One herd, two countries, twelve months of movement. Here is where the migration actually is, and how to choose.
Plan a Migration SafariThe herds live in Tanzania's Serengeti for most of the year and cross the Mara River into Kenya's Masai Mara from roughly July to October. Choose Tanzania for calving season and sheer scale, and Kenya for easier, cheaper access to the river crossings and quieter private conservancies.
The Great Migration is a year-round circuit of around two million wildebeest and zebra through a single ecosystem that straddles the border. The Serengeti and the Masai Mara are two parts of the same system. Where you go depends entirely on when you travel and what you most want to see.
| Masai Mara, Kenya | Serengeti, Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Migration present | Roughly July to October | Year-round |
| River crossings | Mara River, July to October | Mara & Grumeti, June to October |
| Calving season | Not in Kenya | Southern Serengeti, late Jan to March |
| Park size | About 1,510 km² reserve, plus conservancies | About 14,750 km² |
| Daily park fee | Around USD 100 to 200 per person | Around USD 70 per person, plus taxes |
| Access | 45-minute flight from Nairobi | Fly via Kilimanjaro or Arusha to airstrips |
| Off-road driving | Allowed in private conservancies | Not allowed in the national park |
| Vehicles | Open-sided 4x4 | Closed 4x4 with pop-up roof |
| Pair with | Amboseli, Laikipia, Diani beach | Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Zanzibar |
| Best for | Crossings, conservancies, easy access | Year-round herds, calving, scale |
The herds spend most of the year in the Serengeti. Calving happens on the southern plains around Ndutu from late January to March, when roughly half a million calves are born in a few weeks. The columns move north and west through the Grumeti by June, reach the northern Serengeti and the Mara River by July, and spill into Kenya's Masai Mara from July to October before turning south again with the November rains.
The famous crossings happen on the Mara River, which runs through both the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. From July to October you can watch them from either side of the border. Kenya's Mara is smaller and the crossing points are concentrated, so sightings can be more reliable; the northern Serengeti around Kogatende is wilder and far less crowded. The Grumeti River in the western Serengeti also sees crossings around June.
Kenya is the easier and usually cheaper country to reach. The Masai Mara is a 45-minute flight from Nairobi, while the Serengeti is reached by light aircraft from Kilimanjaro or Arusha. Serengeti park fees are around USD 70 per person per day plus taxes; the Masai Mara reserve fee runs higher in peak season, roughly USD 100 to 200 per person per day, with private conservancy fees on top where you stay in one.
This is where Kenya pulls ahead for many travellers. The private conservancies bordering the Masai Mara allow off-road driving, night drives and walking, with strict vehicle limits at sightings. The Serengeti national park does not permit off-road driving, and its central Seronera area can be busy, though the park is so vast that the herds and the crowds spread out. Photographers often favour the Mara conservancies for the off-road access.
Tanzania pairs the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater, the elephants of Tarangire and the beaches of Zanzibar, making a classic two-week northern-circuit trip. Kenya pairs the Mara with elephants under Kilimanjaro at Amboseli, the conservancies of Laikipia and the coast at Diani. Both countries deliver the full Big Five alongside the migration.
Choose Tanzania if you want the herds at any time of year, the drama of calving season, or the scale of the southern plains. Choose Kenya if you are travelling between July and October, want the river crossings without the longer logistics, and value the off-road freedom and lower vehicle numbers of the conservancies. For the full story, many travellers combine both across the same border the wildebeest cross.
Both. The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania's Serengeti and cross into Kenya's Masai Mara from roughly July to October. The two parks are part of one ecosystem that straddles the border.
It depends on the month. For calving, the southern Serengeti from late January to March. For the Mara River crossings, the northern Serengeti or the Masai Mara from July to October.
Roughly July to October, when the herds reach the Mara River in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Crossings are unpredictable and depend on the rains, so several days improves your chances.
Kenya is usually cheaper to reach, with a short flight from Nairobi. Serengeti park fees are lower at around USD 70 a day, but Tanzania's longer logistics and northern-circuit costs often even things out.
Yes, but only in the Serengeti, where the herds are present every month. In the Masai Mara the migration is seasonal, arriving around July and moving back into Tanzania by late October or November.
Calving is the few weeks from late January to March when around half a million wildebeest calves are born on the southern Serengeti plains near Ndutu. It draws intense predator activity and happens only in Tanzania.
Only in Kenya's private conservancies, which allow off-road driving, night drives and walking. The Serengeti and the Masai Mara national reserve keep vehicles on the tracks.
Yes. You can cross the border by road or light aircraft and see both sides of the migration on one trip. It works best around July to October, when the herds are near the shared Mara River.
Tell us roughly when you would like to travel and what you most want to see. Every enquiry is answered personally by Jarryd, a former Sabi Sands guide and Head Ranger at andBeyond Phinda, usually within 24 hours. No set packages, no booking fees.
