If you’ve ever seen a photo of thousands of wildebeest thundering across a river, crocodiles waiting below, you’ve seen the Great Migration — and you’ve probably wondered when to book a trip to see it yourself. The truth is, the migration isn’t a single event you can circle on a calendar. It’s a year-round, roughly 1,000-kilometre loop of over a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebra, and countless gazelle, moving constantly in search of fresh grass. The herds are always somewhere in the Serengeti ecosystem — the question is simply where, and what you want to see when you arrive.

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown to help you plan.

January – March: Calving Season, Ndutu & Southern Serengeti

The migration year effectively begins on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area, on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Roughly half a million calves are born here in a matter of weeks, with several thousand arriving every day at the peak. It’s an intense, fast-moving nursery — and predators know it. Lion, cheetah, and hyena sightings are frequent and dramatic. By March, the calves are stronger and the herds begin drifting, but the southern plains are still the place to be.

Best for: newborn wildebeest, high predator activity, dense herds in a compact area.

April – May: The Long Rains & the Push North

As the short rains give way to the long rains, the herds start moving northwest through the central Serengeti, around the Seronera area, and on toward the Western Corridor. This is the green season — landscapes are lush, fewer vehicles are on the roads, and rates at many camps drop. It’s a quieter, more atmospheric time to visit, even if the herds themselves are more spread out.

Best for: value travel, dramatic scenery, fewer crowds.

June: Western Corridor & the Grumeti River

By June, the herds are moving in growing numbers through the Western Corridor toward the Grumeti River, building density ahead of the crossing season. This is where the drama starts to build — smaller crossings can happen here, a preview of what’s coming further north.

Best for: early river-crossing action without peak-season crowds.

July – September: The Mara River Crossings

This is the postcard moment most travellers picture: herds massed at the Mara River, plunging in against the current while crocodiles wait. Crossings continue through the northern Serengeti and into Kenya’s Masai Mara, with the most intense, concentrated action typically in August and September. The northern Serengeti at this time of year is remote and wild, with noticeably fewer vehicles than the more famous Masai Mara crossing points.

Best for: the classic river-crossing spectacle, peak wildlife drama.

October – December: The Return South

As the northern grass is grazed down, the herds begin their long journey back south, crossing the Mara River again before spreading out across the eastern and southern Serengeti. By November and December, the short rains arrive and the herds are once more heading toward Ndutu — setting up the next calving season and starting the cycle over again.

Best for: dramatic long-grass landscapes, quieter parks, fewer tourists.

So, When Should You Actually Go?

There’s no wrong time to see the migration — only different versions of it. If you want newborn calves and predator action, January to March. If you want the river crossings everyone talks about, July to September. If you’re after a quieter, greener, better-value trip, April to June is worth a serious look.

Because the migration follows rainfall rather than a fixed date, timing can shift by several weeks from year to year — which is exactly why it helps to plan with people who track the herds’ movement season to season, rather than book against a generic calendar.

Ready to plan your migration safari? Take a look at our 7-Day Great Migration Safari or 6-Day Calving Season Safari, or get in touch with our team and we’ll help you choose the right camps, timing, and route for the experience you’re after.