When is the best month for the Mara crossings?

Late August through September. July can be early; October the herds are starting to drift back.

Is the calving season worth seeing?

Absolutely. Feb in Ndutu is arguably the best 3 weeks of wildlife on Earth - half a million calves and the most concentrated predator action of the year.

How close do you get to the herds?

On a calm day, well within photo range. We never off-road inside the Serengeti (banned); off-roading is allowed in Ndutu (Ngorongoro Conservation Area).

Can I combine migration with Ngorongoro and Tarangire?

Yes - most of our 7+ day itineraries do exactly that.

Serengeti Migration Safari - Mara Crossings & Calving Itineraries

Two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle on the move. We position you in the exact corner of the Serengeti where the action is - month by month.

The Great Migration is the largest overland mammal movement on Earth - and the most photographed wildlife event in Africa. But seeing it well takes more than turning up in the Serengeti. The herds are spread across an area the size of Belgium, and where they are this week is not where they were last month. A great migration safari hinges on being in the right zone at the right time, in a camp built to move with the herds, with a guide who knows the river-crossing points from a decade in the field.

Featured migration safaris itineraries

Every itinerary is fully customisable - change dates, duration, lodges or pace.

5 Days

From $2,250

5-Day Fly in Migration Crossing Safari from Arusha

Fly into the heart of the Serengeti and witness the Mara River crossings.

7-Day Great Migration River Crossing Safari

Follow the herds from the southern plains to the dramatic Mara River crossings.

7-Day Migration Crossing Mid-Range Safari (July–October)

Time it right for the dramatic Mara River crossings.

3-Day Fly In & Out Migration Crossing from Zanzibar

Witness the Mara River crossings, direct from your Zanzibar beach.

8-Day Lake Natron & Migration Crossing Safari (July–October)

Add the otherworldly Lake Natron to a classic migration crossing safari.

8-Day Serengeti Calving Safari, Midrange

Witness the wildebeest calving season, 8,000 births a day.

6-Day Migration Calving Safari (December to March)

Six days timed for the great calving on the southern Serengeti plains.

4-Day Calving Season Safari, Midrange Accommodation

Witness the wildebeest calving on the Ndutu plains, December to April.

3-Day Fly In & Out Zanzibar to Serengeti Calving Safari

Fly from your Zanzibar beach to the Ndutu calving plains, December to March.

The migration calendar - month by month

Dec–Mar (Calving): Herds on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains. Half a million calves born in a 3-week window in Feb. Predator action peaks. Off-road driving allowed in Ndutu - the best photographic conditions of the year.

Apr–May: Herds move north-west through the central Serengeti. Long rains, lower prices, dramatic skies, fewer vehicles.

Jun–Jul: Western Corridor and Grumeti River crossings - smaller and less famous than the Mara crossings but spectacular and far less crowded.

Jul–Oct (Mara crossings): The iconic moment. Herds gather on the Mara River, cross into Kenya, return. Stay in the northern Serengeti, within 30 minutes of the river.

Nov–Dec: Short rains. Herds drift south back to the calving grounds.

How to actually see a river crossing

Crossings happen between roughly mid-July and mid-October at multiple points along the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. They are not scheduled. A herd may stand at the riverbank for hours, days, or never cross at a given spot.

The formula: stay in a camp within 30 minutes of the main crossing points (Kogatende, Lamai), allocate a minimum of 3 nights, and have a guide who's in radio contact with other vehicles. We position you for both - the camp choice is non-negotiable and the radio network is what turns 'might see one' into 'saw three in three days'.

Mobile migration camps vs permanent camps

Mobile camps (Serengeti Safari Camp by Nomad, Olakira by Asilia, Serengeti Under Canvas by &Beyond) physically pack up and move 2–4 times a year to follow the herds. You wake at exactly the right point in the migration cycle. Slightly less luxurious than permanent camps but unbeatable for migration timing.

Permanent camps in strategic locations (Sayari, Lamai Serengeti, Lemala Mara) stay put year-round. Great for the 3-month peak window in the north.

For a calving safari, Ndutu's permanent camps (Lake Masek, Ndutu Safari Lodge, Lemala Ndutu) are the right choice.

How many days for a migration safari

Minimum: 5 days door-to-door - fly-in to the northern Serengeti, 3 nights at a Mara-river-adjacent camp, fly out. Tight but works.

Sweet spot: 7–8 days. Allows 4 nights in the north plus 2 nights in Ngorongoro and/or central Serengeti.

Comprehensive: 10–12 days. North + central + Ndutu, or migration + Zanzibar. The full Tanzania experience.

Booking lead time

The best migration camps for July–October are typically full 9–12 months in advance. The closer you book, the more compromises you make on camp choice and location. Book by November for the following peak season.

For the calving season (Jan–Mar), 6 months is usually enough. For shoulder months (Apr–May, Nov), 2–3 months works.

Talk to a real Tanzanian planner today

Free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours. We'll match the itinerary to your dates, budget and the wildlife you most want to see.

Start planning WhatsApp

Related destinations

Related safaris

Frequently asked questions

No tour operator can guarantee a crossing - the herds set the schedule. But with 3+ nights in the right camp at the right time of year, the odds are very strong (we'd say 80%+).

Ready to plan your serengeti migration safari?

Tell us your dates, group size and what you'd love to see. A senior planner replies personally within 24 hours with a tailored proposal - no obligation.

Request a quote WhatsApp us