Timing
Planned Around the Herds
We match your dates to where the herds should be, from calving in Ndutu to crossings on the Mara, and adjust on the ground.
01°34′S 34°53′E Mara River · 10:40
Two Million Animals. One Journey.
Great Migration safari in Tanzania.
Follow the herds 12 Months a year
Plan My Migration Safari5-Star Rated · 20+ Years Following the Herds · Private Vehicle & Guide
What is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is the year-round movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, in a loop through Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara in search of grass and water. The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania. Key moments are calving in Ndutu from January to March, Grumeti River crossings around June, and Mara River crossings from July to October. Yera Journeys plans private migration safaris timed to where the herds are each month.
Why plan it with Yera
The Herds Never Stop. Your Safari Should Be Where They Are.
The migration moves with the rain, not the calendar. A safari booked in the wrong area can mean empty plains. Our founder and team have followed the herds season after season for over 20 years, and stay in touch with guides in the field.
We plan your route, camps and days around where the herds are likely to be when you travel, then keep you flexible on the ground so you reach the action.
The Great Migration
Two million animals. One endless journey. Be there when it happens.
What you get
Six Benefits of a Great Migration Safari With Yera
Camps
Sleep Close to the Action
Camps and lodges chosen for each season's location, including mobile camps that move with the herds.
Patience
Time to Wait for the Crossing
Crossings can take hours to start. With a private vehicle you can wait as long as it takes, without a group to hurry you.
Predators
Big Cats on the Hunt
Lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas follow the herds, giving you some of Africa's most dramatic wildlife moments.
Fly-in
Fly Straight to the Herds
Fly into the Serengeti from Arusha or Zanzibar and save long drives, with more days where the herds are.
Combine
Add the Crater and the Beach
Pair the migration with the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire or a few days in Zanzibar.
Great Migration month by month
Where Is the Great Migration Each Month?
The herds follow the rain, so timing can shift by a few weeks each year. This is the usual pattern.
| Month | Where the herds are | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| January | Southern Serengeti & Ndutu | Herds on green plains, calving begins |
| February | Southern Serengeti & Ndutu | Peak calving, thousands of births a day, big predator action |
| March | Southern Serengeti & Ndutu | Young calves, herds start to gather |
| April | Central Serengeti | Herds moving north-west in the long rains |
| May | Central & western Serengeti | Long columns on the move, the rut begins |
| June | Western Corridor | Grumeti River crossings with big crocodiles |
| July | Western & northern Serengeti | Herds arrive in the north, first Mara crossings |
| August | Northern Serengeti | Peak Mara River crossings |
| September | Northern Serengeti | Mara River crossings continue |
| October | Northern Serengeti | Last crossings, herds turn south |
| November | Eastern & central Serengeti | Herds head south with the short rains |
| December | Southern Serengeti | Herds return to the southern plains |
River crossings depend on the animals and the weather. We plan for the best chance, but no one can guarantee a crossing.
Migration highlights
Four Great Migration Moments to Plan Around
Calving Season
January to March in Ndutu. Thousands of calves are born each day, with lions and cheetahs close by.
The Great Trek
April to May. Endless columns of wildebeest move through the central Serengeti as the rut begins.
Grumeti Crossings
Around June in the Western Corridor, where giant crocodiles wait in the river.
Mara River Crossings
July to October in the northern Serengeti. The most dramatic wildlife spectacle on Earth.
Where you stay
Migration Camps and Lodges
Mobile camps
- Move with the herds each season
- Comfortable tents with en-suite bathrooms
- Closest you can sleep to the migration
Northern Serengeti
- Camps near the Mara River
- Best base for crossings, July to October
- Fly-in via Kogatende
Ndutu & the south
- Camps and lodges near the calving grounds
- Best base, December to March
- Close to the Ngorongoro Crater
Central Serengeti
- Lodges and camps around Seronera
- Great wildlife all year
- Good base for April to June
Available in Classic, Signature or Bespoke styles. We confirm every camp and its location in writing before you book.
At a glance
Great Migration Facts
| Animals | Over 1.5 million wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles |
|---|---|
| Where | Serengeti, Tanzania, and Maasai Mara, Kenya; most of the year in Tanzania |
| Calving season | January to March, Ndutu and southern Serengeti |
| Grumeti crossings | Around June, Western Corridor |
| Mara River crossings | July to October, northern Serengeti |
| Ideal length | 5 to 10 days |
| Getting there | From Arusha by road, or fly in from Arusha or Zanzibar |
| Styles | Classic, Signature or Bespoke |
Migration safaris
Great Migration Safaris for Every Month
Our promise
Plan With Confidence
No cost to start
Your migration safari proposal is free, with no obligation.
Revise until it's right
Change dates, camps and days before you confirm.
Clear price in writing
Every inclusion and exclusion stated before you pay.
Questions travellers ask
Great Migration FAQs
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
It depends on what you want to see. January to March for calving in Ndutu, around June for Grumeti River crossings, and July to October for Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti.
Where is the Great Migration right now?
It moves all year. Usually the herds are in the southern Serengeti from December to March, the central and western Serengeti from April to June, and the northern Serengeti from July to October. Message us for the latest update before you book.
When are the Mara River crossings?
Usually from July to October, with the most crossings in August and September, in the northern Serengeti.
Is the Great Migration better in Tanzania or Kenya?
The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania's Serengeti, including calving season and the Grumeti crossings. Kenya's Maasai Mara hosts the herds for part of the dry season. The northern Serengeti offers Mara River crossings with fewer vehicles.
Can you guarantee a river crossing?
No one can. Crossings depend on the animals and the weather. We plan your dates, camps and days for the best possible chance and give you time to wait at the river.
How many days do I need for a migration safari?
Five to ten days. Four or more nights in the Serengeti gives you time to find the herds, plus the Ngorongoro Crater or Tarangire on the way.
How many animals are in the Great Migration?
Over 1.5 million wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, close to two million animals in total.
Begin your journey
Let's Plan Your Great Migration Safari
Tell us your dates and what you want to see. A migration specialist replies within 24 hours.