Serengeti Migration - Important Months

The Serengeti Migration is a dynamic, fluid event, dictated by the onset of the rains and fresh pasture. It's important to know where the herds are at what time.

Here is our guide to the Serengeti migration's important months and where we recommend staying to ensure you have ringside seats.

November

Once the southern Serengeti's short November rains have fallen, thousands of large mammals travel fast, heads down and hooves stomping, to the Serengeti's southern plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands.

We recommend staying at Serengeti Migration Camp or Klein's Camp.

December through March

The southern section of the Serengeti is where all the action plays out during this time. This is when the game animals give birth to their young and start preparing for the northern trek. Over 8 000 calves are born per day in the calving season; yet less than half will live to see their five-month birthday. Predators like the Serengeti lions and cheetah pick and choose from the thousands of potential victims.

We recommend staying at Kusini.

April

The adults and surviving young shift their attention to the central areas of the park, moving towards the Serengeti's western corridor. This funnel-shaped piece of land runs from the Central Serengeti in a western direction to the park boundary near Lake Victoria's shore.

We recommend staying at Serengeti Under Canvas or Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.

June

Arriving at the Western Corridor around June, the millions of grazers are forced to cross the Grumeti River. There is usually an unpredictable waiting period of one to two weeks as the animals prepare for the life-threatening crossing.

Ironically, it is usually the first animals that attempt to cross that are taken by the Grumeti crocodiles. The resident crocodiles feast as the long train of wildlife tries to cross unscathed.

We recommend staying at Grumeti River Camp or Kirawira Tented Camp.

July

From here attention shifts north as the migration enters the private Singita Grumeti Reserve, with a small portion splitting off and heading northeast, to the Lobo area.

We recommend staying at Singita Sasakwa Lodge or Singita Faru Faru River Lodge.

August

The best time to see the Serengeti migration is usually in this June to August period. In August the migration reaches the far northern area (ikorongo controlled). There are a few excellent camps in this area from which you can witness this natural phenomenon.

We recommend staying at Sayari Camp or Lemala Luxury Camp Serengeti.

Mid-August to early November

August is another 'jump month' as animals cross the Sand River and head into the Masai Mara. They will stay in the Masai Mara where water is always available, until the November rains in the south Serengeti beckon once again and the cycle begins anew.

If you are thinking about a safari in the Masai Mara we'd recommend staying at Mara Porini, Rekero Camp, Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp or click here for more Masai Mara accommodation.

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