If you’re visiting Africa on holiday, whether for a safari or to explore one of the countries on the continent, you’ll likely come across mentions of the Great Migration. This natural phenomenon and impressive spectacle attracts plenty of tourists and is one of the most significant movements of animals in the world.
Witnessing the Great Migration tends to be a bucket list item if you’re dreaming of an African safari. But you might also be planning a trip to this part of the world and have never heard of the phenomenon before.
In this article, we share everything you need to know about the Great Migration in Africa, including when and where you can witness it for yourself.
Here’s an overview:
A wildebeest during the Great Migration in Africa.
What is The Great Migration?
When many people think of the Great Migration, they have a mental image of hundreds of wildebeest crossing a huge expanse of water. But in actual fact, the Great Migration is the constant circular movement of many species of animals around the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
The Great Migration is prompted by herd animals like zebras, antelopes, and wildebeest traveling in pursuit of water and places to graze. This results in their movement from the Serengeti in Tanzania, where they’re calved, up, and clockwise to the Masai Mara in Kenya, before looping back around and returning.
What makes the Great Migration such a notable spectacle is the sheer number of animals that take part in the movement. It’s estimated that there are 1,000 animals per km², meaning that it can often be spotted from space.
But it’s not just the huge herds that are incredible to witness. Many predators across Kenya and Tanzania also gather to target the large groups of prey, picking off weaker members and seizing the opportunity to hunt with so many targets available. This leads to some really exciting moments that are thrilling for those lucky enough to witness them.
It’s a common misconception that the Great Migration only happens at one point during the year, as plenty of people want to watch the water crossings that take place at certain times. But it’s actually a continual cycle where birth and death mirror the circular path of the journey, meaning that you can see the Great Migration at any time.
Related read: Reasons to Visit Kenya
A parade of elephants at a watering hole.
When Does The Great Migration Happen?
The Great Migration happens continually every year, as herds of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, and some other African herbivores travel in a circular pattern between Tanzania and Kenya. But witnessing the Migration while you’re in Africa means timing your trip to be in the right place to coincide with where the herds are moving in their search for food and water.
Many people consider the river crossings and movement around these areas to be the key event of the Great Migration, as it’s often when the most dramatic encounters happen between predator and prey, and also a good chance to spot all kinds of animals at the same time. This generally happens between July and November, although it’s very difficult to precisely predict when the herds will start making the crossing.
Outside of this, the Great Migration can typically be spotted traveling north through Tanzania between March and August, and then in Kenya between September and November. From November to February, the herds are traveling south through Tanzania, before turning around and beginning their return journey.
Zebra and wildebeest often graze together.
When is The Best Time to See The Great Migration in Africa?
Before we launch into recommendations about the best time to see the Great Migration in Africa, be aware that any suggestions are only ever going to be estimates. The route and timings of the event are influenced by food and water availability, which are entirely dependent on the weather. So, be flexible with your plans and prepare yourself for unexpected changes in the estimated schedule.
December to March
To see the Great Migration between December and March, you need to head to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania. Here, you’ll be able to witness the beginning of the Migration’s life cycle—the calving of hundreds of thousands of infant animals in the spring.
The herds are thought to choose this area of the Serengeti because the grass is short, making it harder for predators to hide and creep up on them and their offspring. This is great news for visitors as it’s much easier to see the creatures without too much obstruction from the long vegetation.
Peak calving season is in February and March, so this is the best time to visit to see baby zebras, antelopes, and wildebeest in the first days and weeks of their lives. This can also make predatory attacks harder to watch, however, which you might want to bear in mind if you’re visiting Tanzania with young children!
This is also a good time of year for a safari because it’s not a stage of the Great Migration that includes river crossings, so it won’t be as busy.
Related read: The Best Times of the Year to Go on Safari in Kenya
Elephants within the African vegetation.
April
April is the best time to see the Great Migration if you’re in the south or central Serengeti in Tanzania. At this point, the herds tend to start turning around and moving northward towards Kenya, bringing their new offspring with them.
If you’re in the Maswa Reserve at this time of year, then you’ll get brilliant opportunities to watch the animals begin their migration through the country and towards the rivers that they have to cross so dramatically. There won’t actually be any river crossing in this part of Tanzania, which again means you’ll probably enjoy a less crowded safari.
An antelope springing across the African savanna.
May and June
May sees the end of the rainy season in Tanzania, which is when the herds of animals really start to move north in search of more food and water. It’s also when mating season begins, so the Migration isn’t the only priority for the animals.
Some herds will travel south through Seronera and Lobo, while others will head to the Western Corridor in the Serengeti, where they will need to cross the Grumeti River. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch the river crossing in this part of the western Serengeti.
Elephants on the Great Migration.
July to October
The period of time between July and October is generally recommended as the best time to see the Great Migration. It’s also one of the busiest times for safaris in Tanzania and Kenya because of this, so make sure to book your trip well in advance!
Related read: Top 10 Things to Do in Tanzania
In July and August, the majority of the herds move north into the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya, where they are faced with the mighty Mara River. It’s the crossing of this river that many tourists make a particular effort to try and see when they visit during the Great Migration, as it’s a stunning spectacle because of both the levels of danger and the sheer number of animals.
The biggest threats to the creatures come from the water, either from drowning in the currents or the crocodiles that lurk beneath the surface. However, being close to the water also means that you have a higher chance of seeing a wider range of animals coming to drink and eat, which is great for a safari experience.
A herd of wildebeest making the Great Migration.
November
In late October and November, the Great Migration starts to turn and leave Kenya, heading back down into Tanzania towards Lobo and the Namiri Plains in eastern and central Serengeti. The herds are heading back to the calving grounds, and all the survivors will have made the river crossings by this point.
This turning point depends on when the rainy season starts, which is different every year depending on weather conditions. But it’s often a pretty quiet time of year to enjoy a safari in this part of Africa, where the animal sightings are more relaxed than during the peak season.
A flock of birds flying above a watering hole.
Where to See The Great Migration
Africa’s animals aren’t aware or concerned about borders and boundaries, so there aren’t defined areas that the creatures stay within during the Great Migration. However, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya are generally the best places to witness the phenomenon.
The great news is that these reserves are already some of the most popular places for safaris in Africa and Kenya, which means you’ll have a lot of options in terms of safari packages to choose from, which include spotting the Great Migration. You’ll also have a good range of accommodation options close to the Mara River and the most densely populated areas of the Serengeti, upping your chances of seeing all kinds of wildlife.
Related read: Serengeti Balloon Safari in Tanzania
A family of elephants crossing the African plain.
The Great Migration is one of the world’s most famous natural events, and a real highlight for anyone visiting Africa on a safari holiday. While river crossings get a lot of the spotlight, there are many other wonderful parts of the event that are equally worth witnessing, with different kinds of experiences on offer all year round.
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View all posts Travel planning for off-the-beaten-path destinations can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! Don’t miss out on incredible adventures—we are here to help. With over 30 years of combined travel expertise, we offer a wealth of curated journeys that you can mix and match or customize from the ground up. Experience the joy of exploring while staying budget-friendly. Let us assist you in turning your travel dreams into reality!
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