The Great Migration is not a single event but a continuous, roughly circular movement of over a million wildebeest and zebra through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem year-round. Understanding where the herds are likely to be on your specific travel dates is the single most important planning factor for a Tanzania migration safari.
Quick facts
- Southern plains calving season: Roughly January to March
- Central and western Serengeti: Roughly April to June
- Northern Serengeti and Mara River crossings: Roughly July to October
- Southward return: Roughly November to December
Planning around herd movement
Because the migration's timing shifts somewhat year to year with rainfall, no operator can guarantee an exact location months in advance — what we can do is position your itinerary in the region the herds are statistically most likely to occupy for your travel dates, and stay flexible on lodge choice within that region as the actual movement becomes clearer closer to your trip.
Frequently asked questions
What's the single best month to see the migration?
There isn't one universally best month — it depends what you want to see: calving (January–March), or the dramatic river crossings (July–October).
Can I see the migration in both Kenya and Tanzania on one trip?
Yes, see our joint Kenya & Tanzania Great Migration Safari for an itinerary spanning both sides of the ecosystem.
Timed migration itineraries feature across our Tanzania safari collections.