When planning a Serengeti migration safari, it's crucial to know the best areas to stay as the Wildebeest and Zebra form a significant anticlockwise circuit. The prime time for Masai Mara is from July to October, although June is great for the Grumeti River. The annual wildebeest migration involves over 2 million wild animals, including wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, and topis, moving from Tanzania's Serengeti plains to Kenya's Masai Mara and back in search of food and water sources.
Serengeti National Park’s Great Annual Migration Pattern
The schedule of the Serengeti wildebeest migration is totally reliant on rainfall patterns each year, and it is impossible to estimate exactly when they will arrive.
A month by month wildebeest migration guide
During the months of December and March
The Serengeti’s Southern Plains are where it all begins. This is where the wildebeest would want to call home, and it is also where the lives of half a million wildebeest begin each year in late February or March.
During the months of April and May
Wildebeest herds begin to move after rain as the southern plains dry out and the rut begins. They can be seen flocking through Moru Kopjes in South Central Serengeti in April and May as they begin their migration north.
During the months of June and July
The epic wildebeest migration peaks as the herds enter the Serengeti Western Corridor, where they encounter the Grumeti River and hungry crocodiles, marking their first significant challenge along their journey.
During the months of November & August
From August to November, the great migration reaches its northern limit—the crocodile-filled Mara River. The herds cross it twice during this time, attracting numerous animals during the river crossings.
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