When Should You Actually Go for the Great Migration?

The most common question we get: “when is the Migration?” The honest answer is that it depends on rainfall, and rainfall isn’t fixed to a date on a calendar. That said, there are patterns we plan around.

• July – August: Herds typically begin crossing into the Mara from the Serengeti’s northern reaches. Good odds of river crossings.
• September – early October: Often the sweet spot in the Mara itself, with herds settled across the conservancies.
• November onward: The herds begin moving back south into the Serengeti.

We track camp reports and ranger updates in real time in the weeks before a trip, and we’ll always tell you honestly if a different month — or a different park entirely — gives you better odds for what you actually want to see.