The Great Migration in April: Where the Herds Are and What to Expect
Where the herds are in April, how wet the month really is, what it costs and who should choose March or May instead.
Read the guide →The Great Migration in February is the usual calving peak in the southern Serengeti: hundreds of thousands of calves, most born within a few weeks, on open plains where cheetah, lion and hyena hunt. This page settles where the herds stand, why the births bunch together, what a normal morning looks like, what you pay and how early you must book. It is equally clear about the limits. There are no river crossings, not every morning brings a birth, and some days belong to the storms.
2 to 3 weeksthe window in which most calves are born
PeakFebruary is the usual height of calving
9 to 12 monthsthe minimum lead time for the best calving-zone camps
Noneriver crossings this month
The short answer
The Great Migration in February is in the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area, where calving usually peaks. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born, most within a window of two to three weeks, and cheetah, lion and hyena hunt around the herds. Expect warm weather with occasional storms, camps often priced as peak in the south, and a booking window of at least nine to twelve months.
Facts checked 12 October 2026. Fees, schedules and herd positions change, so we confirm them again when we quote.
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Where is the Great Migration in February?
In February the Great Migration is concentrated on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area. The landmarks are Ndutu, Kakesio, Lake Masek, Naabi Hill and the Gol Kopjes, along with the southern and eastern Serengeti and the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The wildebeest share this ground with plains zebra and Thomson's and Grant's gazelle.
Serengeti in February: a southern story
Serengeti in February is therefore a southern story. Central Serengeti around Seronera keeps its resident predators, but the wildebeest migration in February is not where the herds are, and nor is the northern Serengeti. The southern and central Serengeti migration guide explains how those areas relate.
Masai Mara in February
The Masai Mara in February sits outside the story. Kenya hosts the Serengeti herds roughly from July to October, and calving happens only on the Tanzanian side. If Kenya is your destination, our Great Migration in Kenya guide covers the right months.
Why the Great Migration in February is the calving peak
February is the usual peak because the herds are on the short-grass southern plains. The volcanic ash underneath the grass is rich in phosphorus and calcium, minerals that pregnant and nursing females need. The herds stay in this region while the calves arrive.
Calving starts in late December or January and usually runs from late January into March. February is the usual peak, with most calves born inside a window of two to three weeks and hundreds of thousands of calves on the plains. The timing can slip by two to four weeks in either direction, so the exact days cannot be named in advance.
For the biology and the full season, read our Serengeti calving season guide. For the wider loop the herds follow all year, see our Great Migration safari guide.
Guide's tip. Build flexibility into the plan, not just the dates. On a longer trip a split stay lets you follow the herds if they shift between areas.
What you will see on the Great Migration in February: births, cheetah hunts and big herds
A February morning on the plains brings large herds, calves beside their mothers and predators nearby. What you see on a given day varies, so treat what follows as a likely pattern, not a schedule.
Wildebeest migration in February: births and young calves
Births are the headline, because most calves arrive within a short window. A birth in progress is possible but never promised. Calves already moving with the herd are still a sight worth the drive.
Cheetah and lion hunts on open ground
Cheetah hunt on the open southern plains, and lions hunt the same herds. Hunts play out in open country, and your guide will tell you whether to wait or move on.
Hyena clans
Spotted hyena clans follow the herds, so they are part of the calving-plains picture alongside the cats.
Driving rules in the Ndutu area
Ndutu lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where off-road driving is permitted in some stretches, unlike most of Serengeti National Park. That allowance is one reason to spend part of the trip at Ndutu.
Photographer's note. Use continuous autofocus, rest the camera on a beanbag rather than a tripod, and bring a wide lens as well as a long one. Wide frames show the scale of the herds, and backlit dust at dawn and dusk adds drama.
February weather, demand and price
Great Migration February weather
Great Migration February weather is warm, with occasional storms, so pack for rain as well as sun. Our best time to visit Tanzania guide holds the general climate picture.
Demand and price
Demand is the pressure point. The best calving-zone camps sell out first, so February needs one of the longest booking lead times of the year.
