The Great Wildebeest Migration

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One of the most sought-after experiences  for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the Great Migration is the  ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals across the  Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

 The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest mammal migration in the  world and one of the "Seven Wonders of the Natural World". It’s a true  spectacle of nature, with millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles  thundering across the endless plains of the Serengeti throughout the  year in search of fresh grazing and higher-quality water. For many  travelers, the epic crossing of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers is the  ultimate highlight! 

Therefore,  it comes as no surprise that this unforgettable experience is one of  the primary reasons for tourists to go to Tanzania every year. If the wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park is also on top of your to-see-list, it’s important to know where the herds are.

That’s why we want to tell you

• when and where the Great Wildebeest Migration occurs month-by-month,
• the best time to watch the migration,
• the best place to see the migration and
• tips for the most intense experience.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

• The  Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest animal migration in the  world, with almost two million animals crossing the Tanzanian plains  each year.
• Although named after wildebeests, which make the  majority of animals, the migrating herds also include zebras, topi,  gazelles, and other animals.
• The migration typically begins in December and lasts until November, although its beginning depends on the start of the rainy season in Tanzania.
• The herds cover approximately 1,000 kilometers during the migration cycle.
• Up to 250,000 wildebeests are killed by predators during the migration.
• Migrating wildebeests divide into herds of hundreds of thousands of animals.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION?

Here’s  the trick – the exact timing of the Serengeti wildebeest migration  depends upon the rainfall patterns each year. This makes predicting  where and when the migration begins. It’s something not even wildebeests  know!

Due to climate changes, the rainy seasons haven’t been  occurring regularly, nor are they easily predictable. That’s also why  the migration has been thrown out of synch in recent years.

However,  thanks to our experienced Tanzania Specialist guides, we are able to  make a fairly accurate prediction. 

A MONTH-BY-MONTH BREAKDOWN

December to April

The  migration typically begins in late November or early December, when  migrating herds arrive in the southern parts of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park in the Ndutu area.

When in the Serengeti, the animals are free to move wherever they want. It’s a truly magnificent sight of almost two million wildebeests and zebras dispersed throughout Tanzania’s plains, enjoying fresh and nutritious grasses.

In February, the calving season begins, with half a million calves born on these southern plains. You  can also see a lot of predators at this time, who are all waiting for  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.

May to June

In May and June, the herds of wildebeests and zebras migrate further north to get ready for the dangerous Grumeti River crossing full of giant crocodiles.

It’s  a scary sight as you watch thousands of these magnificent creatures  struggle against the forces of nature and predators. Unfortunately, not  all animals survive the crossing.

The survivors continue their  journey, with some herds heading through the Grumeti Game Reserve and  Ikorongo Game Reserve while others choose the path piercing through the  heart of the Serengeti National Park.

July to September

From July till September, you’ll find the herds around the Mara River, which they need to cross to get to Kenya.  The sights are impressive as well as dramatic around this time. The  fast-flowing water and crocodiles make this crossing extremely dangerous  for the herds.

The Mara River crossing is the  most serious obstacle during the migration, creating a spectacular yet  often hair-raising spectacle of panic and confusion as herds consisting  of hundreds of thousands of animals try to get through the gushing  river.

Interestingly, in the last two years, almost two-thirds of  the migration did not cross the Mara River since there was enough fresh  grass left in the northern Serengeti.

October to December

From October till  November, the wildebeest migration leaves the northern Serengeti and  makes its way back to the southern part/Ndutu via the central Seronera  region. The herds remain there until late November/early December, and  the annual cycle starts all over again.

Kindly Note:

For travelers wanting to see the Great Migration Mara River Crossing plan their safari trip between July and September

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For travelers wanting to see the Great Migration calving season plan their safari trip between January and Mid-March.

Remember, the Calving Season & the Mara River crossing are the  most exciting and spectacular events of the Great Wildebeest Migration.