Activity: Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

Serengeti wildebeest migration is the movement of vast numbers of the Serengeti’s wildebeest, the Serengeti wildebeest migration is always accompanied by large numbers of zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, eland and impala. the Serengeti wildebeest migration is moves in an annual pattern which is fairly predictable. They migrating throughout the year, constantly seeking fresh grazing and, it’s now thought, better quality water. The precise timing of the Serengeti wildebeest migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year.

The Serengeti wildebeest migration, is one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World” and also known as The World Cup of Wildlife. If there is a safari you should go on, then Serengeti wildebeest migration has it be it. The Maasai Mara and the Serengeti National Park together form what no other reserve or park in Africa can! It is incredible, it is magical, it is indescribable and it is a must! Nowhere in the world is there a movement of animals as immense as the Serengeti wildebeest migration; over two million animals migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya during July through to October.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the last mass terrestrial wildlife movements left on the planet and the chief reason why so many safari-lovers venture to the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem, especially at mid-year. The Migration is one of nature’s greatest paradoxes: your timing is absolutely everything but there is no way to predict the timing of the animals’ movement. We know that the wildebeest (and a smattering of zebra and antelope) will cross the Mara River – but we don’t know exactly when. We know that rain will trigger those same plains game to move onto fresh grazing – but we don’t know when that rain will come.

Serengeti wildebeest migration From January to December

JANUARY Serengeti wildebeest migration: The herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, moving back down south from the north-east region and into the area of the Southern Serengeti, Lake Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (they do not enter the Ngorongoro Crater – those are resident wildebeest). The Serengeti is not fenced so the herds are free to move where they can find grazing.

Remember that although up to two million wildebeest, zebra and antelope form the Migration, they are not all in a single herd. The animals break up into mega-herds of thousands or hundreds of individuals at time. It is calving season – prepare yourself for lots of wobbly babies… and lots of heartbreak as predators swoop in. If you want productive big-cat action, the Southern Serengeti supplies it with lions, brown hyenas, leopards and even wild dogs taking advantage of vulnerable calves.

FEBRUARY Serengeti wildebeest migration: The good grazing of the Southern Serengeti, Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation Areas means the herds remain in the far south. The rut is generally in full swing with males jousting for the right to mate with receptive females. This means that when the fertile females finally reach the Mara, Talek and Grumeti Rivers many months later, they are heavily pregnant, making their feat even more incredible.

MARCH Serengeti wildebeest migration: They are generally still in the south but the grasses have all been munched up, the last calves born and the herds are starting to gather in preparation for the next leg of their journey.

APRIL Serengeti wildebeest migration: The wildebeest generally begin their northward journey, and many have left already and are in the central and even western Serengeti.

MAY Serengeti wildebeest migration: Wagons roll! The massed herds are on the go, huge columns of up to 40 kilometres / 25 miles in length can be sometimes be seen as the wildebeest funnel up into the central and western Serengeti. Water sources are starting to dry out as the dry season begins to bite, hence the march towards the Mara River.

JUNE Serengeti wildebeest migration: Head for the central and western Serengeti – the herds are usually there and getting ready for the toughest part of their odyssey. The weather is cooler and much drier and while there are fewer bugs, there is more dust so prep your camera equipment accordingly.

JULY Serengeti wildebeest migration: Book early – it is the Big Event: the start of the major river crossings. The herds have reached the western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserves and are peering closely at the brown waters of the rivers they have to cross. Why? Huge Nile crocodiles, that is why!

As mentioned, it is impossible to predict crossings. Book up to a year in advance to get a lodge on or as close to the river as possible – this cuts down on travel time to lookout points. The wildebeest do have historical crossing areas and you may spend days staked out in the hope of seeing the action.

AUGUST Serengeti wildebeest migration: The survivors celebrate by feasting in the northern Serengeti and begin crossing into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. You need a passport to cross; the wildebeest are exempt. The national reserve is open to members of the public so for a more exclusive experience, head for the many community-run conservancies that border the reserve.

SEPTEMBER Serengeti wildebeest migration: The herds break up into smaller groups – about half of the animals remain in the northern Serengeti, the rest are swapping stories in the Masai Mara (‘Did you hear that Nigel didn’t make it across the Grumeti?’). The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is just that – one system that has been artificially divided by humans. The herds will be spread out, making the most of water and food.

OCTOBER Serengeti wildebeest migration: Your best bet is the Masai Mara but bear in mind it is a far smaller reserve than the Serengeti and there may be a lot of other visitors. The conservancies in the Mara are much less crowded and, not only will you still be able to witness the Migration, you will also be benefitting the Maasai communities who have lived there for thousands of years.

NOVEMBER Serengeti wildebeest migration: In a ‘normal year’ the short rains have begun, propelling the wildebeest to leave the now denuded grasslands of the Masai Mara and back into the rejuvenated Serengeti. Bear in mind that the rain can be ‘late’ or ‘early’, which is also unpredictable.

Although many people think of Africa as a hot place, the rain can cool things down dramatically. You’ll be out on early morning and late afternoon game drives, times of day when the sun is at its weakest. Take at least one pair of trousers, closed shoes that can cope with mud (Crocs are lightweight for your limited luggage space and dry quickly although they don’t meet many travellers’ aesthetic demands!) and a fleece or waterproof jacket.

DECEMBER Serengeti wildebeest migration: Fresh grazing sees the wildebeest clustered in the north-eastern Serengeti (around Lobo in particular) as well as the southern Serengeti. Calving begins again, the predators move in again, and the cycle of life begins all over again.