Where’s the Best Place to See the Wildebeest Migration?

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet — a never-ending cycle of movement that defines the rhythm of East Africa’s wilderness. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeests, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, journey through Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing lands and water. This circular migration is not just a movement of animals; it’s a living drama of survival, beauty, and instinct that unfolds across two countries and several distinct landscapes.

To truly experience the magic of the Great Migration, timing and location are everything. The migration is not confined to one place — it moves in a predictable pattern throughout the year. Depending on the month you visit, you’ll find the herds in different regions of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, each offering its own breathtaking encounters and photographic moments.

December to March – The Southern Serengeti (Ndutu Plains)

The southern Serengeti, especially around the Ndutu Plains and parts of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is where the Great Migration begins its dramatic annual cycle. From December to March, the herds gather on these open grasslands to calve. Over 400,000 wildebeest calves are born within a few short weeks — a phenomenon known as the calving season.

It’s an incredible time to witness the cycle of life in its purest form. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas follow closely, creating some of the most thrilling wildlife scenes imaginable. The flat, open terrain of Ndutu also makes this one of the best regions for photography, with stunning light and vast horizons filled with life.

Best base: Ndutu Safari Lodge, Lemala Ndutu, or Sanctuary Kusini Camp

April to June – Central and Western Serengeti

As the rains fade and the grass in Ndutu begins to dry, the herds start their long journey northwest through the Central Serengeti and into the Western Corridor. Around April and May, the Seronera region bursts into life with predators and large herds moving in harmony. By June, they gather along the Grumeti River, where one of the first major challenges of the migration occurs — the Grumeti River crossings.

Here, massive Nile crocodiles wait patiently as wildebeests attempt to cross the river, offering dramatic and heart-stopping spectacles of nature. The Western Serengeti is less crowded than other migration regions, providing excellent game viewing with fewer vehicles.

Best base: Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp, Kirawira Serena Camp, or Mbalageti Safari Camp

July to October – Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara

This period marks the most famous phase of the migration: the Mara River crossings. The herds arrive in the Northern Serengeti around July, gathering along the banks of the Mara River — a natural barrier separating Tanzania’s Serengeti from Kenya’s Masai Mara. Crossing the river is perilous; the currents are strong, crocodiles lie in wait, and chaos reigns as thousands of animals surge through the water in panic and determination.

Watching a river crossing is one of the most emotional and unforgettable experiences in Africa. Between July and October, herds move back and forth across the border, depending on rainfall patterns. This means both the Northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara offer prime opportunities for witnessing this spectacle.

Best base in Tanzania: Sayari Camp, Lemala Kuria Hills, or Kaskaz Mara Camp
Best base in Kenya: Governors’ Camp, Angama Mara, or Mara Serena Safari Lodge

November – Back to the Southern Serengeti

By late October or early November, the rains begin to fall in the southern plains once again, signaling the herds to start their long journey back from Kenya and northern Tanzania to the Ndutu region. This period is a transition phase, with scattered herds seen moving southwards through the Central Serengeti. The landscape is green and vibrant, and the park is quieter, offering excellent photography without the peak-season crowds.

Best base: Serengeti Pioneer Camp or Naona Moru Camp

Choosing the Right Destination for You

Each stage of the migration offers a unique experience. The southern plains showcase the miracle of life during the calving season; the western corridor delivers thrilling river drama and predator action; the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara capture the migration’s most iconic moments with dramatic crossings.

If your goal is to witness the river crossings, July to October in either the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende/Lamai) or the Masai Mara is ideal. If you prefer baby animals and predator activity, visit Ndutu between January and March. For fewer crowds and beautiful green scenery, the Western and Central Serengeti in April and May offer serene and rewarding safaris.

The Eternal Circle of Life

The Great Migration is not bound by borders or calendars — it is nature’s eternal dance, flowing with the rains and the wind. Whether you watch newborn calves taking their first steps in Ndutu or witness the raw chaos of a river crossing in the Mara, you’re witnessing one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders. The beauty of the migration lies in its unpredictability — it’s wild, unchoreographed, and alive.