Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania (The Greatest Show on Earth)
The annual Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is the most spectacular wildlife phenomenon on earth, where millions of wildebeest accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles migrate across the Serengeti – Mara Ecosystem in search of fresh grazing lands and water. Over two million wildebeests and their entourage move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara Ecosystem in a regular pattern that is fairly predictable. The Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania represents a circle of life that can not be seen anywhere else in the world – making it one of the most sought-after safari natural wonders of the World.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is an ever-moving circular movement of mammal grazers following an age-old route. It can be witnessed all year round in northern Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and southern Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. This spectacular natural wonder is a race of life that sees thousands of mammal grazers lose their life on the way and thousands more born to replenish the numbers – sustaining the circle of life in this astonishing ecosystem.
In this article, we take you through an in-depth exploration of this natural captivating spectacle ‘‘Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania.’’ From the awe-inspiring start teeming with new life in the southern Serengeti to its dramatic conclusion, we will guide you through every facet of this remarkable phenomenon. Discover from the intricate patterns of the Great Wildebeest Migration to its diverse wildlife and natural thrills.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just a curious first timer, this complete guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to plan a memorable great migration Safari holiday to Africa.
What is the Great Wildebeest Migration? – Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest terrestrial mammal migration on earth – a world natural wonder. Over two million wildebeest and their entourage (Zebras and Gazelles) move across the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems. This natural phenomenon follows a circular age-old route and typically starts in the southern parts of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The migrating mammal grazers are guided by survival instincts and cover about 800 to 1,000 km on individual journeys through the vast ecosystems in Tanzania and Kenya.
The Journey of the Wildebeest (trekking 800 – 1000 km): When do the Wildebeest Start to Migrate? – where does the great migration start from?
The Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania starts in the southern parts of Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with the birth of over half a million calves between January and March. These months of the year are associated with short rains in the southern Serengeti making the grassy plains of the southern Serengeti lush green. The lush greenery that comes with this season is associated with the different nutritious grass that provides essential nourishment for the herds during the calving season. After the dramatic spectacle of new life with thousands of calves being born, adding to the excitement, the large mammal grazers then move northwards through the Serengeti National Park and across to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya in a clockwise direction before returning once again to Serengeti near the end of the year.
Central Serengeti – The Wildebeest Journey through the Central Serengeti
As the grasses in the southern Serengeti start to dwindle, the herds move northwards through the central Serengeti where they encounter a more varied terrain with woodlands and riverine forests – adding to the diversity of this journey. As they wildebeest and their entourage move, they attract hungry predators that roam the vast plains of Serengeti and Masai Mara Ecosystem including lions; leopards, hyenas, African Wild Dogs, cheetahs and crocodiles that make sure only the strongest survive on this journey.
The herds spend several months in the central Serengeti grazing on the lush vegetation and drinking from the abundant water sources from the seasonal rains. This region is associated with a large number of predators that come to prey on the valuable young calves. Wildebeest herds also engage in mating activities while in the central Serengeti in preparation for the next circle of life when they eventually return to the south.
As the grassy plains in the central Serengeti start to dwindle, the herds move northwards towards the Mara River. The herds start moving towards the northern Serengeti National Park where they finally encounter the life-threatening Mara River.
The Mara River Crossing
After gathering near the River banks for a few weeks, it is time for the wildebeest to take on this life-challenging journey of crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River. About 3,000 crocodiles lie patiently waiting for a kill in the Mara River, making sure only the strongest survive. The Mara River crossing is the most spectacular during this Wildebeest Migration journey and is a major highlight of a wildebeest migration safari both in Tanzania and Kenya. Not forgetting the other predators especially lions that follow the migrating mammals leaving them with no choice but to cross the crocodile-infested River. Witnessing a kill during the crossing is a common seen!
Masai Mara National Reserve – Wildebeest migration after arriving in Masai Mara
The strongest that make it past the crocodile infested Mara River get the benefit of grazing on the rich nutrient-dense grasses, replenishing the energy used by the wildebeest during the arduous River crossing. The lush nutrient rich pastures and abundant water sources in the Masai Mara National Reserve will surely give the exhausted wildebeest a temporary respite from the harsher conditions experienced during their journey all along from the southern Serengeti plains.
Although the wildebeest might have made it alive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, they remain vigilant as Masai Mara National Reserve also hosts large numbers of predators including lions cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas that are likely to be in wait to prey on them. The herds will stay in Masai Mara National Reserve for several months before they start their journey back to Serengeti National Park.
