Track 2 million wildebeest across East Africa. Month-by-month location guide, best camps, river crossing hotspots, and booking tips for 2025–2026.
Tracking the Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth
Every year, approximately 2 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebra, and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle embark on a 3,000-kilometre circular journey through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. It's the largest mammal migration on Earth — and it's been happening for over a million years.
Month-by-Month Migration Map
January–March: Southern Serengeti (Calving Season)
Location: Ndutu, southern Serengeti plains
What happens: Up to 8,000 calves born per day. Predators — lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs — feast on the vulnerable newborns. It's dramatic, raw, and extraordinary.
Best camps: &Beyond Ndutu, Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp, Sanctuary Kusini
April–May: Central Serengeti (The Move North)
Location: Seronera, central Serengeti
What happens: The long rains begin. Mega-herds form and start moving northwest. Dramatic thunderstorms create incredible photographic conditions.
Best camps: Four Seasons Serengeti, Dunia Camp
June: Western Corridor (River Drama Begins)
Location: Grumeti River area
What happens: The herds reach the Grumeti River. Massive Nile crocodiles wait. The first river crossings of the year are often chaotic and spectacular.
Best camps: Singita Grumeti, &Beyond Grumeti
July–August: Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara (Peak Crossings)
Location: Kogatende (northern Serengeti), Masai Mara (Kenya)
What happens: This is it — the main event. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest plunge into the Mara River, facing crocodiles, strong currents, and sheer cliffs. Some crossings involve 50,000+ animals. The spectacle is almost beyond comprehension.
Best camps: &Beyond Kichwa Tembo, Angama Mara, Governors' Camp, Entim Mara
September–October: Masai Mara (Migration Continues)
Location: Throughout the Mara
What happens: Herds spread across the Mara's golden plains. Multiple river crossings continue. Lion prides are at their most active, hunting wildebeest.
Best camps: Angama Mara, Mara Plains Camp, Sala's Camp
November–December: Return South
Location: Southern Serengeti
What happens: The short rains trigger the return south. By December, the herds are back in the southern plains, and the cycle begins again.
Best camps: Sanctuary Kusini, Nomad Serengeti
Migration Safari Tips
- Book 12–18 months ahead for July–October peak season
- Choose mobile camps that physically relocate to follow the herds
- Stay 4+ nights — crossings are unpredictable and you need flexibility
- Combine Serengeti + Mara for crossings from both sides of the border
- Don't skip calving season (Jan–Mar) — it's spectacular, cheaper, and less crowded
