The Great Migration in the Serengeti: An Epic Journey of Survival

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Published on 1st January, 2023

The Great Migration is an annual event that takes place in the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Tanzania and Kenya. It involves the movement of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other herd animals in search of food and water. The Great Migration is driven by the rain and grass patterns in the Serengeti, which dictate the movement of the animals. During the dry season, the herds move to the southern and western parts of the Serengeti in search of water and grass. As the rains arrive, they move north and east, following the fresh grass growth. The journey of the Great Migration covers a distance of over 1,500 miles, and takes the animals from the southern plains of the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and back again. This article covers in detail the seasonal movement of the great wildebeest migration

From December to April migration is in Ndutu region

wildebeest calving in Ndutu region

As the Great Migration in the Serengeti is driven by the search for food and water, and the primary calving grounds for the wildebeest and zebra are located in the Ndutu region in the southeast of the Serengeti National Park. The wildebeest and zebra move to this region in November and December, following the rains that bring new grass growth to the area. The calving season typically takes place in February, and the Ndutu region is a popular destination for visitors who want to witness the birth of newborn wildebeest and zebra. The best time to visit the Ndutu region and the southeast plains of the Serengeti is typically in February, during the calving season.

During the May and June migration is in Western Serengeti

Wildebeest crossing the Grumeti River

After giving birth to their newborns and feasting on the short, green grasses of the southeast Serengeti, the wildebeest begin preparing for their 800-kilometer journey to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park. This epic journey typically begins in late April or early May, and involves a column of animals as long as 40 kilometers, moving in a clockwise direction around the Serengeti. During their migration, the animals face many challenges, including crossing the Grumeti River, which is home to large crocodiles that prey on the stragglers and the weak. The Great Migration is an incredible spectacle to behold, and a safari to the Serengeti during this time is an experience that you will never forget

From July to September migration in Northern Serengeti

Widebeest crossing river Mara

The herd travels further north after overcoming the crossing Grumeti River challenge, they begin to cross the Mara River between July and early August.
Many famous images of the Great Migration were captured near the Mara River crossing. Following this crossing, the herd migrates to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve and the northwest plains. If you want to view the Great Migration as the herd migrates into the Masai Mara in Kenya, you should avoid going to Serengeti National Park between the months of August and September. However, travel patterns reveal that around half of the herd remains in the Mara Serengeti region on the Tanzanian side.
From the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya, wildebeest might take hours to 3 days to cross the Mara River.

During October and November migration heading Southern Serengeti

Wildebeest in Serengeti National park

The herd must at some point cross the Mara River again before beginning the journey back in a southerly direction. This is because the herd is travelling northward over the river. Normally, this occurs in October, although it can also happen earlier.
The herd will go via the Lobo region and northern plains during this time.
If you want to view the migration in comparatively peace and quiet, now would be the time to visit this area of Serengeti National Park because it is less frequently visited. In late November, the wildebeest make their way back to the calving grounds and short-grass plains near Ndutu. The Great Migration then restarts from this point.

Migration Map summary

Map summaries the great wildebeest migration

In conclusion, the Great Migration in the Serengeti is a natural phenomenon that is truly awe-inspiring and offers a unique opportunity to witness the beauty and majesty of Africa's wildlife in their natural habitat. If you have the chance to visit the Serengeti during the Great Migration, don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Frequently asked questions

The great wildebeest migration is throughout the year when about 1.5 million wildebeest move from Southern Serengeti (Tanzania) to Maasai Mara (Kenya) and get back to Serengeti. Although most people confuse the great wildebeest migration and wildebeest crossing river Mara from Serengeti national park to Maasai Mara national park and vice versa.

There are no specific dates on when do wildebeest cross the river Mara from Serengeti to Maasai Mara national park and vice versa. Although it is more likely for them to cross the river Mara from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Mid- July to early August, and cross back the river from Maasai Mara to Serengeti national park at the end of October to early November.

The wildebeest population in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park started growing considerably more quickly than it had in the 1970s. Researchers figure out that the eradication of diseases and slow growth of the number of predators like lions and leopards make the wildebeest number grow rapidly.

The great migration can be seen from either Serengeti national park or Maasai Mara national park. The estimated cost to see migration in Serengeti national park starts as low as $321 per person per night on a budget safari to more than $5,000 per person per night on VIP Safari. While Migration in Maasai Mara cost as low as $250 per person per night to $4,000 per person per night on a VIP tour.

Even though the wildebeest migration can be seen in Serengeti national park, Tanzania and Maasai Mara national park in Kenya, but should be noted that wildebeest migration spends most of their time of the year in Serengeti national park in Tanzania and approximately 2 to 3 months in Maasai Mara in Kenya. So to be specific on the question above Serengeti national park is the best bet to see the great wildebeest migration.

if you are looking to do a migration safari in Kenya the best time to visit is from mid-August to early October.
if you are looking to do a migration Safari in Tanzania the best time is from December to April when the wildebeest are in the Southern Serengeti region, and from May to July when the migration is advancing towards the north.

Note: If there is sufficient rain in Tanzania, the wildebeest do not cross the river Mara to Maasai Mara national park, as it happened in 2018 and 2020. So planing to view the migration in Kenya is not the best bet.

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