Everyone plans a Mara trip around “the migration,” but the migration is not one event — it is a slow, months-long loop of grazing and river crossings, and where the herds are changes by the week. Booking around the calendar rather than the calendar year makes the difference between a good game drive and a Mara River crossing you remember for life.
How the migration actually moves
Roughly two million wildebeest, plus zebra and gazelle, follow rainfall in a clockwise loop between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. They are not on a fixed schedule — rainfall timing shifts the herds earlier or later each year — but the broad pattern repeats annually.
Month by month
November – December. Herds head south into the Serengeti’s southern plains, drawn by the short rains. Little migration activity in the Mara itself, though resident wildlife viewing stays strong.
January – March. Calving season in the southern Serengeti, well outside the Mara. Not the window for Kenya migration viewing, but a strong season for general Mara game drives with fewer crowds.
April – May. Long rains across the ecosystem. Herds are on the move north but rarely reach the Mara yet. Lodge rates drop significantly in this shoulder season.
June – July. The herds push north through the western Serengeti corridor and start reaching the Mara River. Late June into July typically brings the first crossings — chaotic, crocodile-watched fords that are the classic “migration” image.
August – September. Peak season. The bulk of the herd is grazing across the Mara’s plains and conservancies, with crossings happening on and off throughout. This is also peak pricing and peak crowds at the main river crossing points.
October. Herds begin drifting back south as the Mara dries out, with crossings continuing in the first half of the month before movement south picks up.
Where to base yourself
Camps inside the conservancies bordering the reserve tend to have fewer vehicles per sighting and more flexible game-drive rules than camps inside the main reserve boundary, which matters most during the July–October crush. See our guide to Africa’s ultra-luxury safari camps for specific picks.
FAQ
Is the migration guaranteed if I visit in August? No sighting in the wild is guaranteed, but August through September is the most reliable window for both herd presence and river crossings.
Is the Mara worth visiting outside migration months? Yes — resident lion, elephant and giraffe populations mean strong game viewing year-round, and shoulder months bring lower rates and fewer vehicles. See our month-by-month East Africa safari guide for the wider picture beyond the Mara alone.
Related
- Maasai Mara Travel Guide — plan the full trip
- Best Time for an East Africa Safari — the wider seasonal picture
- Ultra-Luxury Safari Camps — where to stay
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