The Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth a natural phenomenon that draws safari-goers, photographers, and nature lovers from around the globe. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, embark on a dramatic circular journey across the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This epic migration is driven by the search for fresh grazing and water, and it follows a predictable seasonal pattern that makes it possible to witness different stages of the migration throughout the year.
The journey typically begins in the southern Serengeti, where the herds gather between December and Marchin the nutrient rich short grass plains near Ndutu. This period is known as the calving season, when around 500,000 wildebeest calves are born within just a few weeks. The abundance of vulnerable young animals attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards, offering thrilling wildlife action for safari-goers.
As the rains end and the grass dries out, the herds begin moving northwest through the Seronera (central Serengeti) and toward the Western Corridor around April to June. This phase includes dramatic river crossings at the Grumeti River, where crocodiles lie in wait. By July and August, the migration reaches the northern Serengeti, and the herds face their most dangerous challenge: crossing the Mara River. These crossings are chaotic, breathtaking, and often tragic as wildebeest risk drowning, stampedes, and predation. Witnessing a Mara River crossing is considered the highlight of the migration and a once-in-a-lifetime safari moment.
From September to October, the herds graze in the northern plains before gradually returning south as the short rains begin. By November, they are making their way back to Ndutu, completing the cycle that sustains the ecosystem and supports one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.
The best time to witness the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti depends on where you want to be in the cycle. Whether you’re drawn to the birthing season in the south, the dramatic river crossings in the north, or the predator-heavy plains of the central Serengeti, each stage of the migration offers a different and equally powerful experience. Planning your safari around the migration requires expert guidance, but the reward is seeing one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events unfold before your eyes in the wild heart of Africa.