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March 4, 2026 . Patience AtuhaireThe Great Migration is not a single event but a year-round loop. Knowing where the herds are tells you exactly when to travel.
How the migration moves
Over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra follow the rains in a clockwise circuit between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara. The herds are always moving, so the question is which chapter you want to witness.
January to March: calving
The herds gather on the southern Serengeti's short-grass plains, where around half a million calves are born in a few weeks. It is the best time for dramatic predator action.
July to October: the crossings
This is the period most travellers dream of, when the herds reach the Mara and brave the crocodile-filled Mara River. Crossings are unpredictable and unforgettable, and the Mara is at its busiest.
Reading the rains
The migration follows rainfall, which shifts year to year, so no calendar is guaranteed. Building in a few days at your chosen location dramatically improves your odds of a crossing.
Quick takeaways
- Calving: January to March in the southern Serengeti.
- River crossings: July to October in the Maasai Mara.
- Stay 3+ days near the river to improve crossing odds.
- Timing shifts with the rains; flexibility helps.
