Great Migration Masai Mara: When to Go, Month by Month

The migration is a year-round loop between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, driven by the rains and the grass that follows them. There is no single start or finish. The herds spend most of the year in the Serengeti and come north into the Mara for the dry months, which is when the dramatic river crossings take place.

Where the herds are, month by month

Months	Where the herds usually are
January – March	Southern Serengeti, Tanzania. Calving season, with hundreds of thousands of calves born, mostly around February.
April – May	Moving north and west through the central Serengeti during the long rains.
June	Western Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River.
July – August	Northern Serengeti and into the Masai Mara. Mara River crossings begin.
September – October	In the Masai Mara, with crossings back and forth over the Mara River.
November – December	Heading south again through the Serengeti as the short rains arrive.

These are typical patterns, not fixed dates. In some years the herds arrive in the Mara early in July, in others not until August, and they can leave early if the rains come.

The Mara River crossings

The crossings are the highlight of the migration. Herds gather on the bank, sometimes for hours, before the first animals jump and the rest follow, with crocodiles waiting in the water and lions often nearby. Crossings can happen several times a day or not for days, and at different points along the river. Patience, a good guide and a camp near the river give you the best chance.

How to plan a migration safari

Go between July and October for the Mara, with August and September usually the most reliable months for crossings.
Stay at least three nights. More time means more chances at a crossing.
Choose your area. The Mara Triangle and the central reserve along the river have many crossing points. See our Masai Mara lodges.
Book early. Camps near the river fill up months ahead for these dates.

The Mara outside migration season

The Mara is excellent all year. The resident lions, leopards and cheetahs stay, the plains are quieter, and prices are often lower. January and February are dry and good for game viewing, and the green season around April and May is the quietest time.

Combining the migration with gorillas

July to September is also dry season in Uganda and Rwanda, which makes it a good time to pair gorilla trekking with the migration. See Uganda and Kenya safaris and our Kenya safari tours.