A world’s natural wonder. The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration is the annual movement of millions of wildebeests, thousands of zebras and smaller numbers of impalas, elands, Thomson’s and grant’s gazelles. The animals cover almost 2,000 miles on this migration which starts from the Southern region of the Serengeti National Park.
The great migration takes place in the Serengeti ecosystem which covers parts of North Tanzania and South Kenya in Maasai Mara National Reserve. The animals move on continuously in search of fresh new grass and water. It is a year in, year out process resulting from the seasonal rainfall patterns during which the animals feel the need to move in search of greener pastures.
The great migration, month by month
Serengeti Migration between January to March
The migration begins with the birth of hundreds of wildebeest calves in the Southern sector of Serengeti National Park. A sight full of life that would smitten nature lovers. Many of the Serengeti predators hang around keeping their eyes on the new born calves waiting to prey on them.
Serengeti Migration in April
As the dry season gets closer, the migrants start shifting gradually to the west of the plains and by April, they start their journey to the North facing their first major obstacle, the crocodile infested Grumeti River in the Western corridor of Serengeti.
The Serengeti Migration between June to July
By now the migrants are closer to Northern Serengeti as they prepare to face their biggest and toughest obstacle during the migration, the Mara River. They brave the strong currents of the Mara River and the Nile crocodiles in the water so that they can cross over to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya to feed on the fresh green grass on that side of the ecosystem. It is a matter of life and death at this stage of the migration.
The Serengeti Migration between October to November
Around this time, the migrants begin their return journey from Maasai Mara in Kenya back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Yet again having to cross the crocodile infested Mara River. A moment filled with panic and confusion among the migrants. There is eagerness from the predators waiting to get a hold of their prey.
During this period, they will cross through the Lobo area and the Northern area. Towards the end of November, the migrants are moving gradually back into the Southern plains and they will soon be settled in, the calving season knocking on the door again, the cycle continues and the Great migration begins again. Such is the cycle of life.
Nature plays its own tunes and moves on its own rhythms. It is purely magical and mind blowing because this is a dangerous journey filled with predators waiting to prey on the migrants both on land and in the water, but yet again, they still journey on, braving all the dangers and obstacles in along the way with one aim of finding the fresh green grazing lands. Again, it is about survival. Only nature knows its secrets.
For a chance to witness this great natural phenomenal, plan a trip to either Serengeti National Park in Tanzania or Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
Visit Serengeti National Park in Tanzania with these recommended Tanzania tour operators or inquire with us below to book your safari directly through this website.
