The Great Migration, month by month
1. The migration is not an event, it's a continuous loop
The migration is not an event, it's a continuous loop. 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebra and 500,000 gazelle moving in a slow circle through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, every month of every year.
2. January–March: calving season on the southern Serengeti plains
January–March: calving season on the southern Serengeti plains. Half a million calves born in three weeks. Predator activity peaks.
3. April–May: the herds drift north and west through the long…
April–May: the herds drift north and west through the long rains. Quiet, green, low season.
4. June–July: the herds reach the Western Corridor and the Grumeti…
June–July: the herds reach the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River. The first dramatic crossings.
5. August–October: Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti, the iconic,…
August–October: Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti, the iconic, brutal moments.
6. November–December: short rains push the herds south again, back toward…
November–December: short rains push the herds south again, back toward the calving grounds.
Joseph Mollel, Lead Guide
Published 4 May 2025
