Serengeti Great Wildebeest Migration
Great Wildebeest Migration
Experience the amazing Great Wildebeest Migration with Mtembezi Africa Safaris. This incredible event is a must-see for wildlife lovers. Watch over a million animals, including wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles, as they journey across the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Starting in the southern Serengeti plains near Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where calves are born, they travel to the lush grasslands of Kenya’s Masai Mara.
The migration is full of drama. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas hunt against the backdrop of the savannah. Despite the dangers, new life begins as thousands of calves are born, showing nature’s strength and the cycle of life.
Join Mtembezi Africa Safaris to see this extraordinary event. The Great Wildebeest Migration is not just a wildlife event; it’s an experience that connects you to the beauty and power of nature. This journey will leave you with unforgettable memories.
The Great Migration stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring wonders of the natural world. With up to 1,000 animals per square kilometer, the majestic columns of wildebeest are so vast that they can be observed from space. This unparalleled phenomenon involves over 1.2 million wildebeest, accompanied by 300,000 zebras, as well as topi and other gazelles, embarking on an extraordinary journey through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of vital sustenance and water.
This epic migration is driven by the seasonal rains, prompting these herds to move in a circular route through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. As the dry season approaches, the wildebeest and their companions traverse vast plains, cross treacherous rivers, and face numerous predators like lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Their journey is fraught with peril, but it is also a time of renewal, as new generations of wildebeest calves are born, continuing the cycle of life.
A Month-by-Month Breakdown of the Great Migration
With climate change, the long and short rainy seasons in Tanzania and Kenya are no longer as regular or predictable as they once were. The rains can be late or early, which will throw the whole wildebeest calendar out of synch. This is, once again, why it’s important to plan for as much time on safari as possible. You cannot fly in for two nights, see a river crossing and fly out again – nature simply doesn’t work that way.
This is a very general guideline for where the herds are during the year – bearing in mind that the entire Gnu Migration is triggered by rain, which can be early, late or on time:
The Great Migration in January, February and March
In January, the wildebeests finish traveling south and reach the eastern part of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, there’s lots of good grass for them to eat, which helps them take care of their new babies. Even though the migration doesn’t really have a clear beginning or end, we can say that when the wildebeests start having their babies, it marks a special time. By late January or early February, they settle in areas with short grass around the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and Olduvai Gorge. In just two to three weeks, an incredible 400,000 calves are born, which means almost 8,000 new babies every day.
During this time, you can hear the sounds of baby wildebeests and see their moms looking after them. It’s a time of lots of energy and new beginnings, showing how nature keeps going. For the wildebeests, having their babies here isn’t just a beginning but part of their journey, following their instincts and the changes in nature. They remind us how important it is to take care of the natural world where they live.
The Great Migration in April and May
After giving birth to their young in February and March, the wildebeest herds start moving northwest in April, heading for the fresher grass in the central Serengeti. They’re joined by thousands of zebras and smaller groups of antelopes. By May, you can see long lines of wildebeests stretching for miles as they gather.
In May, mating season begins, and male wildebeests start fighting each other. This period, called ‘the rut,’ is when the journey slows down a bit, with the wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles grazing as they move. As time passes, more and more animals join the migration, and the wildebeests start to group together in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. Although it might not be as famous as the Mara crossings, there are still plenty of wildebeests for the crocodiles in the Grumeti River to feast on. May is considered the low season at Ubuntu, which means fewer tourists but still fantastic wildlife sightings on safaris in the Serengeti.
The Great Migration in June and July
As June rolls in, the dry season begins, and you’ll find big groups of wildebeests in the Western Serengeti and along the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each animal in the migration faces the tough task of crossing this river, which is full of crocodiles—a tense and dangerous moment for them.
Moving from June to July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras keep heading north, sticking to the western side of the park. Their next big challenge? The Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. These river crossings are some of the most thrilling events in the animal kingdom. They usually start in July, coinciding with the high season, but it all depends on nature’s timing.
In July, you’ll often find the herds in the Northern Serengeti. During this time, you can witness daily river crossings at the Mara and Talek rivers, creating truly incredible scenes.
The Great Migration in August, September and October
By August, the herds have tackled the Mara River and are now spread out across the northern region of the Masai Mara, with many still lingering in the northern Serengeti. Crossing the river can be a perilous endeavor, especially when it’s flowing strongly. The chaos at these crossings, with predators lurking and currents surging, can result in significant losses of life among the animals. Even in years with gentler waters, crocodiles and other predators pose constant threats, waiting to ambush any wildebeest that manage to make it across. Each crossing spot varies: some have only a few individuals, while others witness a continuous stream of animals for hours on end.
As September turns into October, the peak chaos subsides, and the migrating herds gradually shift eastward. However, their journey isn’t over yet. They’ll soon face the daunting challenge of crossing the Mara River once more as they prepare for their return trip southward.
The Great Migration in November and December
After the short rains in East Africa in late October and early November, the wildebeests start their journey from Kenya towards the eastern part of the Serengeti, passing through Namiri Plains, which is famous for its cheetah sightings. By December, they’ve spread out across the eastern and southern parts of the Serengeti.
As the new month begins, the grass in the deep south of the Serengeti becomes lush with rain, attracting not just the wildebeests but also hundreds of thousands of zebras and other animals. This cycle repeats itself, and soon the calving season starts all over again.
The Great Migration is not only a remarkable natural event but also a crucial aspect of the ecosystem. It plays a significant role in shaping the landscape, dispersing nutrients, and maintaining the balance of the region’s flora and fauna. For those fortunate enough to witness it, the Great Migration offers an unforgettable glimpse into the raw and powerful beauty of nature’s grand design.
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