How the Great Wildebeest Migration Works
What is the Great Migration?
Nature’s oldest pilgrimage plays out on the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, as over a million wildebeest along with gazelle and zebra stragglers charge towards better grazing areas. This is the stage on which the 'greatest wildlife show on earth' plays out, as it is by far the greatest mass movement of land mammals on the entire globe. These mass ungulate herds cross plains and rivers as the seasons change and rain-ripened grasses are depleted in their area, forcing them to move on to the next.
More info The calving season in Tanzania's Serengeti
The Great Migration has been listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.. Not only does it offer incredible views of the plains dotted with huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, but the rivers are often infested with large Nile crocodiles lying in wait. Some of the best safari opportunities in the world are found here, across a landscape made up of volcanic grasslands and vast plains interrupted by rocky outcrops, rivers, and forests. Visiting the right area in the right season will treat travellers to astonishing sightings of this natural phenomenon.
These migrational herds also attract the attention of some of the continent's most renowned predators, ensuring that if travellers are following the Migration; big cats, crocodiles, and hyenas will never be too far behind.
Where is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration generally moves in a clockwise motion through the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania and the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya, and then back again forming one big circle. The herds visitors can see is dependant on the time of year and location they are visiting.
Read More About 5 of the Best Places to See the Great Migration in Tanzania
When is the Great Migration?
The exact timing and route of the migration changes from year to year and is entirely dependent on the rains.
In January and February, the annual rains hit the Serengeti allowing the female wildebeest to give birth. By March or April, the area has dried out and become desolate again so the massive grouping of animals are forced to move northwards towards Lake Victoria where they begin the mating season. After this, they head towards the Maasai Mara in June or July and this is where most people witness the sight of thousands of animals galloping across the plains and crossing the notoriously, crocodile-infested Mara River.
River crossings are best seen between July and September. The animals cross back and forth between the two areas during this time. In September, the animals cross back into the Serengeti. After September, there is still a tail end of the migration which lags behind the main herds. If you are late, you can still hope to catch the last of them. The animals then go back to the Serengeti plains from where they started at the beginning of the year.
In Tanzania, the best time to witness the migration is divided between two different periods. In the Southern Serengeti it is in February and March. The animals are grazing and can be seen in their immense numbers. It is also a good time to see the animals dropping their young. In contrast, river crossings are best seen between July and September in the northern Serengeti.
