The Great Migration, Serengeti

Where it is & how to get there

• Timing: Dec–Mar: calving in the south (Ndutu); May–Jun: western corridor; Jul–Oct: river crossings in the north (Mara River).
• Getting there: Light aircraft from Arusha, or a long drive via Ngorongoro.
• Guides: Most visitors join guided safaris; self-drive is less common.

The story of the Great Migration

The Serengeti ("endless plains" in Maasai) hosts the largest land migration on earth: about 1.5 million wildebeest, plus zebras and gazelles, follow the rains in a yearly loop between Tanzania and Kenya's Maasai Mara.

Predators follow the herds, and dramatic crossings of the Grumeti and Mara rivers attract crocodiles. The Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• July–September in the north for river crossings.
• Plan your camp location around the migration month.
• Book river-crossing season well in advance.

What's around the Great Migration

• Seronera ValleyBig cats year-round.
• NdutuCalving grounds.
• Mara RiverNorthern crossings.
• Ngorongoro CraterOn the way from Arusha.

Questions travellers ask