What is the Great Migration?
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest herd movement of land animals on Earth. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and hundreds of thousands of gazelles travel in a continuous circular loop across the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. BMC Tours & Safaris specializes in planning customized itineraries that follow these massive herds, ensuring you are in the right place at the right time.
Driven by rainfall and the search for fresh pastures, the animals face dangerous river crossings filled with giant Nile crocodiles, and constant pressure from predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. It is an unforgettable safari experience that tops the bucket list of travelers worldwide. Partner with BMC Tours & Safaris to witness the legendary river crossings at the Mara and Grumeti rivers firsthand.
Month-by-Month Guide
Where to Experience the Great Migration & When to Go
The herds move in response to seasonal rains. While wildlife viewing is exceptional year-round, here is where to find the migration at different times of the year:
Jan - March Calving Season
Located in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born, attracting high predator activity.
April - May Green Season Journey
The herds move northwest towards the Western Corridor as the grass dries. Expect long lines of herds moving through the central plains.
June - July Grumeti River Crossing
Herds gather in the Western Serengeti. The dramatic crossings of the Grumeti River begin, offering incredible predator action.
Aug - October Mara River Crossing
Located in Northern Serengeti. This is the peak crossing season of the Mara River, featuring jaw-dropping crocodile encounters.
Nov - December The Return South
Short rains prompt the herds to head south along the eastern border back to the fresh grasslands of Southern Serengeti.
Safari Itineraries
Featured Migration Packages
Compare our popular Great Migration safari packages. Every tour can be customized to match your dates, budget, and preference.
3 Day Private Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Mid Range Safari Big Five Wildlife Experience
Experience an unforgettable mid range private safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS through the legendary Serengeti ...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
3 Day Serengeti April May Migration Transition Safari Southern to Central Movement
Experience the dramatic Great Migration transition season in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS,...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park
3 Day Serengeti December Migration Calving Preparation Southern Plains Safari
Experience the powerful Great Migration calving preparation season in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS &...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park
3 Day Serengeti June July Migration Splitting Herds Western Corridor Safari Experience
Experience the dramatic Great Migration splitting phase in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS, a...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Western Corridor
3 Day Serengeti Kopjes Luxury Migration Experience in Private Wilderness Retreat
Experience an exclusive luxury safari in the heart of Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS, design...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park
3 Day Serengeti November Migration Return South Safari Lobo to Ndutu Movement
Experience the dramatic Great Migration return journey in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS as ...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Lobo, Ndutu
3 Day Serengeti Research Volunteer Migration Experience with Conservation Team
Join a unique conservation focused safari in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS, designed for tr...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park
3 Days Migration Season Safari Tarangire Giants and Serengeti River Crossings
This safari is timed exclusively for the migration season (July to October), when the Serengeti hosts one of n...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park
3-Day Central Serengeti Migration Safari Experience in Seronera Heartland Plains
Experience the power of the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS on this expert...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Seronera
4 Day Big Cat Express Route Village Culture and Central Serengeti Migration Safari Adventure
Experience a fast paced wildlife and cultural journey with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS through Lake Manyara National P...
You Visit: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Highlands, Serengeti National Park
4 Day Classic Migration Triangle Safari Tarangire Ngorongoro Serengeti Big Five Experience
Discover the ultimate northern Tanzania wildlife circuit with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS on this Classic Migration Tr...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
4 Day Fly-In Serengeti Migration and Tarangire Wildlife Combo Safari
Experience a dynamic fly-in safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS combining the vast plains of Serengeti National Pa...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Highlands
4 Day Lake Manyara Rift Valley Explorer and Central Serengeti Migration Safari Adventure
Experience a powerful northern Tanzania journey with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS through the scenic Lake Manyara Natio...
You Visit: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Highlands, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Big Five and Serengeti Migration Explorer Safari Tanzania
Experience a classic northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS combining Tarangire's elephant rich lan...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Budget Midrange Tanzania Migration Safari Serengeti Ngorongoro Experience
Experience an affordable Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS covering Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorong...
You Visit: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Classic Migration Circuit Safari Tarangire Ngorongoro Serengeti Big Five Experience Tanzania
Experience a classic northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS connecting Tarangire National Park, Ngo...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Express Serengeti Focus Safari Ngorongoro Crater and Wildebeest Migration Experience Tanzania
Experience a focused northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS connecting Karatu, the iconic Ngorongor...
You Visit: Karatu, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Fly-In Migration Express Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari Tanzania
Experience a fast paced fly-in safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS covering Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
5 Day Fly-In Serengeti Migration & Tarangire Safari Tanzania
Experience a dynamic fly-in safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS combining the Serengeti migration ecosystem and Ta...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park
5 Day Lake Manyara Culture and Serengeti Migration Safari Big Five and Ngorongoro Experience Tanzania
Experience a rich northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS combining Lake Manyara cultural landscapes...
You Visit: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Northern Circuit Classic Safari Tanzania Serengeti Migration and Ngorongoro Experience
Experience a classic northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS covering Maasai culture, Ngorongoro Hig...
You Visit: Mto wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Highlands, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Predator Intensive Route Serengeti Migration and Big Five Safari Tanzania
Experience a predator focused safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS across Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conse...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Scenic Highlands Route Serengeti Migration and Ngorongoro Safari Tanzania
Experience a scenic northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS focused on the Ngorongoro Highlands and ...
