What is the best time to visit the Great Migration?

Now? The Great Migration is a year round event in the Serengeti with the big herds of wildebeest and zebra moving through the different parts of this amazing national park, following the rains for best grass. There is actually no best time to see the migration, well all times outside the short and big rains. One only needs to keep in mind when planning the safari where the herds are at what time of the year.

Nonetheless August seems to be high season or the best time to see the Great Migration, but why? From the middle of July until the beginning of September the Great Migration is in the northern part of the Serengeti, the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. In the Masai Mara the big herds cross the Mara River and these spectacular river crossings are what every visitor wants to see. Hundreds and thousands of animals dramatically cross the river where strong currents make it hard for them to swim and crocodiles wait for the feast of the year not to speak of the steep river banks they have to go down and up. It is perhaps the most impressive sight one can have on African safari and the most spectacular event for all wildlife photography enthusiasts.

However it is also the time of the year with the most safari vehicles and people and one needs to be prepared to share a Mara River crossing with 40 other vehicles. This is the downside of it, but the event makes it all worthwhile. Words can hardly explain how it feels to be out in the Mara for the whole day, spending often long hours waiting at the crossing for the herds to decide to go and then when finally hundreds or thousands of wildebeest make the move and the drama unfolds, all the waiting is forgotten and the most impressive safari sighting is offered to the patient visitor. African wildlife rewards patience and safari sightings require often a lot, but are so worth it.


Choose your own best time to see the Great Migration. Maybe it will not be the Mara River crossing, but the calving of the wildebeest in February or the big herds in Grumeti. Or go at times when only few people go and have the wildlife for yourself.

Happy safari travel!


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa