Every year, more than a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, travel in a vast loop between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing. It is not a single event but a continuous cycle, and the secret to seeing it well is being in the right place at the right time.
The herds gather in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area for calving season in roughly January to March. They move north and west through the central and western Serengeti in the middle of the year, and from about July to October they are commonly found in the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, where the dramatic Mara River crossings take place. Movements shift with the rains, so no one can promise a crossing on a particular day, but a well chosen itinerary and a patient, skilled guide give you the best possible chances.
We select camps and conservancies that place you close to the action while keeping vehicle numbers low, and we build in enough time so that you are not rushed. Because the prime season is also the busiest, we recommend booking twelve months or more in advance.
