Great Migration Safaris

The Great Migration is one of the most phenomenal wildlife spectacles on earth. Every year, over 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate in a circular pattern across the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya in search of fresh grazing grounds. Great Migration safaris are excellent opportunities to see the top animals of Tanzania and Kenya’s iconic wildlife.

The Great Migration takes place across the sweeping Serengeti in Tanzania and the vast Masai Mara in Kenya. Most of the migration occurs within the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. This is where the wildebeest breed and birth their young before departing for greener pastures.

The herds enter Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve around July, crossing the Sand River and sometimes the Mara River from Tanzania in search of fresh grasses nourished by the rainfall. The river crossings around this time are a highlight, as the herds racing across the rivers hope to elude Nile crocodiles and big cats. The Masai Mara offers excellent viewing from July through October when the herds cluster on the open plains.

For the full migration experience, visiting both the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is best. A longer safari allows you to follow the herds as they circle through the ecosystems. Combining the Serengeti for the calving season and the Masai Mara for the river crossings lets you see the enormity of the migration from start to finish.

The Great Migration is a year-round event, but the most dramatic action happens during the dry season from July through October.

During these months, you can witness the jaw-dropping river crossings. Early in the season, wildebeest congregate in the Serengeti's Western Corridor before crossing the Grumeti River. As the plains dry out, the herds move north towards the Mara River. By August, the migration is in full swing in Kenya's Masai Mara.

As the rains return in November, the herds begin moving south again back to the Serengeti plains, where the freshly sprouted grass provides plentiful grazing for calving season. You can learn more from our guides on the best time to visit Tanzania and the best time to visit Kenya on safari.

The best way to experience the Great Migration is on a safari with expert guides who know the patterns of wildlife movement and can position you in the heart of the action.

Mobile tented camps are ideal for following the wildebeest and providing front-row seats as the drama unfolds. With concession-based campsites in both the Serengeti and Masai Mara, you can follow the migration between Tanzania and Kenya.

Game drives deliver close encounters with the wildlife as open-top 4x4 vehicles get you near the teeming herds. Or, you could witness the migration in a hot air balloon floating gently over the Mara River. For the ultimate perspective, take a helicopter flight over the migration during peak river crossings.

Regardless of the safari experiences you choose for your trip, the Great Migration is sure to exceed your wildest expectations.

Explore more information in our comprehensive guide on the Great Migration in Africa or inspiration in our African safari travel guide.