Great Migration in the Serengeti: where and when to see it, month by month (2026)
The Great Migration is the circular movement of more than a million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, across Tanzania's Serengeti, following the rains. According to the guides consulted in October 2026, calving takes place from January to March in the south (Ndutu area), Grumeti River crossings from June to July, the spectacular Mara River crossings from July to October (peak in August), and the return south in November-December. The calendar depends on the rains and can shift by several weeks: no guide can guarantee a crossing. From Zanzibar, allow at least 3 days (flight to Arusha, then safari).
Highlights
The Mara River crossing
This is the documentary scene: wildebeest pile up on the bank, then jump into water where crocodiles wait. It is seen in the north of the park (Kogatende area), mostly August to September, but herds sometimes go back and forth and nothing is guaranteed on a given day.
Calving at Ndutu (January to March)
Herds gather on the southern plains; one guide cites up to 8,000 births a day at the peak. It is the easiest period to see (no river to wait for) and predators are very present.
The Grumeti crossings (June-July)
Further west, smaller and less famous than the Mara ones, they are more accessible to travellers who cannot go north.
Practical info
Tips
- Choose the month first, then the area, then the package. For the rivers, sleep in the north (August-September) or accept several hours on the road; for calving, sleep in the south near Ndutu (January-March). The number of nights matters more than the price: aim for 3 nights minimum, 4 to 5 to maximise your chances of a crossing. A 3-day group offer (Serengeti and Ngorongoro) is seen from about 900 dollars per person; a domestic flight (expensive, but it saves a day) is useful from Zanzibar. Herd numbers vary by source (from 1.5 million wildebeest to about 2 million animals in total): take them as estimates. See the Serengeti park page, Ngorongoro, the comparison of safaris from Zanzibar and safari or Zanzibar.
How to get there
From Zanzibar, fly to Arusha (about 1 hour), then road or small plane to an airstrip in the park depending on the package. See Arusha.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
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