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 October is a month of leaving. The herds that spent August and September around the Mara River begin to drift south, back towards Tanzania. The crossings that filled the peak weeks thin out and often run southbound. This page settles where the wildebeest are likely to be, what you can expect to see, and how weather, crowds and rates behave. It also says when September or November would suit you better.
1.3-1.5 millionwildebeest in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, about
3-4 monthsthe Serengeti herds spend in Kenya, roughly July to October
US$200Maasai Mara reserve fee per adult per day in 2026
6-8 monthsthe lead time we advise, at least
The short answer
The Great Migration in October finds the herds drifting south from the Maasai Mara and the northern Serengeti. Mara River crossings can still happen, often southbound, but they are never guaranteed and are harder to predict than in September. Expect scattered herds, quieter camps, lower rates than at the height of the season, and the first short rains late in the month.
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 October?
In a typical year the herds are spread across a long stretch of country in October, from the Mara River in the north to the Lobo area in the east. The whole movement leans south. This describes a typical year, because the herds run two to four weeks early or late with the rains. A date that finds the herds well south in one year can find them still near the river in another.
That spread is the main difference from August and September, when the herds were spread across the Mara and the northern Serengeti. Our Great Migration safari guide explains the clockwise loop of about 800 to 1,000 km, and the month-by-month migration calendar shows where October sits inside it.
Serengeti in October: Kogatende, Lamai and the road towards Lobo
The northern Serengeti may still hold herds early in the month, around Kogatende and in the Lamai Wedge, between the river and the Kenya border. The hills of Bologonja and Wogakuria are quieter country with few vehicles. As the month goes on, the leading groups head south and east through Lobo. That is the Serengeti in October: a landscape in motion. Our northern Serengeti migration guide covers this country in detail.
Masai Mara in October: the last month of the Kenyan season
Kenya hosts the Serengeti herds for only three to four months, roughly July to October. October is therefore the end of the Masai Mara chapter. The central Mara and the Mara Triangle can still hold wildebeest and zebra early in the month. Animals that cross south into Tanzania leave the Kenyan side quieter. Our Maasai Mara National Reserve guide describes the reserve itself.
| Part of October | What the herds are likely to be doing | What it means for your plan |
|---|---|---|
| First days | Still around the Mara River and the northern Serengeti, with crossings possible in either direction | The best chance of a river scene, though never a promise |
| Middle of the month | Scattered into many groups, some heading south through Lobo | Fewer massed views; plan for plains drives and predators |
| Late October | The first short rains may arrive and set more animals moving | Positions change quickly; a flexible base matters |
What happens in the wildebeest migration in October: the drift south
The wildebeest migration in October is a slow retreat from the north, driven by rain and grass. Wildebeest follow fresh short grass, and fresh grass follows rain. The first short rains can arrive late in the month. By December the herds are on or near the southern plains, which sit on volcanic ash rich in phosphorus and calcium.
Because the movement is a drift and not a charge, the herds are more scattered than in August and September. A herd that fills the whole horizon is less predictable in October.
Predators in October
Predators remain part of the picture. Lions and spotted hyena follow the herds, cheetah hunt on the open plains, leopards use riverine trees and Nile crocodiles remain in the Mara River. A good October plan puts predators on the list beside the wildebeest.
Guide's tip. Follow the rain, not the date. The herds respond to the first good rain. Ask your guide what has fallen in the last week, and where. That answer is worth more than any date printed in a brochure.
Can you still see Mara River crossings in October?
Yes, Mara River crossings can still happen in October, but they are no longer the reason to choose the month. In a typical year they still occur, often southbound. No crossing is ever guaranteed, and none happens on a fixed day. Herds gather at the bank, mill, retreat and sometimes wait for days before they commit.
The likeliest window for crossings is mid-August to mid-September, so the odds in October are lower. A crossing can last minutes or over an hour. Vehicles wait well back until the herd commits, and they keep the landing zones clear. Our Mara River crossing timing guide explains the timing and the crossing points, so we will not repeat it here.
Be aware. If seeing a crossing is the only goal of your trip, choose September instead. October is better for travellers who want a quieter safari with the herds as part of a wider picture.
Great Migration October weather, crowds and price
October is quieter and generally lower-priced than August and September. It is dry, with the first short rains possibly arriving late in the month. The general climate of each country belongs in our guides to the best time to visit Kenya and the best time to visit Tanzania. For the migration, one point matters most. Great Migration October weather is mostly a question of when the first short rains fall, because the herds follow the rain.
Crowds
October is quieter than the peak weeks. Even in busy weeks the Tanzanian side is generally quieter than Kenya's central Mara, where the Lookout area draws the most vehicles. That makes October a sound month for guests who dislike queues of vehicles.
