December to May

During this period, the migration unfolds on the Southern Plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, particularly around Lake Ndutu. This region mirrors the iconic Serengeti landscapes seen on the National Geographic channel, characterized by vast grass plains adorned with kopjes. While the migration is spread across a vast area, the open terrain allows for a clear appreciation of its immense scale. March marks the calving season, witnessing the birth of thousands of calves within a two-week span. This spectacle is not only impressive due to the sheer numbers of the migration but also because of heightened predator activity. Despite being the rainy season with occasional road closures and daily thunderstorms, the unique cloud formations add to the overall spectacle.

June to August

As the migration progresses, it moves through the Moru Kopjes area into the Western Corridor of the Serengeti. The landscape becomes bushier with numerous hills, and the wildebeest form large groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands. The herds are often seen migrating in long bunches, yet reduced visibility makes it challenging to fully appreciate their size. With fewer accessible roads, tracking the migration becomes more difficult, and the herds may temporarily vanish for a few days, covering significant distances and reappearing in entirely different areas, sometimes 40 km away.

August to October

This phase sees the migration crossing the Grumeti River in the western Serengeti, venturing beyond the National Park into private concessions like Grumeti Reserves and traditional areas. Simultaneously, another part of the migration stays to the east, traversing through Kogatende and Lobo in the northern Serengeti. While witnessing river crossings is a sought-after spectacle, especially in Kenya’s Masai Mara or the Tanzanian side, predicting and planning a safari around them proves challenging.

November to mid-December

The migration predominantly resides in the Masai Mara during this period, frequently moving back and forth to Kogatende in the Northern Serengeti based on local rainfall patterns. The Mara, with its abundance of roads and a relatively small surface area compared to the Serengeti, attracts a high density of people during this time. Despite the presence of numerous vehicles, it remains an opportune time to observe the migration if you don’t mind the increased human activities