Over two million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra roam the plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, constantly on the move in search of water and fertile grass. One of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles, the herds follow the same rough clockwise route each year, with a so-called ‘mega herd’ comprising the largest mass of animals and other smaller columns stretching further afield. The herds are also a magnet for predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas.

The short answer is year round, if you pick the right spot. But of course, nothing is guaranteed in nature and the timing and route of the herds are dependent on rainfall, so it can be a little unpredictable. However, with a little planning you stand a good chance of seeing the herds, and even if you don’t, the plentiful wildlife of the Masai Mara and Serengeti will not disappoint.

Check out our migration map below to see the circular pattern of the route. The herds can generally be seen in the Masai Mara and far north of the Serengeti between July and October, after which they head south through the east central Serengeti before arriving in the southern plains around December. The migration herds remain settled here around Ndutu until March. February is calving season so there will be plenty of young around, which also means the possibility of some dramatic predator action. From April to June the herds head northwest through the central Serengeti toward the Western Corridor, then spread out as they move north from June.

Perilous river crossings begin in June at the Serengeti’s Grumeti River, while the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara peak between late July and September. The potential drama of the river crossings draws a large number of vehicles so if you’re after a more intimate migration experience, January to March in the south may suit you better.

Imagine you’re in the Masai Mara and after a couple of days’ game viewing, waiting and hoping, the crackle of the radio alerts your guide to a river crossing nearby, so you hurry to the riverbank to see the commotion down below, as wildebeest brave strong currents and the chance of crocodile and hippo attacks to get to the other side. Or perhaps you’re in the Southern Serengeti, with thousands of wildebeest as far as the eye can see, peacefully grazing on the short grasses, and you pause to watch a new calf take uncertain steps towards its mother to feed. Maybe you’re trundling through the central Serengeti and happen across an endless column of animals dashing across the dusty track ahead of you. Whatever time of year you travel, spotting the migration is sure to be a memorable experience.

Seeing the wildebeest and zebra migration is undoubtedly an incredible experience but it is by no means the ‘be all and end all’ of an East African safari. The Masai Mara and Central Serengeti are home to an incredible concentration and diversity of wildlife year round, from the Big 5 to beautiful birdlife and a myriad of creatures in between. Other species are also sometimes easier to spot when the migration herds are not around. So whatever time of year you travel, there are wonders to see.

You need to book well in advance to secure your choice of camp in the key migration areas during the peak periods of August-September and January-February. Prices are also at a premium during these times. The unpredictability of the migration in general and of the river crossings in particular means seeing the migration is by no means guaranteed, even at the right time of year. So it may be that for reasons of availability, budget or timing that you miss the migration herds, or perhaps you prefer a quieter safari experience, but the incredible resident wildlife of this region means you’ll still have a fantastic safari.

If seeing the migration is important to you, picking a camp or lodge in the right location is vital – the key areas being the Masai Mara and the far north Serengeti (July to October) and the Serengeti’s southern plains (January to March). In the Masai Mara most camps are within easy reach of the Mara River; the private conservancies are a little further away but offer a quieter game viewing experience. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is vast so picking a camp in the right location is important.

There’s a host of accommodation options to choose from, whether you’re after a luxurious tented suite with private pool, prefer the solid walls of a comfortable safari lodge or fancy the sense of adventure you get from staying at a mobile tented camp which moves to be near the migration (complete with bucket shower!). Here are some of our favourites in the key migration areas:

Masai Mara – 5★ luxury at Elewana Sand River Mara and the ever popular 4★ Governors’ Camp both enjoy riverside locations.

Serengeti  – enjoy a private pool at 5★ Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge or a mobile camp experience at 4★ Lemala Mara Tented Camp.

Speak to our expert travel consultants to choose the right property for you.

For more inspiration, take a look at our Safari Holidays pages.