potentially spectacular river crossings.
Kirawira, Mbalageti Serengeti, &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp and the seasonal mobile camps are all perfectly positioned for spellbinding views of the river crossings.
June is known as the ‘shoulder season’. Being outside of ‘peak season’, prices are a little less expensive. It's also a great time of the year for birding in a greener landscape. Any rains are generally punctuated with blazing tropical sunshine and clear conditions.
As June moves into July, the herds continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier: the Mara River in northern Serengeti.
You might, once again, encounter tense scenes of wildebeest launching into the waters, trying to cross as crocodiles close in and big cats and hyenas wait on the other side to pick off the weaker individuals.
The Mara River wildebeest crossings are among the most exciting wildlife events to be witnessed anywhere in the world – a real lifetime bucket list travel experience.
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara, Kenya (July—October)
PICTURED: Herd of Thomson's gazelles, Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya, Africa.
By July, the Kenya migration season arrives following the Mara River crossing.
A continuation of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, the Masai Mara National Reserve comprises 1,510 km² of open savannah and rolling grasslands on the edge of the Rift Valley. It encompasses the national reserve and the adjacent private concessions, where the game is equally abundant, but where the visitor numbers are much lower.
Visiting the concession areas therefore provide guests with a more intimate experience.
Instead of the 20-30 vehicles that may gather around a big cat sighting in the national reserve, you'll see no more than 3-4 in a private conservancy, which also reduces stress on wildlife. Game drives in the national reserve are restricted to the main roads during daylight hours, while in private conservancies, you can venture off-road and enjoy top-quality sightings of sought-after species.
When the river crossings have ended, the migrating columns have gradually moved eastward by September—October. But the herds will have to endure the perils of crossing the Mara River once more as they head southward.
Head of Rainbow
"A hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara plains is the most magical way of experiencing the Great Migration. Once you lift off gently into the sky, you'll quickly be awe-struck by the stunning sight of the vast plains which are teeming with wildebeest and zebra – the perfect photo op. It's a completely unique angle of what is a breathtaking natural wonder, and something you'll always remember."
The Great Migration Safari Experience
PICTURED: A tourist taking a picture of wildebeest and zebra, Masai Mara, Kenya.
What's a Great Migration safari experience like?
In a nutshell – an awe-inspiring, true lifetime wildlife travel bucket list experience!
In both Tanzania and Kenya, there are plenty of accommodation options as well as different ways in which to view this incredible natural phenomenon.
Luxury lodges and camps are manifold. Our East Africa Travel Specialist, Craig, highly recommends a stay in the uniquely placed Entim Mara Camp. After being treated to dramatic scenes featuring the migrating herds and their predators, retire to one of the comfortable, en-suite tents and enjoy the camp's warm, authentically Masai aesthetic.
PICTURED: A view of the Mara from a tent and deck at Entim Mara Camp. Image Credit: Entim Mara Camp.
Mobile camps offer a versatile and convenient way to experience a safari in the Serengeti.
Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp is located right in the heart of the action. From June—October at Kogatende in the far northern areas of the Serengeti, the camp sets up to view the herds as they run the gauntlet of crocodiles in the Bologonja and Mara rivers. Between December—March in the Small Marsh area of Ndutu (Ngorongoro Conservation Area), you can witness the Calving Season. While visiting, you'll inevitably delight in observing new-born calves, which attract dramatic predator activity.
Speak with our Travel Specialists to tailor your wildebeest migration safari. They can help bring your travel aspirations to life, planning every stage of your journey.
The Great Migration Safari Holidays
PICTURED: Tourists on safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya, Great Migration.
An excellent example of a Great Migration safari bespoke individual itinerary is our Kenya Great Migration Safari, with prices starting from £4,595 per person for seven nights. This itinerary is designed to locate you in a prime position to watch the herds and their associated predators.
We also offer a tailor-made Tanzania Great Migration Safari example itinerary with prices starting from £6,350 per person for seven nights. Explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobab trees and huge elephant population, before heading into central Serengeti for two fantastic full days of game viewing. Additionally, relax by Lake Manyara along the Rift Valley.
4 Tips for Planning Your Great Migration Safari
PICTURED: A view of wildebeest in the Serengeti during a private drinks experience. Image Credit: Nimali Mara.
1. Book as early as possible, at least a year in advance, to secure your preferred lodges and camps such as the remote Nimali Mara. The more sought-after accommodation options fill up very quickly, even though there are many alternatives to choose from.
2. Arrange your travel dates carefully to optimise your chances of enjoying the Great Migration.
3. Avoid crowds by choosing private conservancies.
4. Diversify your game viewing by ending your Great Migration safari at a lodge or camp that's located away from the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, such as Amboseli and/or Laikipia – or pair it with a beach break in Mauritius or Zanzibar.
Experience The Great Migration, Africa's Ever-Moving Natural Wonder, with Rainbow
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