Our calendar is based on past seasons but with changing rainfall patterns, predicting the when migration is not an exact science. This is a rough idea of where the herds are likely to be. For the most up-to-date information, send us an enquiry on: info@tasafaris.com
JANUARY: The herds have settled into the southern Serengeti and calving season starts, which means wobbly babies and fat predators.
FEBRUARY: Sweet grasses keep the herds in the far south of the Serengeti in the Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation areas. Calving continues with up to 500,000 wildebeest being born on the Southern Plains during a two- to three-week window.
MARCH: Herds are still south but are amassing in vast numbers and preparing to move.
APRIL: All the excitement is in the southern Serengeti plains – the wildebeest begin their northbound journey, traveling into the central and even western Serengeti.
MAY: Millions are on the move and columns of up to 40km in length can be seen as the herds travel up into the central and western Serengeti.
JUNE: In the central and western Serengeti the herds are getting ready for the toughest part of their journey.
JULY: It’s river crossing season and the most popular time of year to see the migration. In the western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserves throngs of Wildebeest and Zebra brave the monster crocs and waiting lions to cross the brown expanse of water. Action-packed!
AUGUST: The herds feast in the northern Serengeti and begin crossing into Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
SEPTEMBER: Mega herds break up into smaller groups – around half remain in the northern Serengeti, the rest are in the Maasai Mara.
OCTOBER: Rains may start falling at any moment on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the wildebeest need to be there when fresh green shoots have pushed to the surface. And so begins the long trek south.
NOVEMBER: The herds pick up the pace as they are lured Southwards. By now most of the wildebeest and zebra will have left the Mara.
DECEMBER: Fresh grazing attracts the herds back to the north-eastern and southern Serengeti and the cycle of life begins all over again.