Price
Rates in October are usually lower than at the height of the season. The size of the step depends on the camp, because each camp sets its own calendar. October is a shoulder month, so a camp may price it nearer the peak bands or the green-season bands. As an indicative guide, the typical peak bands per person per night, sharing, are US$450 to US$750 for Comfort, US$750 to US$1,300 for Premium and US$1,300 to US$2,500 or more for Luxury. The green-season bands are US$350 to US$550 for Comfort, US$550 to US$900 for Premium and US$900 to US$1,700 for Luxury. The exact figures are confirmed in your quote.
Our quotes normally include park fees. For a non-resident adult in 2026, the figures are:
- Maasai Mara National Reserve: US$200 per adult per day. Children aged 9 to 17 pay US$50 each. Under 9 enter free. The ticket is valid 06:00 to 18:00.
- Serengeti National Park: a conservation fee of US$70 plus 18% VAT (about US$82.60) per 24 hours. A concession fee of about US$60 plus VAT applies per night when you sleep inside the park.
- Mara conservancy fees are usually included in the camp rate.
These tariffs may change at short notice, and all fees for 2027 are confirmed in your quote. Our East Africa safari cost guide shows how the pieces add up.
Where to stay in October for the migration
The short answer on where to stay in October is to choose the area first and the camp second, with at least four nights in the main area. The herds are moving south, so the best base keeps you close to the animals you most want to see. On a longer trip, a split stay of three nights around Kogatende or the Lamai Wedge and three in a Mara conservancy builds in flexibility. Build flexibility into the plan, not just the dates.
- Northern Serengeti, Kogatende and Lamai. Comfort: seasonal tented camps near Kogatende. Premium: Lemala Kuria Hills and Olakira Camp. Luxury: Sayari Camp, Nomad Lamai Serengeti and Singita Mara River Tented Camp.
- Maasai Mara and conservancies. Comfort: Ashnil Mara Camp and Basecamp Masai Mara. Premium: Rekero Camp, Governors' Camp beside Musiara Marsh, and Elephant Pepper Camp. Luxury: Angama Mara on the Oloololo Escarpment above the Mara Triangle, and Mara Plains Camp in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
These are examples only. Camp availability and positions change every season, and we confirm them in your quote. Ask one question of any camp: how far is it from the action? A camp 20 minutes from the river can give about two extra hours of viewing a day compared with one 90 minutes away. Our guides to where to stay in the Masai Mara and to the Mara conservancies go deeper on the Kenyan side.
Pairing a migration safari in October with other parks
A Great Migration October safari fits inside a longer trip, with the herds as one part of the plan. The Kenya & Tanzania Great Migration Grand Safari runs 12 days across the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. It spends four nights each side of the border and costs from US$8,900 per person. It fits June to October and late December to March. It suits a first migration trip that includes the crater.
If you only want Kenya, the Kenya Migration Explorer: Maasai Mara River Crossings is 8 days in the Mara Triangle, the central Mara and Mara North Conservancy, from US$6,100 per person. It is built for late July to early October, so it fits only the first days of the month. By then the Masai Mara is at the tail of its season.
There is no direct flight between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. Moving between them goes through Nairobi (Wilson) and Kilimanjaro or Arusha, which takes about half a day and adds cost. The reasons to cross are covered in our guide to combining Kenya and Tanzania, and the crater itself in the Ngorongoro Crater guide.
Who a migration safari in October suits, and who should choose another month
October suits travellers who value space, predators and a calm pace more than a reliable spectacle. It rewards guests who accept that the herds may be anywhere, and it pairs naturally with a second park.
- Choose October if you want quieter camps, lower rates than August and a mix of wildlife with the herds as part of it.
- Choose September if a river crossing is the main goal, because the odds peak from mid-August to mid-September.
- Choose November if you prefer the herds streaming south along the eastern side, with green-season rates, and accept the short rains.
- Choose December to March if you want the herds on the southern plains and the calving season.
Whichever month you pick, our migration safari planning guide shows how to turn the choice into an itinerary.
Plan your Great Migration in October trip
Plan a Great Migration in October trip at least six to eight months ahead. Early booking matters more than perfect dates, and the peak crossing-point camps sell out first.
- Decide whether crossings are your main goal, or whether you want a quieter safari with the herds as one part of it.
- Choose the side: northern Serengeti, the Maasai Mara, or both, remembering the half-day link through Nairobi and Kilimanjaro.
- Tell us your dates, group size and passport nationality, so we can check visas and fees.
- Allow at least four nights in the main area and, on a longer trip, ask about a split stay.
- Check the terms on the itinerary page of any package you are considering, since they are shown there.
Plan your Great Migration in October with our team
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will suggest where the herds are likely to be, which camps cover that country, and what the quote will include.
Plan my tripKeep reading: related Great Migration guides
Great Migration month by month
Twelve months compared, with a page for each one.
Great Migration in September
Where the herds are in September, the weather and who should go.
Great Migration in November
Where the herds are in November, 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, Kenya & Tanzania Great Migration Grand Safari starts from US$8,900 per person.