What is the Great Migration, when does it cross into Kenya, and how do you plan a safari around it? Everything you need to know about the world's greatest wildlife event.
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a year-round circular movement of approximately:
- 1.5 million wildebeest
- 350,000 Thomson's gazelle
- 200,000 zebra
- 12,000 eland
…through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem that spans Tanzania and Kenya. They follow the rains in search of fresh grazing, and in doing so, they create the most dramatic wildlife spectacle on Earth.
Where are the herds, when?
| Month | Where the herds are | Highlight | |-------|---------------------|-----------| | Jan–Feb | Southern Serengeti (Tanzania) | Calving season, half a million calves born in 3 weeks | | Mar–Apr | Central Serengeti, moving west | Predator action chasing newborns | | May–Jun | Western Corridor (Tanzania) | Grumeti River crossings | | Jul | Northern Serengeti, first into Kenya | First Mara River crossings | | Aug–Sep | Maasai Mara (Kenya) | Peak crossing season, most dramatic month | | Oct | Mara, beginning south | Final crossings as herds head back | | Nov–Dec | Returning to Serengeti via Loliondo | Calm |
Where to be, and when, for the crossings
The most dramatic moments are the Mara River crossings in August and September. The wildebeest amass on the riverbank, often for hours, before one (called the "judas wildebeest") makes the leap and the rest stampede after, straight into ambush territory of crocodiles and waiting lions.
There are roughly a dozen named crossing points. Top-tier camps like Sentinel Mara, Mara Engai and Mara Bushtops sit close to the most active crossings. Your guide's ability to read herd behaviour and respond fast matters more than vehicle speed.
The honest truth about crossings
You may not see one. A river crossing isn't scheduled, herds may build up for hours and then back away. Some travellers see five crossings in three days; others see none in a week. To maximise chances:
- Travel August or early September
- Stay at least 3 nights in the reserve (not just conservancies)
- Choose a river-frontage camp
- Have a patient guide willing to wait
Booking timing
For peak crossing season (August–September), book 8–12 months ahead. Top camps sell out by January for the following August. Conservancy camps slightly easier, but expect to pay $700–$1,200 per person per night for the prime ones.
Should I go for the crossings or quieter months?
Go for the crossings if: It's a lifetime trip, you can budget $5,000+ pp, you can book 8–12 months ahead.
Go in February–March instead if: You hate crowds, photography matters more than spectacle, you're budget-conscious. The Mara is gloriously empty, and the leopards, lions and resident herds are still all there.