You Visit: Ngorongoro Highlands, Karatu, Serengeti National Park
5 Day Serengeti Deep Exploration Migration Safari Ngorongoro Tanzania Experience
Experience an immersive Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS focused on the Serengeti migration ecosystem ...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Highlands
5 Day Tarangire Serengeti Migration and Ngorongoro Big Five Safari Combo Tanzania
Experience a powerful northern Tanzania safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS combining Tarangire's elephant rich wi...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Maasai Lands, Ngorongoro Highlands, Serengeti National Park
6 Days Great Northern Circuit Safari Tarangire Elephants Serengeti Predators and Ngorongoro Crater Wonders
This is the journey that defines Tanzania. Six days across the Northern circuit's most legendary parks, crafte...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
6 Days Northern Serengeti & Mara River Crossing Safari Witness the Greatest Wildlife Spectacle on Earth
Witness nature's greatest drama unfold on this exclusive 6-day safari designed for the peak migration season b...
You Visit: Northern Serengeti, Mara River, Lamai Wedge, Ngorongoro Crater
6 Days Western Corridor & Grumeti River Safari Remote Serengeti, Crocodile Crossings and Exclusive Wilderness
Venture into the remote western reaches of the Serengeti, where the Grumeti River carves through ancient lands...
You Visit: Western Corridor, Grumeti River, Serengeti National Park
7 Days Big Five Migration Safari Tanzania Wildlife Adventure
Experience a 7 Days Serengeti Wildlife Adventure with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS, exploring Tanzania's top safari des...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
7 Days Extended Migration Explorer Tanzania Safari Experience
Experience a 7 Days Extended Migration Explorer Safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS through Tanzania?s most iconic...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
7 Days Fast Track Migration Plus Serengeti Safari Experience
Experience a 7 Days Fast Track Migration Plus Safari with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS, fully focused on Central Sereng...
You Visit: Central Serengeti
7 Days Great Migration River Crossing Safari Northern Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Timed for July through October, this safari positions you in the Northern Serengeti for the world's most drama...
You Visit: Northern Serengeti, Mara River, Lamai Wedge, Ngorongoro Crater
10-Day Luxury Fly-In Migration Safari from Zanzibar to Northern Tanzania
Experience the perfect combination of tropical relaxation, luxury accommodation, and extraordinary wildlife en...
You Visit: Zanzibar, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park
11 Days Serengeti Great Migration Wildlife Safari Experience
Experience an unforgettable 11-day Serengeti Great Migration Safari designed for wildlife lovers and migration...
You Visit: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Travel Advice
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the absolute best time to witness the Serengeti river crossings?
The river crossings are the most dramatic and sought-after events of the Great Migration. The famous Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti usually occur from late July through October, as the wildebeest cross back and forth between Tanzania and Kenya's Maasai Mara. Earlier in the year, around June and July, the herds cross the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor. Because the migration is driven entirely by rainfall and weather patterns, the timing can vary slightly from year to year. BMC Tours & Safaris specializes in tracking the herds and selecting mobile tented camps that position you directly near the major crossing points.
How many days should we dedicate to a Great Migration safari?
To increase your chances of witnessing a river crossing or seeing the massive herds in their millions, we strongly recommend spending a minimum of 4 to 6 days specifically within Serengeti National Park. Because the Serengeti is vast, this duration allows us to split your stay between different regions (such as Central Serengeti and Northern Serengeti) or spend consecutive days tracking the herd movements. A longer safari also ensures you do not feel rushed and gives you ample time to observe other wildlife, including predators like lions and cheetahs that closely follow the herds.
What is the calving season in the Serengeti and when does it occur?
The calving season occurs in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains between January and March. During this period, over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every single day. This abundance of young, vulnerable prey attracts exceptionally high concentrations of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and wild dogs. The Ndutu region becomes a spectacular arena for predator-prey interactions. It is a highly popular time for photographers who want to capture dramatic wildlife behavior on the open grasslands.
Should we choose a private safari or a group safari to see the migration?
We highly recommend booking a private safari with BMC Tours & Safaris for your migration experience. A private vehicle and guide give you complete control over your daily schedule. Witnessing a river crossing requires immense patience—often waiting hours by the riverbank for the herds to build up the courage to jump. On a group safari, you are bound by other travelers' preferences and schedules, whereas a private safari allows your guide to pack picnic lunches and spend the entire day waiting for that single, breathtaking crossing moment.
What kind of accommodation is best to stay near the Great Migration?
We recommend staying in mobile tented camps that move twice or three times a year to follow the herds' seasonal journey. These camps offer an authentic, intimate safari atmosphere, featuring comfortable walk-in tents with en-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds, and gourmet dining. By staying in a mobile camp in Ndutu during the calving season or in Northern Serengeti during the river crossings, you stay incredibly close to the action, minimizing morning driving times to reach the herds. We also offer luxury permanent lodges for those seeking maximum comfort.
Why do the wildebeest migrate and do they ever stop?
The Great Migration is a continuous, year-round search for fresh grazing grass and water, driven by seasonal rainfall patterns. The animals never stop moving; it is a circular route of over 800 kilometers across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. When the southern grasslands dry out in April, they head north toward the Western Corridor, eventually reaching the northern rivers by July/August. Once the short rains begin in the south around November, the herds retrace their steps back to the southern plains to start the cycle again with calving.