Wildebeest Migration

August 1, 2026

The Great Migration refers to the movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebra, and gazelles across the plains of East Africa. The migration travels through Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and other areas in Tanzania.  In an annual cycle, the animals cover over 1,700 miles on their endless journey driven by seasonal rains and fresh grass.

The migration is a continuous, circular journey with no real start or end:

• January to March: Herds gather on the short-grass southern Serengeti plains. Peak calving occurs in February, with thousands of babies born daily before heading west.

• April to May: Herds move north and northwest toward thecentral Serengeti. Mating season begins.

• June to August: Animals congregate in the western corridor and face crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers into the Maasai Mara of Kenya.

• September to December: Animals start their long trek south back to Tanzania as short rains in Kenya trigger the return.

Many people have a common misconception about the migration: that it is one large herd of wildebeests and zebras that move all at the same time across the plains. They often split into groups, so there may be times when one huge group is crossing the river in northern Serengeti, while other parts of the herd in western Serengeti are moving a bit slower and haven’t made their way up north yet. The distribution of the migrating animals is more widespread than you might is typically thought.

The image of millions of animals stampeding across the plains is another misconception. While it’s true that large groups of animals may stampede from time to time (especially during river crossings), it’s not a constant, and it is not predictable.

The best time to witness the migration is in  Kenya from July to September when the herds cross into the Maasai Mara National Reserve.  July and August offer the best opportunities to watch dramatic Mara River crossings.