Stages of the Great Wildebeest Migration
5 Stages of the Great Migration | Wildebeest Annual Cycle & Seasons.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a year-round movement of roughly 1.3 million wildebeest, along with large numbers of zebra and gazelle, across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya. There is no fixed route or timetable. The herds follow the rains, fresh grass and water, so the five stages of the great wildebeest migration below describe a seasonal pattern rather than a schedule.
The Five Stages at a Glance
| Stage | Typical period | Main area | What happens? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calving season | Jan–Mar | Southern Serengeti, Ndutu | Huge numbers of calves are born; predators gather. |
| Central Serengeti movement | Apr–May | Seronera and Central Plains | Herds move north and west as the southern grass dries. |
| Grumeti and northern movement | May–Jul | Western Corridor, northern Serengeti | Part of the herd passes through the Grumeti area. |
| Mara phase | Jul–Oct | Northern Serengeti, Maasai Mara | Herds spread through the north; river crossings occur. |
| Return south. | Oct–Dec | Northern, eastern and central Serengeti | Herds gradually move back toward the southern plains |
What Is the Great Wildebeest Migration?
Think of it as a loop that never really starts or stops. Wildebeest need short, nutritious grass and reliable water, and in this part of Africa both shift with the rains. As grazing conditions change, animals move toward areas where fresh grass and water are available. Zebra and gazelle travel with them, each species grazing in a slightly different way, which is partly why the mixed herds work so well.
The annual movement is often described as covering roughly 800 to 1,000 kilometres, but there is no single fixed distance. Treat that as a rough guide. The herds spread over a wide landscape, split into groups, double back and change their minds, so no two years cover exactly the same ground.
Stage 1: Calving Season (January to March)
The year’s most concentrated activity happens on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti National Park and around Ndutu. Large numbers of calves are born within a few weeks, with the main calving peak often occurring in February, and that is a survival trait, because the newborns are hard to miss. That is a survival trait, because the newborns are hard to miss.
Lions, cheetahs, leopards and spotted hyenas gather accordingly. Open plains make the action easy to follow, which is why this is a favourite period for travellers who want predator behaviour rather than river drama. Exact timing shifts with the rains, so a “peak week” is never guaranteed.
Stage 2: Central Serengeti Movement (April to May)
As the southern grass dries, the herds start leaving. Long columns move north and west through the Moru Kopjes and the Seronera valley, though plenty of animals linger where grazing is still good. April and May also overlap with the rut, when territorial bulls compete and call loudly across the plains.
Some people call this stage the “limbo” phase, and you may see that term elsewhere. It is better understood as a gradual, uneven departure than a pause. This is also the green season, with fewer vehicles on the tracks and lower accommodation prices in many camps, though rain can slow game drives.
Stage 3: Grumeti and Northern Movement (May to July)
From about May, parts of the migration move through the Western Corridor, where the Grumeti River cuts through riverine forest. The river crossings in this area are generally less widely documented and less famous than the Mara River crossings, but they can still be dramatic, but Nile crocodiles are present, and animals may still face strong currents, steep banks and crocodiles when crossing.
Not every animal comes this way. Many herds take a more central or eastern line north, so the Western Corridor can be busy one year and thin the next. June is often a sensible month to try for it, though herd location varies considerably.
Stage 4: Northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara (July to October)
This is the stage most people have in mind. Herds gather near the Mara River in the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and some attempt crossings where steep banks, strong currents and crocodiles make the water dangerous.
It is more complicated than a single one-way crossing into Kenya. Herds may cross from Tanzania into the Mara, cross back again, wait on one bank for days, or approach the water and turn away. Rainfall upstream, river levels and herd behaviour all play a part. Crossings are generally associated with July to October, but they can happen outside that window.
Predators such as lions, hyenas and crocodiles may take advantage of vulnerable animals around river crossing areas, but a crossing does not automatically become a mass kill. Many animals get across without incident. Between crossings, the herds spread over the open grasslands of the Mara and nearby conservancies, grazing until the grass thins out.
Stage 5: Return South (October to December)
When the short rains arrive in the south, fresh grass follows. The herds gradually move back through the northern and eastern Serengeti, passing areas such as Lobo before reaching the southern plains again by December. The return is less photographed than the crossings, but it has a character of its own: green landscapes, dramatic storm light and far fewer visitors.
By December, large concentrations are typically back in the southern Serengeti, where the cycle moves toward the next calving season.
Can the Migration Be Predicted?
The broad pattern is reliable. The exact location of the herds on a given day is not. Rain decides where the grass grows, and herd behaviour decides how quickly animals follow it.
So a Kenya safari booked for August will fall within the Mara phase, but that does not promise a crossing on a particular morning or at a particular point. Safari guides track the herds daily, and a flexible plan with a few nights in one area gives you better odds than a tight itinerary.
Which Stage Suits Your Safari?
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Newborn calves and predator action | January to March |
| Green scenery and fewer visitors | March to May, or November to December |
| The Grumeti area and Western Corridor | May to July |
| Mara River crossings | July to October |
| A Kenya-focused migration safari | July to October |
| A quieter migration experience | January to February or parts of April–May |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five stages of the Great Migration?
Calving season, the central Serengeti movement, the Grumeti and northern movement, the Mara phase, and the return south.
When is the calving season?
Usually late January through March in the southern Serengeti and around Ndutu, with a peak that often falls in February.
When are wildebeest commonly seen in the Maasai Mara?
Large concentrations are commonly seen in the Maasai Mara from July into September or October, depending on rainfall, grazing conditions and herd movements.
When do Mara River crossings happen?
Mostly between July and October, though they can occur outside that window.
Does the migration happen every year?
Yes. It is a continuous annual cycle, but the exact timing and route change with the rains.
Where is the migration in December?
By December, large concentrations of wildebeest are typically moving through or gathering in the southern Serengeti as fresh grazing develops ahead of the calving season.
Planning a Great Migration safari? Chopper Tour and Travel can match your travel dates and interests to the most suitable part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, whether you’re interested in calving season, the Grumeti area or the Maasai Mara phase. Get in touch to start planning your itinerary.
