Great Migration Safari Guide: When & Where | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Great Migration
Great Migration Safari Guide: When & Where | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Plan a Great Migration safari with our month-by-month guide to wildebeest calving, river crossings and the best parks to see it from.
Safari Information
Timing a Great Migration Safari
Over 1.5 million wildebeest move in a continuous loop through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Where they are depends on the month — but the migration is weather-driven and unpredictable, so we plan around the typical pattern for your travel month and stay flexible.
December – March: Calving season
The herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, where calves are born in large numbers and predators follow closely. Calving timing shifts with each year's rainfall, so we plan around current conditions rather than fixed dates.
April – June: Moving north
The herds trek north through the central Serengeti as the plains dry out, offering strong game viewing with fewer crowds.
July – October: River crossings
The dramatic Mara River crossings happen in the northern Serengeti — our most requested and earliest-booked season. Crossings are possible in this window but never guaranteed on any particular day.
November: Short rains return
The herds turn south again ahead of the short rains, passing back through the eastern and central Serengeti.
Southern calving vs northern crossings
Calving is best planned around the southern plains and Ndutu; river crossings are best planned around the northern Serengeti. The two are different trips in different seasons, and the right choice depends on your travel month and what you most want to see.
Camp location & travel-time trade-offs
Where you sleep shapes how much migration you see. A camp close to the herds' current region means less driving and more viewing, but seasonal camps open and close with the migration. We match your accommodation to the herd region for your month rather than assuming a single base works year-round.
Road vs fly-in options
A road safari reaches the Serengeti overland from Arusha or Moshi, with game viewing along the way. A fly-in sector skips the long drive and maximises time in the parks, and many guests drive one way and fly the other. Fly-in sectors depend on airstrip, schedule and seat availability, confirmed in your quotation.
Movements are unpredictable
The migration is a continuous, weather-driven movement — not a fixed timetable. River crossings and herd positions cannot be guaranteed on any particular day. We plan around the typical pattern for your month and build in flexibility.
Safari Season Calendar
4 Day Safaris
5 Day Safaris
Extended Safari Itineraries (6+ Days)
Fly-in Safaris
Northern Tanzania National Parks