The Great Migration: What, When, and Where?

Few natural events on earth rival the drama, scale, and sheer wonder of the Great Migration. Often described as the “greatest wildlife show on earth,” this is a year-round journey of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles as they follow the rains across East Africa’s vast savannas. It is not a single event, but an ongoing cycle of survival, movement, and renewal that plays out against the breathtaking backdrops of the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

What Is the Great Migration?

The Great Migration is the continuous, circular movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem. Their journey is driven by one primary instinct — the search for fresh grazing and water. This immense herd travels more than 1,800 miles annually, guided by the seasonal rains that transform dry plains into life-sustaining grasslands.

What makes the migration so captivating is not just the sheer numbers, but also the high-stakes drama it involves. From perilous river crossings where crocodiles lie in wait, to predator-rich savannas where lions and cheetahs hunt, every stage of the migration is a story of life, death, and survival.

When Does It Happen?

The Great Migration is a year-round cycle, but different months bring different highlights:

• December to March: The herds gather in the southern Serengeti, where the lush grasslands provide the perfect stage for calving season. Around half a million wildebeest calves are born within just a few weeks, attracting predators like hyenas and lions.

• April to June: As the rains end, the herds begin moving northwards through the central and western Serengeti. This is the time of massive columns of animals on the march, a spectacle of movement across endless plains.

• July to September: Perhaps the most famous stage — the dramatic Mara River crossings. Thousands of animals plunge into crocodile-infested waters in their desperate bid to reach the greener pastures of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This period is both dangerous and awe-inspiring.

• October to November: The herds begin to move southwards again as the short rains arrive, slowly making their way back to the Serengeti to complete the cycle.

Where Can You See It?

The migration takes place across two main protected areas:

• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Covering a vast 30,000 square kilometers, the Serengeti is the beating heart of the migration. From the birthing grounds in the south to the sweeping plains in the central and western regions, most of the cycle unfolds here.

• Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: The Mara is smaller but world-renowned for the spectacular river crossings and predator action during the migration’s northern phase. It provides one of the most dramatic theaters of the entire journey.

Together, these parks form a transboundary ecosystem where wildlife roams freely, unfazed by political borders. For travelers, this means that choosing the right location and season is key to witnessing the most thrilling chapters of the migration.