Map of Kenya › Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration
One and a half million wildebeest, plus zebras and gazelles, circle the Serengeti and Maasai Mara every year. The migration is not a single event but a twelve-month journey. Timing your trip means understanding where the herds are and what that offers for your safari.
Follow the Herds
The migration follows a predictable clockwise route in response to rainfall and grass availability. The map shows the approximate monthly positions of the main herds as they move through Tanzania and Kenya.
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You can still use the guide and tables below, or open the area on Google Maps.
Understanding the Cycle
The migration is one ecosystem in motion. Roughly 1.5 million wildebeest form the core, accompanied by 200,000 zebras and hundreds of thousands of gazelles. They follow fresh grass wherever the rains fall, and predators follow them. There is no single best time. Each month offers something different.
Month by Month
| Month | Location | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-Mar | Ndutu, southern Serengeti | Calving season. Around 400,000 calves born. Predators concentrate. Lush, green landscape. |
| Apr-May | Central to northern Serengeti | Herds trek north. Shorter, localised movements. Quieter parks, lower costs. |
| Jun | Western Corridor, Grumeti River | River crossings. One of the dramatic events. Not guaranteed, but when it happens, it’s intense. |
| Jul-Aug | Between Serengeti and Mara | Crossing the Mara River into Kenya. Peak safari season. More visitors, full lodges. |
| Sep-Oct | Maasai Mara, Kenya | Grazing on Mara grasslands. River crossings continue. Still active but less frenzied than August. |
| Nov | Northern Mara, heading south | Short rains prompt the retreat. Herds begin drifting back towards Tanzania. |
When Should You Visit?
Want to see river crossings? July and August are your best bet. Just know everyone else has the same idea. June offers Grumeti crossings with fewer crowds. For wildlife abundance and green scenery without the migration crush, visit December through May. The calving season (December to March) is especially rewarding. You’ll see newborns, predator hunts, and raw ecosystem dynamics. The trade-off is you need patience and a skilled guide to find the action.
Migration Questions
Can I really see the migration?
Yes. Being in the right place at roughly the right time works. The herds move across vast territory. A river crossing is unforgettable when it happens. We design trips to balance chasing the crossing with solid game viewing even if one doesn’t materialise.
Does the migration follow a strict schedule?
The herds follow rainfall, not a calendar. They’re predictably within certain zones in certain months, but exact timing shifts year to year as rains vary. This is nature, not a timetable.
How many wildebeest really migrate?
Around 1.5 million wildebeest, plus roughly 200,000 zebras and hundreds of thousands of gazelles. The herds do not fragment into separate groups. It is one continuous ecosystem in motion.
Should I book peak season or avoid it?
Peak season (July to August) is intense and pricey. Shoulder months (June, September to October) offer action with fewer crowds. Green season (November to May) is quieter, cheaper, and often better for photography and predator sightings. We advise based on what you want to experience.
See the migration your way.
Plain Safaris times trips to the migration or the quiet seasons. Whatever matches your budget and expectations. No overselling. No guarantees that nature can’t keep.
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