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More than 1.5 million wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, walk a year-long circle between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. The famous river crossings are only one chapter — the migration is somewhere spectacular every single month, if you know where to look. And with Africa posting the world's fastest tourism growth in 2025 (a record 81 million visitors), the best camps now sell out close to a year ahead.
The year in brief: December to March, the herds mass on the southern Serengeti's short-grass plains around Ndutu, where some 400,000 calves are born in a few weeks — prime predator action. April and May bring the long rains, emptier parks and the year's best lodge prices. June pushes the columns north-west to the Grumeti River, and from July to October the drama peaks with Mara River crossings between the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. November's short rains send them south again to start the loop anew.
Kenya or Tanzania? Kenyan logistics are easier from Accra — one-stop flights to Nairobi, then a short drive or hop to the Mara. And a 2025 rule change makes it easier still: since July 2025 Kenya is visa-free for citizens of all African countries (only Libya and Somalia still need an eTA), with stays of up to two months. Non-African passport holders simply apply online for Kenya's US$30 eTA before travel.
There is no single migration moment. There are twelve — one for every month you could choose to go.
Book July–October river-crossing camps 6–12 months in advance.
For predators and newborn calves, aim for February around Ndutu.
April–May is low season: fewer vehicles, greener plains, better prices.
African passport holders now enter Kenya visa-free — no eTA, no fee.
Non-African travelers: apply for the $30 Kenya eTA online before flying.
Whenever you go, the migration rewards patience: dawn drives, a good guide and a full memory card. Our Kenya Safari Supreme times the Masai Mara for crossing season — and we handle the eTA paperwork, park fees and camps end to end.
Saw two Mara crossings in three days in late August with Navigate Africa. The advice to book almost a year out is accurate — our camp was full the week we tried to extend.
Went in low season on this guide's advice — had a leopard sighting entirely to ourselves and paid nearly half the peak-season rate. Green season is underrated!
Stories, guides and travel news from the Navigate Africa team — taking travelers from Ghana to the globe since 2018.
