It depends on what you want to see. Tell us your priorities and we'll suggest options — with honest caveats.

A hot-air balloon glowing at dusk beside a baobab silhouette

Great Migration

Migration by Month

A general guide to where the herds often are. Treat it as probability, not a timetable — every year is different.

The Great Migration is a wild, weather-driven event. Herd movements vary every year and river crossings or calving sightings can never be guaranteed. We plan for the best probability of encounters — never promises.

January – March

Herds often gather on the southern plains for calving, depending on rainfall.

April – May

The long rains. Herds commonly begin moving north-west. Quieter months with lush scenery.

June – July

Movement through the western corridor and towards the north. Some river crossings may occur in the west.

August – October

Herds are often in the northern Serengeti, with possible Mara River crossings.

November – December

With the short rains, herds typically drift south again towards the plains.

Use the pattern to choose a region

The calendar is a starting point for accommodation and routing, not a prediction for a particular date. Southern calving travel, Western Serengeti family travel and northern river viewing need different bases. Camps and roads must be checked for your dates.

Keep flexibility in the conversation

Tell us whether your dates can move and what matters most: herds, newborn animals, photography or a quieter journey. If your month does not suit the scene you imagined, resident wildlife can still make a rewarding Tanzania safari. The seasonal guide compares weather and travel considerations.