The Great Migration is the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and hundreds of thousands of gazelles trek in an endless circle through the Serengeti and Masai Mara. But what does that mean practically for your trip?
January–March: Calving in Ndutu
In the southern Serengeti, around Lake Ndutu, the most intense drama of the entire migration takes place: birth. Each day up to 8,000 calves are born. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas wait patiently. This is predator heaven.
April–May: The trek north
The long rains begin. The herds move slowly through the central Serengeti. Less spectacular, but the landscapes are green and lush. Few tourists.
June: Western Corridor
The herds reach the Grumeti River. Here enormous Nile crocodiles wait — up to 5 metres long. The crossings are less spectacular than the Mara, but the crocodiles are larger.
July–August: The moment — Mara River
This is what everyone comes for. The herds stand before the Mara River and hesitate. Then they leap. Crocodiles strike. It is chaotic, loud and overwhelming. This is it.
September: Retreating
The herds start moving back. Still fantastic wildlife, less crowded than August.
October–December: Back south
The short rains fall. The herds move back to Ndutu for the new calving season.
**My advice?** Never plan solely for the migration. Every season has its magic. I have experienced equally enchanting moments in February as in August.