Price reflects demand. February is often priced as peak in the southern Serengeti, while March, April and May are green-season months. As an indicative guide, Premium camps usually sit at US$750 to 1,300 per person per night when priced as peak, and Luxury camps at US$1,300 to 2,500 or more. Comfort camps typically range from US$450 to 750. Your quote confirms the exact figure for your dates.
Park fees are charged per person, and our quotes normally include them. These are the published 2026 figures for non-resident adults, and the 2027 tariff is confirmed in your quote.
| Fee | Published 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee (applies to Ndutu) | US$70 plus 18% VAT, about US$82.60 per 24 hours |
| Serengeti National Park conservation fee | US$70 plus 18% VAT, about US$82.60 per 24 hours |
| Serengeti concession fee when staying in the park | About US$60 plus VAT per night |
For a fuller view of what a trip costs, see our Tanzania safari cost guide.
Where to stay in February
Where to stay in February is decided by distance to the calving herds, so choose the area first and the camp second. Camp positions and availability shift each season, and your quote confirms them.
| Level | Example camps |
|---|---|
| Comfort | Ndutu Safari Lodge; Lake Masek Tented Camp |
| Premium | Lemala Ndutu; seasonal mobile camps near Kakesio |
| Luxury | &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas; Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp (seasonal) |
Mobile camps shift position two or three times a year, while permanent lodges offer pools and larger rooms. Ask every camp how far it is from the action. A camp 20 minutes from the herds rather than 90 can add roughly two hours of viewing a day.
How many nights and how to book February
For a Great Migration February safari we recommend at least four nights in the calving zone, so a single quiet or stormy morning does not decide the trip. Add nights in central Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater if you want a broader first Tanzania safari, and our Ngorongoro Crater guide shows what the crater adds.
Book at least nine to twelve months ahead. Peak calving-zone camps sell out first, and early booking matters more than finding the perfect dates. The month-by-month windows are tabled in our guide to how far ahead to book a migration safari.
The package built for this month is the Tanzania Grand Migration Explorer, ten days from US$7,200 per person, timed for calving (late December to March) or for crossings (late June to September), flying between Ndutu, Seronera and Kogatende. Its terms sit on the itinerary page. Hops between airstrips are priced separately unless the itinerary lists them, typically at about US$250 to 500 per person for each leg.
A balloon flight over the plains costs roughly US$550 to 750 per person and is weather-dependent, so book it early. Our hot air balloon safari cost guide covers the details.
Who the Great Migration in February suits, and when to pick a different month
February suits travellers whose priority is the births and the predators that follow them.
- First-time visitors who want the herds, big cats and open views in one place.
- Photographers who want movement, drama and big skies.
- Travellers who can plan nine to twelve months ahead and accept rates that are often priced as peak.
Be aware. February has no river crossings, not every morning has births and some days are affected by storms. Nothing in this season is promised, and the timing can slip by weeks.
Choose a different month if river crossings are the goal, since those come mainly from July onwards. Choose the Great Migration in January if you want lower rates and can accept arriving before the peak. Choose the Great Migration in March if you prefer green-season rates and can accept that the calves are already stronger.
Book your Great Migration in February safari
- Confirm your window. February is the usual peak, but the calving timing can run weeks early or late.
- Decide how many nights you want in the Ndutu area and what else to add, such as the crater or central Serengeti.
- Tell us your group size, camp level and passport nationality so we can price the trip and check entry rules.
- Book as early as you can, ideally nine to twelve months ahead, before the calving-zone camps fill.
Reserve your February calving safari
Send us your dates and group, and we will check which calving-zone camps still have space and what they would cost.
Plan my tripStill weighing other months? Compare them in the Great Migration by month calendar, or follow the full routine in how to plan a migration safari.
Keep reading: related Great Migration guides
Great Migration month by month
Twelve months compared, with a page for each one.
Great Migration in January
Where the herds are in January, the weather and who should go.
Great Migration in March
Where the herds are in March, the weather and who should go.
Serengeti or Masai Mara for the migration
Which side of the border suits your dates, budget and style.
For the whole picture, see our Great Migration safari guide. If you are ready to price a trip, Tanzania Grand Migration Explorer starts from US$7,200 per person.