Serengeti Migration Calendar: Where to See the Wildebeests Each Month
The Serengeti migration calendar follows the year-round movement of wildebeest, zebra and other grazing animals through the Serengeti ecosystem. The herds do not follow fixed dates or a single route. Their movement is closely linked to rainfall, fresh grass and water, so their exact location can change from one year to another.
The migration in Serengeti National Park is best understood as a continuous annual cycle. From January to March, large herds concentrate in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains for the calving season. From April to June, they generally move through the central and western Serengeti, with the Western Corridor and Grumeti area becoming important parts of the route. From around July to October, the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara become the main areas for the migration, including the possibility of Mara River crossings. The herds then begin moving south again during November and December. The migration maps of TANAPA show the same broad seasonal movement across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
There is therefore no single month that represents the entire Great Migration in Serengeti. The best time to visit Serengeti for a migration safari depends on what you want to see. So choose among, calving and newborn wildebeest, predator activity, large herds on the move, Grumeti River activity or Mara River crossings. This Serengeti migration calendar breaks down each month, showing the usual herd location, migration phase, wildlife experience and the areas to consider when planning a safari.
The migration dates below are seasonal guidelines rather than guaranteed dates. Rainfall and grazing conditions can cause the herds to move earlier or later than the typical pattern.
The Serengeti Migration Calendar
| Month | Location | Great Migration Activity | Wildlife Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Southern Serengeti | Calving | Newborn wildebeest |
| February | Ndutu | Peak calving | Predator activity |
| March | Southern Serengeti | Calving continues | Predator sightings |
| April | Central Serengeti | Northward movement | Herd movement |
| May | Western Serengeti | Grumeti region | Riverine wildlife |
| June | Western / Northern Serengeti | Northward movement | Large herds |
| July | Northern Serengeti | Mara movement | Early crossings |
| August | Northern Serengeti / Mara | River crossings | Large herds |
| September | Mara | Migration | River crossings |
| October | Mara / Northern Serengeti | Migration / return | Herds and predators |
| November | Central Serengeti | Southward movement | Returning herds |
| December | Southern Serengeti | Arrival | Pre-calving grazing |
