THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE GREAT MIGRATION EACH MONTH
Since the Great Migration is an eternal annual cycle from place to place, year in and year out, there is no single time of year to experience it. However, depending on either the aspect of the Great Migration you want to witness
(such as river crossings), or the time of year that you prefer to travel, your
safari can be tailored to give you the best chance of seeing what you desire.
The great migration in December, January, February and March

Calving Season
Around December or January each year, the migration finishes a southward trek, moving along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area. Here the plains are rich in nutritious grass, providing the herds with the best conditions for raising their newborn calves. Although there is no real beginning or end to this migratory circuit — other than birth and death — it seems reasonable to call the wildebeests’ birthing season the start of the migration. Around late January or February, the herds occupy the short-grass plains that spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and around Olduvai Gorge. Some 400,000 calves are born here within a period of two to three weeks, or nearly 8,000 new calves every day. The abundance of vulnerable young calves means the surrounding predators also spring into action, hunting with ease due to the sheer numbers of wildebeest.
Great migration in April, May and Early June

THE TREK NORTH AND THE RUT
April
As the rains come to an end and the ground dries, the herds start making
their way north into the central Serengeti where the grass is still fresh and they can graze and tend to their young, drawing with them thousands of zebra
and smaller groups of antelope. Moving slowly, they graze as they go, making the most of the fresh grass.
May
By May, impressive columns of wildebeest stretch for several kilometres as the animals start to congregate by the Moru Kopjes, close to Dunia Camp, one of the few camps in the Serengeti that offers migration viewing at this time of year. Mating season begins toward the end of May and male wildebeest battle head-to-head. Throughout ‘the rut,’ the journey continues at leisure with the wildebeest and zebra grazing as they go along.
First half of June
Gradually, the movement gathers momentum and the wildebeest start to mass in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. At this time of year, the wildebeest face their first challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested Grumeti River. The herds form in huge numbers along the pools and channels of the river, which they have to cross in order to continue on their journey. This may not be as spectacular as the famous Mara crossings, but there are still enough wildebeest to provide The Grumeti crocodiles with a veritable feast. It is worth noting that since May and June are low season at many camps, this time offers lower accommodation rates, since there are relatively low numbers of tourists in the
Serengeti, yet the wildlife viewings remain excellent.
THE RUT
WHERE MALE WILDEBEEST
BATTLE HEAD TO HEAD

The migration in Late June and July
RIVER CROSSING SEASON BEGINS
The herds head toward the north of the Serengeti. The river crossings, considered by some to be the most exciting events of the Great Migration, usually start in July, but timing all depends on the rains.
June
During June, the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the river, filled with
crocodiles — the first of many daunting and tense river encounters.
July
As June moves into July, the migration gathers momentum and huge herds of wildebeest can be seen spread out across the Western Corridor as they continue the journey north. These hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra move along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier: the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. These river crossings are arguably one of the most exciting wildlife events on Earth.
They usually begin at the onset of high season in July, but timing all depends on nature. The herds will typically be found in the northern Serengeti in the month of July, where access s provided by Kilimanjaro classic safari’s two mobile migration camps as well as Sayari Camp (enviably positioned as the closest camp to the Mara River crossing points in the northern Serengeti). Later in July, those animals that have successfully made it across the Mara River will also be found in Kenya’s Masai
Mara, where guests of Rekero Camp can watch river crossings right from the main deck of the camp. At this time, daily river crossings can be seen at the Mara and Talek rivers, both often central to incredible scenes.
The great migration in August, September and October

River crossing continues
August
By August, the herds have faced the challenge of crossing the Mara River and are spread throughout the Masai Mara’s northern region, with many remaining in the northern Serengeti. In years when the river is in full flow, the panic and confusion at the crossings combined with waiting predators and surging currents — can cause massive loss of life. Many will perish but the thousands of calves that are born more than make up the numbers. Nevertheless, in years of relatively gently flowing water, the crocodile take their toll, not to mention
the lion and other large predators that patrol the banks, ready to ambush any wildebeest that make it to the other side. There is no single crossing: at some spots, there are just a few individuals, while others see a mass of animals moving without break for hours.

September
By September/October, the main chaos has ended and the migrating columns have gradually moved eastward. The herds are mostly concentrated in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, the northernmost range of the trek, but many still remain in the Serengeti.

October
The wildebeest face the swollen waters of the Mara River once more as they prepare to cross again on their return journey back south. One of the best views of the herds migrating out of Kenya across the treacherous Mara River can be found at Baobab luxury tented camp
The great migration in November and December

Calving season begins
November:
After the East African short rains in late October and early
November, the wildebeest move down from Kenya and into
the rejuvenated grasses and eastern limits of the Serengeti
past Namiri Plains, an area known for outstanding cheetah
sightings.
December
By December, the wildebeest are spread throughout the eastern and southern reaches. The Southern Plains are lush with fresh, sweet grasses for the wildebeest to graze on. The areas around Ndutu and the northern Ngorongoro
Conservation Area are where the herds will spend some time enjoying the abundant grazing in preparation for the birth of the new calves in the early months of the new year. The cycle continues as the calving season starts once again
THE SOUTHERN PLAINS
ARE LUSH WITH FRESH
SWEET GRASSES