30/05/2026
The Serengeti wildebeest migration is an annual, 800-kilometer circular trek involving over 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebra, and hundreds of thousands of gazelles. Driven by seasonal rains and the search for fresh grazing grounds, the massive herds move continuously across Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
The Annual Cycle
1. Calving Season (January – March)
The herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti (around Ndutu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area) to graze and drop nearly 500,000 calves. The highly nutritious grasses provide optimal nourishment, though the heavy concentration of young attracts numerous predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.
2. The Trek North (April – June)
As the southern plains dry up with the end of the wet season, the animals move northwest toward the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. During this time, they face their first major aquatic obstacle: the Grumeti River, which is notoriously infested with large crocodiles.
3. The River Crossings (July – October)
This is the most famous and dramatic phase of the migration. The mega-herds spread across the northern Serengeti and face the rushing Mara River. Surviving the steep banks, strong currents, and apex predators (crocodiles and big cats) is a frantic, chaotic, and spectacular sight. After crossing into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the herds graze before eventually preparing to turn back south.
4. The Return Journey (November – December)
As the short rains begin to fall again in the south, the herds migrate southward through the eastern and central regions of the Serengeti to return to their calving grounds, completing the cycle.
Planning a Safari
Because the exact timing and route of the migration depend entirely on rainfall patterns, the month-by-month path acts as a guideline rather than a strict schedule. For those planning a viewing trip, you can explore accommodation and booking options directly through .
https://marvelscenic.com/ #
