Migration Timing Intelligence

Nature Sets the Timing. We Help You Read It

Watch the Great Migration Journey

See how the herds move with the rains, grazing, and seasons across the Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem

Typical Position | Movement | Conditions | Safari Experience

January

Typical Position: Southern Serengeti & Ndutu Plains
Movement: The Great Migration is concentrated across the short-grass southern plains as the herds take advantage of fresh grazing.
Conditions: Lush green landscapes, low dust, warm days and occasional short showers.
Safari Experience: Exceptional wildlife viewing, with large herds, abundant resident wildlife and excellent opportunities to see lions and cheetahs against the green plains. January is also a superb month for photography.

High Season

15–28°C

Warm & Dry

Calving, Game Drives

Calving Begins

February

Typical Position: Southern Serengeti & Ndutu
Movement: The herds remain concentrated in the southern plains for the peak calving period.
Conditions: Green, short-grass plains with generally favorable game-viewing conditions and occasional showers.
Safari Experience: One of the most dramatic periods of the year. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born, attracting intense predator activity. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas are particularly active, while the newborns create unforgettable family and behavioral sightings

High Season

16–29°C

Warm & Dry

Calving, Predators

Peak Calving

March

Typical Position: Southern Serengeti, gradually spreading toward Central Serengeti
Movement: The herds begin responding to changing grazing conditions, with gradual movement away from the southern calving grounds.
Conditions: Vibrant green scenery, scattered rain and excellent visibility.
Safari Experience: A quieter alternative to the peak migration months. Predator numbers remain strong, while lions and cheetahs are frequently seen around the region’s distinctive kopjes. Excellent for photographers seeking lush landscapes and fewer vehicles.

Shoulder Season

17–28°C

Warm, Wet

Calving, Birding

Green Landscapes

April

Typical Position: Southern & Central Serengeti
Movement: The migration gradually begins its northward journey, with herds starting to spread across the central and western areas.
Conditions: Deep green landscapes and the main rainy period, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms.
Safari Experience: Ideal for travelers seeking solitude. Wildlife viewing can be exceptional, predator activity remains strong and visitor numbers are generally lower. The combination of dramatic skies, green plains and abundant wildlife makes April particularly attractive for photographers.

Low Season

17–27°C

Wet & Humid

Birding, Photography

Lush Wilderness

May

Typical Position: Central Serengeti → Western Corridor
Movement: Large herds begin their major northward movement. Wildebeest gather into long columns and move through the Central and Western Serengeti.
Conditions: Rain begins to ease, temperatures remain comfortable and the landscape starts transitioning from green to golden.
Safari Experience: A fascinating period of movement and energy. Male wildebeest enter the rut, creating dramatic mating displays and territorial behavior. With fewer tourists, May offers an excellent balance of migration activity and solitude.

Shoulder Season

16–26°C

Cool, Wet

Birding, Game Drives

Fewer Crowds

June

Typical Position: Western Serengeti & Grumeti River
Movement: The migration funnels into the Western Corridor before beginning its push toward the Northern Serengeti.
Conditions: Dry-season conditions begin, with clearer skies and increasingly golden vegetation.
Safari Experience: This is the beginning of the river-crossing story. The herds encounter the Grumeti River, where crocodiles create one of the migration’s first major natural obstacles. Wildlife becomes increasingly concentrated around permanent water sources.

High Season

14–25°C

Cool & Dry

Game Drives, Migration

Migration Builds

July

Typical Position: Northern Serengeti, approaching the Mara River
Movement: The herds continue northward, with some reaching the Mara River and beginning to cross into Kenya.
Conditions: Dry, sunny days, cooler mornings and evenings, and thinning grass.
Safari Experience: One of the classic Great Migration months. River crossings can begin, while thinner vegetation improves opportunities to spot leopards and other predators. However, crossings are unpredictable and require patience.

Peak Season

13–25°C

Cool & Dry

Migration, River Crossings

Mara Crossings

August

Typical Position: Northern Serengeti ↔ Maasai Mara
Movement: The migration is spread around the Mara River system, with herds repeatedly moving between grazing areas in Tanzania and Kenya.
Conditions: Dry, sunny and dusty, with limited rainfall and excellent visibility.
Safari Experience: Peak migration drama. Large herds, crocodile-filled rivers, dramatic crossings and intense predator-prey interactions make August one of the most sought-after safari periods. It is also one of the busiest

Peak Season

13–26°C

Cool & Dry

Migration, Big Cats

Peak Migration

September

Typical Position: Northern Serengeti & Maasai Mara
Movement: Herds continue moving around the Mara ecosystem, with crossing activity potentially continuing into the month.
Conditions: Dry-season conditions continue, with sparse vegetation and wildlife concentrated around remaining water sources.
Safari Experience: A superb balance of migration and predator viewing. Lions remain active around the herds, while thinning foliage makes leopards easier to spot. Later September can offer excellent wildlife viewing with fewer visitors than the peak August period.

Peak Season

14–27°C

Warm & Dry

Migration, Big Cats

Predator Action

October

Typical Position: Northern Serengeti & Maasai Mara, gradually turning south
Movement: The herds begin the gradual southward journey as conditions and rainfall patterns change. Late Mara crossings may still occur.
Conditions: Dry and increasingly warm, with occasional showers appearing toward the end of the month.
Safari Experience: One of the best months for travelers wanting excellent wildlife without peak-season crowds. Wildlife remains concentrated, predators are easier to spot and the northern Serengeti can feel remarkably peaceful.

Shoulder Season

16–28°C

Warm & Dry

Game Drives, Birding

Migration Ends

November

Typical Position: Northern Serengeti → Central & Eastern Serengeti
Movement: The short rains trigger the migration’s return toward the southern plains. Large herds begin moving rapidly south.
Conditions: Increasing rainfall, dramatic thunderstorms and rejuvenating vegetation.
Safari Experience: A spectacular transitional month. Dramatic storm clouds provide outstanding photographic backdrops, while predators continue following the returning herds. Visitor numbers are generally lower, creating a more intimate safari experience.

Shoulder Season

16–27°C

Warm, Short Rains

Birding, Photography

Migratory Birds

December

Typical Position: Southern & Eastern Serengeti
Movement: The migration completes its return to the southern plains, beginning the cycle once again.
Conditions: Fresh green grass, reduced dust and the return of the Green Season.
Safari Experience: The Serengeti becomes vibrant again as wildlife gathers across the southern and eastern plains. The first signs of the coming calving season begin to appear, while resident predators thrive among the abundant herds.

High Season

15–28°C

Warm, Green

Game Drives, Calving

Festive Safari

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