Serengeti Great Migration Location Guide: Month-by-Month Timing & River Crossings

The Great Migration is the largest movement of overland wildlife on Earth. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, and 300,000 gazelles travel in a continuous clock-wise cycle across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, driven by seasonal rains and fresh grazing grass.

**Location:** Southern Serengeti & Ndutu Conservation Area During these months, the mega-herds settle on the nutrient-rich short grass plains. Over 8,000 calves are born daily during a 2-to-3 week peak in February! This massive concentration of young animals attracts dense predator activity—lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. - **Best For:** Predator hunting action, newborn calves, warm safari weather.

**Location:** Central Serengeti (Seronera) & Western Corridor As the rains end in the south, the herds move northwards through Central Serengeti into the Western Corridor near the Grumeti River. This period coincides with the 'long rains' in Tanzania, offering discounted green-season lodge rates.

**Location:** Western Serengeti & Grumeti Reserve The herds gather along the banks of the Grumeti River. Here, animals brave giant Nile crocodiles to reach greener pastures on the opposite shore.

**Location:** Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) & Kenya Maasai Mara This is the most famous phase of the migration. Thousands of wildebeest plunge down steep riverbanks into the Mara River, dodging giant crocodiles while panicking herds surge across. - **Best For:** Epic river crossing footage, crisp dry season wildlife viewing.

**Location:** Northern & Eastern Serengeti With the arrival of short rains, the herds trek back south through eastern Serengeti to prepare for the next calving season in Ndutu.