Journey back to Serengeti – The wildebeest journey back to Serengeti National Park
As the dry season kicks in at Masai Mara National Reserve, the lush green turns into dry lands and the seasonal water sources dry up. This seasonal change prompts the wildebeest to start their journey back southwards to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Guided by survival instincts the wildebeest start retracing their path back through the Masai Mara Reserve, once more crossing the deadly Mara River.
The River crossing back to Serengeti National Park is equally challenging as the wildebeest encounters large numbers of obstacles including the large numbers of crocodiles that lie patiently in wait to make a kill. After the wildebeest cross over to Serengeti National Park, they follow the bearing to Lobo and Loliondo in the eastern Serengeti. They then continue with their journey to the southern Ndutu calving grounds, arriving in late December. They then repeat their cyclic journey after a temporary stay in the southern Serengeti up to the month of March.
Month by month Great Wildebeest Migration guide: Where to see wildebeest each month of the year
When planning wildebeest migration Safari holidays to Kenya and Tanzania, some of the most frequently asked questions by most of our clients include; When is the great migration in Tanzania? What month is the Great Migration in Tanzania? When can you see wildebeest migration in Tanzania? among other. To answer these questions, here is a complete guide to where to see wildebeest each month of the year;
December to March (Wildebeest Calving Season)
The wildebeests start arriving in the southern Serengeti plains in December, in areas that extend to the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As they arrive in the areas around Lake Ndutu in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, they spread across the vast savannas. All through December, January, February, and March, large herds of wildebeest graze in the southern plains of Serengeti National Park. During this time of the year, the southern part of Serengeti is associated with lush grassy plains that are nutrient rich and crucial for the nourishment of the calving wildebeests.
This season is also the wildebeest calving season where over half a million wildebeest are born, replenishing life lost during the long round trek. The air in the southern plains is filled with new life as the young born calves ad to the excitement of this natural phenomenon here. For those planning to visit or a wildebeest safaris between these month of the year, the best place to see the wildebeest is the Southern Serengeti plains. Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania during this months of the year is popular on those interested in witnessing the spectacular calving of the wildebeest in Tanzania.
There are various accommodation facilities within the southern Serengeti plains where you can stay during Safaris. Among the permanent accommodations during the wildebeest calving season are Ndutu Lodge and Kusini, located just conveniently to where you will be exploring during your Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania Safari Holiday. Read more about the wildebeest migration in December, January, February, and March here…
April to May
This period of the year is associated with rain in Tanzania. During these months, the herds of grazer mammals are still within the Southern plains of Serengeti. These months of the year is associated with heavy rains in this region of the park however a few accommodation facilities remain open, offering accommodation to visitors willing to venture into the Serengeti during this period of the month. Among the places where you can stay during these months are Serena or Sopa lodge. The early heard will have moved to the areas near the Grumeti River where they gather for a few weeks before they proceed with their northward movement into the central Serengeti National Park.
June to July
This is also the best time to go on a wildebeest migration Safari as the short rains in April and May stop and the herds generally are mostly found in the central Serengeti area. This season is popular and noisy since it is also the high season for safari in Serengeti National Park and Tanzania in general. The herds usually split while here, one group follows the western corridor from where they cross over to the Singita Grumeti Reserve.
The splinter herds then move through the Ikorongo game reserve on the Serengeti’s Western corridor, arriving in the Kogatende area in July.
The other group of herds moves directly to the north of the Serengeti, Seronera, and Lobo, and up to the Bolognja River area near the Eastern border with the Loliondo Reserve. Wildebeest herds at this time can be seen anywhere from the western corridor through the Eastern side of Serengeti National Park.
The best place to witness these mega herds during these months include; Grumeti River Camp, Faru Faru, Sasakwwa, and Singita Explore among others.
August to October
In most cases, the wildebeest are still within the northern Serengeti National Park. Most travelers however assume that by this time, the wildebeest are now in Kenya which can logically sound well but the reality is different. From July to October, there are more wildebeest herds within the northern Serengeti, and only a few herds have yet crossed to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
These months are also associated with the spectacle Mara River crossing that sees wildebeest battle crossing the crocodile Mara River. The river crossing in Tanzania is magnificent with several crossing points allowing for multiple river crossing sightseeing opportunities. It all starts with one wildebeest taking a leap of faith, followed by the remaining wildebeest. By the end of October, most herds will have crossed to the neighboring Masai Mara National Reserve.
November
In late November, the wildebeest herds start their second migration southwards to the Serengeti National Park. They retrace their way back to Masai Mara National Park, and once more crossing the crocodile infested Mara River, an equally exciting spectacle to watch. They will crossover and proceed with their migration to the southern part of Serengeti National Park in the areas near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.