The Great Migration

The Migration Cycle: A Month-by-Month Guide

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The Great Migration is a continuous cycle, moving clockwise through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. Choosing the right time and place is essential to witness this spectacle. Here’s a breakdown of the herds' movements and the top camps to stay at different times of the year.

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January - March: Calving Season and Predators Galore

During these months, the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains are bustling with life. This is calving season, with around 500,000 wildebeest births, attracting numerous predators, making it the best time to see cheetahs.

Location: Southern Serengeti, Ndutu
Camps: Nasikia Luxury Mobile (£), Olakira (££), Alex Walker’s Serian (£££)

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April & May: Northward Movement

With the new calves in tow, the herds start their journey north. The central Serengeti is where you'll find the largest gatherings

.Location: Central Serengeti
Camps: Naona Moru (£), Dunia (££), Serengeti Safari Camp (£££), Singita Faru Faru (££££)

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June: Grumeti River Crossing

June is a crucial month as herds split and some head directly north while others move towards the western corridor, crossing the Grumeti River.

Location: Central Serengeti, Western Corridor
Camps: Naona Moru (£), Ubuntu (££), Serengeti Safari Camp (£££), Singita Faru Faru (££££)

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July - Early August: Mara River Crossing

The migration hits a dramatic peak as the herds brave the crocodile-infested Mara River in their push north into Kenya.

‍Location: Lobo, Kogatende (North Serengeti), Maasai Mara (Kenya)
Camps in Tanzania: Nasikia Luxury Mobile (£), Ubuntu (££), Alex Walker’s Serian (£££), Singita Faru Faru (££££)
Camps in Kenya: Mara Serena Safari Lodge (£), Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp (££), Governor’s Camp (£££), Angama Mara (££££)

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Mid-August - October: Mara River Drama

River crossings continue daily, offering spectacular views of this relentless journey in the remote northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara.

Location: Kogatende (North Serengeti), Maasai Mara
Camps in Tanzania: Nasikia Luxury Mobile (£), Olakira (££), Alex Walker’s Serian and Serengeti Lamai (£££)
Camps in Kenya: Mara Serena Safari Lodge (£), Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp (££), Governor’s Camp (£££), Angama Mara (££££)

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November & December: Unpredictable Movements

The herds head south again, splitting up across the central and southern Serengeti. This time is less predictable but still captivating.

Location: Central Serengeti, Loliondo, South Central Serengeti
Camps: Naona Moru (£), Dunia (££), Serengeti Safari Camp (£££), Pioneer (£££)

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Planning Your Visit

The Serengeti and Maasai Mara are fantastic year-round destinations, but timing your visit with the Great Migration can be tricky. Consult with experts to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time. Whether you choose the lush south during calving season, the dramatic river crossings, or the quiet northern plains, these regions always deliver remarkable experiences.

For the latest updates on the herds and tailored safari packages, contact our team at Royal Safari Collection. Your adventure awaits!

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