Great Migration

About

About this experience.

The Great Migration is not a single event. It is a continuous circular movement of more than 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra, governed entirely by rainfall and the growth of grass across the Serengeti ecosystem. What draws travellers from every corner of the world to Tanzania is the river crossing, and there is nowhere on Earth where this drama plays out on a greater scale than in the Serengeti. The first major crossing point is the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti, typically active from May through July. The Grumeti is a narrower, more intimate crossing than the Mara and the crocodiles here are among the largest in Tanzania. The Western Corridor sees fewer visitors than the north, making it one of the more rewarding parts of a Serengeti migration itinerary for travellers who want the experience without the crowds. By July the herds have pushed deep into the Northern Serengeti and the Mara River crossings begin in earnest. Thousands of wildebeest gather on the southern bank, milling and testing the water, turning back, then surging forward in an uncontrolled rush. The noise, the dust, the crocodiles rising from the shallows, and the sheer scale of animals moving as one mass is something that photographs cannot prepare you for. Crossings can happen multiple times a day or not at all. That uncertainty is part of what makes it so extraordinary. The Northern Serengeti between July and October is also exceptional for general game viewing. Resident lion prides, leopards along the Mara River banks, large elephant herds, and prolific birdlife mean that even on days when the herds are resting, the bush delivers. This is the Serengeti at full intensity. At Savannah and Sands, a Great Migration journey is built around your travel window and placed precisely in the corridor where the herds are moving. Many guests complete the experience with a few nights on the coast of Zanzibar, where the stillness of the Indian Ocean and the pace of Stone Town provide a natural close to the journey. From the noise of the Mara River crossing to the quiet of the Zanzibar shoreline, this is Tanzania in its fullest form.

Where to go

Best destinations for this experience.

Each destination below is tagged for this experience in our database. Click through for fees, lodges, drive times, and seasonality.

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  Grumeti Western Serengeti

  Western Circuit

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  Kogatende Northern Serengeti (Mara River)

  Serengeti National Park

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  Lamai Northern Serengeti

  Serengeti National Park

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  Ngorongoro Crater

  Ngorongoro Conservation Area

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  Seronera Central Serengeti

  Serengeti National Park

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  Tarangire National Park

  Tarangire Ecosystem

Common questions

FAQ.

• When is the best time to see the Great Migration river crossings in the Serengeti?

  The Mara River crossings in the Northern Serengeti are at their most active between July and October, with August and September typically offering the highest frequency of crossings. The Grumeti River in the Western Corridor is most active from May through July. Savannah and Sands matches your itinerary to the migration corridor that fits your travel dates.

• Where exactly do the Great Migration crossings happen in the Serengeti?

  There are two main crossing points inside the Serengeti. The Grumeti River in the Western Corridor is active from May through July and offers a more remote experience with fewer visitors. The Mara River in the Northern Serengeti is the primary crossing zone from July through October and is where the largest and most dramatic crossings take place.

• How long should I spend in the Northern Serengeti to see a river crossing?

  A minimum of three nights in the Northern Serengeti gives you a reasonable chance of witnessing a Mara River crossing. Four nights is more comfortable and significantly improves your odds since crossings are unpredictable and can happen multiple times in a day or not at all. Savannah and Sands recommends positioning camps close to the river for the fastest response when herds gather on the banks.

• How many animals are involved in the Serengeti Great Migration?

  More than 1.5 million wildebeest move through the Serengeti as part of the Great Migration, alongside approximately 400,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle. At the Mara River crossings, herds of tens of thousands can gather on the bank before a single crossing event.

• Can I combine a Serengeti Great Migration safari with a Zanzibar beach stay?

  Yes, and this is one of the most popular Tanzania itineraries we build on Savannah and Sands. A short domestic flight connects the Northern Serengeti directly to Zanzibar, where the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean provide a complete contrast to the intensity of the migration. Our AI trip builder handles the routing, timing, and lodge selection across both destinations in one seamless journey.

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