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Most travellers picture the Great Migration as a single dramatic moment — wildebeest leaping across the Mara River, crocodiles in the water below. That moment is real, and it is unforgettable, but it is only one chapter in a year-round movement that loops 800 kilometres through the Serengeti ecosystem.
If you want to see the migration, you need to be in the right place in the right month. Here is our month-by-month guide for 2026.
The herds are in the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti and northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth in a synchronised three-week window in February — and the predators know it. This is the most dramatic predator-prey action of the year.
Where to stay: Mobile camps near Ndutu, or lodges in the southern Serengeti.
The long rains begin. The herds start moving north and west, slowly, often in massive columns visible from a small aircraft. Game drives are excellent, prices are lower, and most camps are still open.
The herds reach the Western Corridor and the dramatic Grumeti River. The river crossings here are less famous than the Mara crossings but every bit as dramatic — and far less crowded.
Where to stay: Camps in the Grumeti area.
This is the famous one. The herds reach the Mara River in the northern Serengeti and must cross it to reach the better grazing on the Kenyan side. Crocodiles wait. Lions wait. The crossings are unpredictable, terrifying, and unforgettable. To see them, you must be in the right area at the right time.
Where to stay: Mobile or permanent camps in the northern Serengeti / Kogatende area. Book at least 6 to 12 months in advance.
The herds linger in the north and slowly begin moving back south. October is a beautiful, quieter month with great game viewing.
The short rains bring the herds back south to the calving grounds. By late December, they are once again in the Ndutu area, and the cycle begins.
The single most important thing about a migration safari is being in the right region for the right month. We spend a long time on this when planning your trip. Tell us your dates and we will tell you exactly where to go.
Let Amazing Africa Safari help you plan a safari or climb that feels effortless, authentic, and unforgettable.
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