The short answer
- Calving
- January to February, Ndutu
- Grumeti crossings
- Around June, Western Corridor
- Mara River crossings
- July to October, Kogatende
- Nights to allow
- At least 3 in the right area
The Great Migration is a loop of around 1.5 million wildebeest, with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, following the rain around the Serengeti ecosystem. Kenya's Masai Mara gets the herds for a few months in the dry season; Tanzania has them the rest of the year.
The key to a migration safari in Tanzania is staying in the right part of the Serengeti. The park is huge, about 14,750 square kilometres, and the wrong area can mean a long drive to find the herds.
Where the herds are, month by month
Pick a month to see where the herds usually are and where to base yourself.
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
August
- Base in the Serengeti
- Kogatende, north
- River crossings
- Peak season
Peak migration in the Masai Mara, with river crossings most days somewhere along the Mara River.
Where the herds are: Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
The four chapters of the migration
| Months | Chapter | Where to stay | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to March | Calving | Ndutu and the southern plains (in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area) | Around half a million calves born in a few weeks; lions, cheetahs and hyenas on the hunt |
| April to May | The long rains | Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Herds spread out and moving north; many camps closed; very quiet |
| June | The Western Corridor | Grumeti area | Herds gather before crossing the Grumeti River, home to huge crocodiles |
| July to October | Mara River crossings | Northern Serengeti (Kogatende, Lamai) | Dramatic crossings back and forth, often fewer vehicles than on the Kenyan side |
Typical timing only. The herds follow the rain, and timing shifts by weeks from year to year.
Calving season at Ndutu
Every year, usually from late January to early March, the herds give birth on the short grass plains around Ndutu, where the volcanic soil gives the grass minerals the mothers need. Calves can stand within minutes, but predators are everywhere, and sightings of cheetahs and lions hunting are among the best in Africa.
Ndutu sits inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, just south of the Serengeti boundary, so camps there pay the Ngorongoro fee rather than Serengeti fees. Off road driving is allowed in parts of the Ndutu area, which helps for following hunts.
Tip: Calving is the best value migration season: it falls outside the July to October peak, and it's easy to combine with Zanzibar, which is dry in January and February.
River crossings in the northern Serengeti
- When: Usually July to October, peaking in August and September.
- Where: The Mara River near Kogatende and Lamai, a few kilometres from the Kenyan border.
- Getting there: About 8 hours' drive from Ngorongoro, so most visitors fly to the Kogatende airstrip from Arusha or the central Serengeti.
- Tanzania or Kenya side? The same herds cross the same river. The Tanzanian side is usually less crowded, the Kenyan side is closer to Nairobi and cheaper to reach. See the Great Migration in Kenya.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Great Migration in Tanzania?
Almost all year. The herds calve in the southern Serengeti from December to March, move through the centre and west from April to June, and reach the northern Serengeti from July to October.
What is the best month to see calving in the Serengeti?
February, when most calves are born. Late January and early March can also be excellent.
Is the migration better in Tanzania or Kenya?
Both see the same herds. Tanzania has them for longer and offers calving season; Kenya's Masai Mara is easier to reach for the July to October river crossings.
How many days do I need to see a river crossing?
Allow at least three nights in the northern Serengeti between July and October. Crossings can't be predicted, so more time means better odds.
Tanzania month by month
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