The Great Wildebeest Migration | Serengeti Safari

The Great Wildebeest Migration the annual migration of giant herds of grazers across Northern Tanzania and Kenya is a truly spectacular event. Over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of green pasture, in a regular pattern. This is surely one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.

When and where is the Great Wildebeest Migration?

From July till September:  This is when the wildebeest are in the northern Serengeti plains, and you have a chance of seeing up to thousands crossing the great Mara River. As the sight of the wildebeest crossing the so dramatic, it is considered by many the most desirable time to see the migration

October and November:  are the short rains, Crossing the Mara River northbound means that, at one point, the herd needs to cross the river one more time before commencing the trek back in a southerly direction. This usually happens in October, but sometimes earlier. In this period the herd will cross the northern plains and Lobo area. This section of Serengeti National Park is little-visited, so if you are looking to see the migration in relative quietness, this would be the time. The wildebeest return to the short- grass plains and calving ground around Ndutu in late November. And from here, the Great Migration starts all over again.

From December till April:  the wildebeest migration is in the southern part of the Serengeti, in the Ndutu area which is actually in Ngorongoro conservation area. In February half a million calves are born on these southern plains. You can also see a lot of predators at this time, who are all waiting for the change to get an easy prey. Around April the herds head for the central and western part of the Serengeti, in search of fresh long grass. The rains start and the mating season begins.

In May and June: This is the period that the wildebeest, after having feasted on the short green grasses of the south-eastern Serengeti and after having giving birth to their offspring, start getting ready for their 800 kilometer-long trek. The actual starting date may be anytime between late April and early June. This is the time to you may have the privilege to see one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world: more than a million marching animals in a column up to 40 kilometers long. During the migration, the herd will move towards the Western Corridor, where they will face the first major obstacle: crossing the Grumeti River. Many animals don’t survive the crossing as they are being awaited by the area’s population of over sized crocodiles ready to feast. The herd may congregate on the southern bank of the river and stay there for up to two weeks before crossing the river.

The Great Wildebeest Migration | Serengeti Safari