Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in the world to witness the wildebeest migration. Witnessing more than one million wildebeest make their annual journey is truly an awe-inspiring spectacle. From December until May, herds of wildebeest are largely concentrated in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu region, giving birth on the short grass plains there.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest annual gathering of animals in the world. Not only does it provide an awe-inspiring spectacle, but it plays a crucial role in ecosystems as the nutrient-rich grasses they graze provide sustenance for many other creatures. Furthermore, their migration helps regenerate various types of flora and fauna by suppressing fire frequency in woodland areas.

During the Great Wildebeest Migration, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra traverse Northern Tanzania and Kenya in search of greener grass and better water sources. Every year, over one million grazers make this migration across Northern Tanzania and Kenya in an observable pattern – making it one of the world’s most breathtaking wildlife events.

Experience the grandeur of The Great Wildebeest Migration, an annual spectacle featuring millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrating north from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve.

What is the Great Migration?

Images and scenes of vast herds of wildebeest thundering across East Africa’s croc-filled rivers and grassy plains, stalked by lions, often come to mind when we think of the Great Migration.

Yet these are just the prelude to one of the world’s greatest wildlife migrations.

The Great Migration is an endless circle in which life is celebrated in its purest form.

This cycle begins in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and ends in Kenya’s Masai Mara. You can witness this amazing phenomenon from our camps, Namiri Plains, Dunia, or Sayari Camp; Rekero or Naboisho, both located within Masai Mara Conservancy).

Millions of wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, and other herd animals make the annual journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing lands. Their journey depends on East Africa’s unpredictable rains; sometimes, they disperse between regions throughout the year.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is a spectacular circular migration of over one million animals that traverses thousands of kilometers around the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of food and water. This captivating event makes for one of Africa’s most popular safari experiences, drawing visitors year-round to witness this unforgettable spectacle.

In the short dry season of southern Serengeti, grass plains begin to dry up, and herds move in search of greener pastures. They may split into smaller family groups foraging for food, or they might continue roaming as a collective and move south as the rainy season arrives.

When they leave, they do not know where their journey will lead them or what conditions await them at their new destination. But their departure would forever alter the social and political geography of every city they leave behind.

How the Great Migration moves throughout the year

Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles make an annual circular migration between Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. Along the way, they must brave rivers filled with crocodiles as well as predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of Africa’s most captivating wildlife spectacles, providing viewers with an experience that will last a lifetime! No matter if you are an expert or novice nature observer, witnessing this event is sure to be one of life’s greatest thrills!

• The Birthing Season

Many are familiar with the iconic river crossings of the great wildebeest migration, often described as one of nature’s greatest spectacles as thousands upon thousands of herds traverse muddy rivers in an exciting predator-prey drama, some parts of this cycle go less well-known and underrated: birthing season.

In January and February each year, thousands of wildebeest calves congregate on the short grass plains of Serengeti national park to give birth. During this time, up to 8,000 calves are born daily – attracting predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs who hunt these herds for food.

The lush, short grasses of the southern Serengeti provide a perfect environment for raising young wildebeest. In the months leading up to the calving season, thousands of zebra and gazelle provide invaluable assistance by eating longer, less appetizing grasses that would otherwise go to waste. This provides essential nutrition for these budding herbivores!

• The Rainy Season

The Southern Serengeti’s calving season is truly spectacular – thousands and thousands of baby wildebeest are born during this period. However, due to the abundance of predators, tracking their migration can be challenging due to its sheer scale.

After caving, the herds begin their migration north from the short-grass plains in southern Serengeti towards the Western Corridor and Grumeti River. Crossing this river can be one of the most dangerous obstacles along their journey as part of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

• The Dry Season

In June, herds of animals gather on the southern banks of the Grumeti River for an epic journey north. These crossings can be a true test of strength and often represent one of many crocodile-infested rivers they will come across on their journey northward.

In late summer and autumn, zebra, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle, and other species join them as they traverse lush pastures in Masai Mara. By October, however, these herds return south through western Loliondo before entering Serengeti National Park’s Lobo region.

• The Crossing of the Grumeti River

One of the most captivating scenes during the Great Migration is the Crossing of the Grumeti River in June and July. Herds take a risky detour through this crocodile-infested river in Western Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, on their way to Masai Mara plains.

Every stage of the migration offers wildlife viewing opportunities, but none quite compare to crossing the Grumeti River. Even with numerous Nile crocodiles waiting on its banks, wildebeest must brave through turbulent waters to stay alive.

• The Crossing of the Mara River

Wildebeest herds must first cross the Grumeti River in Tanzania during June and July, which represents an enormous barrier that must be conquered before migrating further north. Once they have crossed the Mara River in late July or August, they continue their journey through Serengeti National Park.

The herds then migrate north, up and around in a clockwise direction through Serengeti National Park, into Masai Mara in Kenya before returning to Ndutu at the end of November. It is during this period that many iconic photographs are taken as thousands of wildebeest cross over the Mara River in an effort to reach greener grasses.

When is the Best Time to Visit Safari and Witness the Magnificent Wildebeest Migration?

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of Africa’s most incredible natural spectacles, so it’s essential to find the right time of year to witness it. Not only is it awe-inspiring to behold, but you also get an up close and personal look at these remarkable creatures that call this landscape home.

June is the ideal month to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration if you want to witness this epic event up close and personal. During this month, herds of animals move from short grass plains in southern Serengeti to longer grass areas around Moru Kopjes and west of Seronera. Here, hundreds of wildebeest begin forming columns that can stretch up to 40 kilometers / 25 miles long.

July is an ideal time to witness the migratory herds of wildebeest as they traverse central and western Serengeti. Here, this massive migration reaches its peak, often consisting of hundreds of thousands of animals, including zebra, Thomson’s gazelles, and Grant’s gazelles.

At this time of year, keep an eye out for huge herds stretching all the way to the horizon and the first river crossings, which take place in Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo. Watching these majestic animals struggle over steep banks of the Grumeti River can be truly thrilling as they try their luck at navigating what could prove a fatal obstacle.

September is an idyllic time to be in the area, as thousands of wildebeest begin crossing over the Mara River from Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve into Serengeti National Park. This can be an awe-inspiring sight with its immense numbers, often accompanied by predators such as lions and hyenas.

This is the prime time to view the wildebeest migration, as it occurs during the calving season. At this stage, mothers of these creatures create a kind of protective wall around their young to shield them from larger predators like lions and hyenas who love to prey on babies.

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