Around 1.5 million wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, walk a rough circle of some 800 km every year through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The circuit never truly starts or ends, but it does have a rhythm, and that rhythm is what the numbered stops on this map trace.
Follow the markers from the calving grounds in the south (January and February) round to the Mara River crossings (August and September) and back. Tap any number for what the herds are typically doing that month.
Numbered stops show the herds’ typical position by month; the dashed line is the overall loop. The blue marker is the main Mara River crossing zone. Park boundaries: protected-area data © UNEP-WCMC WDPA and © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Reading the loop
Two things surprise most planners. First, the herds spend far more of the year in Tanzania than in Kenya; the Mara leg usually runs only from July to October. Second, the timing is driven by rain, not by calendar dates, so in a dry year the herds arrive early and in a wet year they linger south. Treat every month marker as the centre of a range, not a promise.
For timing a trip around the crossings specifically, the best time for the migration guide breaks the odds down week by week.
Where to base yourself
If river crossings are the goal, camps in the northern Mara and the Mara Triangle put you closest to the main crossing points between August and September. If you would rather see the calving mass in the south, that is a Tanzanian trip in January or February. The Serengeti migration guide covers the southern legs in detail.
Quick reference
| Months | Typical location | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-Feb | Southern Serengeti / Ndutu | Calving; roughly 400,000 calves born |
| Mar-May | Central Serengeti | Long rains; herds drift northwest |
| Jun | Western Corridor | Grumeti River crossings |
| Jul-Oct | Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara | Mara River crossings, peak Aug-Sep |
| Nov-Dec | Eastern and southern Serengeti | Short rains pull the herds back south |
Entry fees are indicative non-resident adult rates. KWS and county tariffs change; confirm current rates before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the migration reach the Masai Mara?
Usually in July, staying through October. The exact arrival depends on rainfall, so it can shift by several weeks either way.
When are the Mara River crossings?
Most likely between August and September, when the herds move back and forth across the river inside the Mara ecosystem.
Does the migration happen in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both. The loop covers the Serengeti in Tanzania for most of the year, with the Kenyan Mara leg from roughly July to October.
Can you see the migration outside the river-crossing months?
Yes. The herds exist all year; the question is only where on the loop they are. Calving season in the southern Serengeti is just as dramatic as the crossings.
Related maps and guides
- Masai Mara safari map
- Kenya safari seasons map
- Masai Mara great migration guide
- Serengeti wildebeest migration guide
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