When Is the Best Time to See the Wildebeest Migration?

The wildebeest migration follows rainfall, not a fixed calendar, but its broad pattern repeats each year. From December to March, herds calve on the southern Serengeti plains. From April to May, they move northwest as the plains dry out. By July, most of the herd is crossing into the Maasai Mara, with the dramatic Mara River crossings running from July through September, before the herds begin drifting south again in November. For visitors, this means the calving season offers dense concentrations of animals and predators in one area, while July to September is best for river-crossing drama. No two years are identical, so a good local guide who tracks current herd positions is worth more than any fixed itinerary.