The Great Migration

FOLLOWING THE WILDEBEEST ACROSS EAST AFRICA

Two million animals. One continuous movement. Timing is everything.

The Great Migration is not a single event. It’s a year-round cycle of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle moving between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing. Where you go and when changes the experience entirely.

This is less about “seeing the Migration” and more about being in the right place at the right time.

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

KENYA OR TANZANIA – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Kenya - Maasai Mara

Tanzania - Serengeti

Peak period

July – October

December – March (calving) , June (western corridor) , Oct–Nov (north)

Signature moment

Mara River crossings

Calving season & open plains movement

Landscape

Rolling grasslands

Vast open plains, varied ecosystems

Density

Higher concentration during crossings

More spread out over wider areas

Experience style

Shorter, dramatic visits

Broader, more expansive safari

Best for

River crossings & high predator action

Calving season & quieter, wider spaces

More about Kenya

More about Tanzania

The Migration moves through both countries. Each offers a distinct perspective.

WHAT MAKES THIS EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT

This is an experience shaped by nature’s rhythm, where no two days feel the same.

It’s movement. Constant adjustment. Reading conditions. Some days are dramatic. Some are quiet. The key is positioning - not chasing headlines.

We build Migration itineraries around season, herd location and camp access - not generic calendar dates.

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KENYA – THE MARA RIVER CROSSINGS

Between July and October, herds gather at the Mara River. Crossings are unpredictable. They can happen in minutes or take hours. Crocodiles wait. Predators follow the herds.

The Maasai Mara also offers private conservancies adjacent to the main reserve, fewer vehicles, off-road access, walking safaris and night drives.

WHAT KENYA PAIRS WELL WITH

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and/or Uganda

Laikipia for rhino and private conservancy

Extend the migration in Tanzania

The Kenyan coast for a beach finish

TANZANIA – THE SERENGETI CYCLE

The Serengeti offers scale. The southern plains (January–March) host calving season, thousands of wildebeest born within weeks. Predator density is high.

As the herds move north and west, mobile camps track their progress.

Tanzania allows for longer, more varied safari routing, combining central, southern and northern Serengeti regions depending on the season.

WHAT TANZANIA PAIRS WELL WITH

Zanzibar coast

Ngorongoro Crater

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

A Southern Africa contrast
(Botswana or South Africa)

WHEN TO GO

The Migration is year-round, but different regions peak at different times.

January – March: Southern Serengeti (calving)
April – June: Central & Western Serengeti
July – October: Northern Serengeti & Maasai Mara (river crossings)
November – December: Herds moving south again

We advise based on what you want to experience.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the best time to see the Great Migration?

It depends on what you want to experience. River crossings usually take place from July to October, while calving season in the southern Serengeti runs from January to March, each offering a very different feel to the journey.

Are river crossings guaranteed?

No, they are never guaranteed. Crossings are unpredictable and happen on the animals’ terms, which is part of what makes them so special to witness.

Is the Migration crowded?

At certain crossing points there can be more vehicles, especially in peak season. We prioritise camps and conservancies that offer a more private, less crowded experience.

How many nights should I spend?

A minimum of three to four nights in one region is recommended to allow time for movement and sightings. Longer stays work well when combining different areas.

Is Kenya or Tanzania better?

Neither is better. They offer different moments within the same annual cycle, depending on where the herds are at that time.

The Great Migration.