Complete Guide to Africa Wildebeest Migration
One of the last large-scale terrestrial wildlife migrations on Earth is the Great Wildebeest Migration in Africa, also referred to as the Gnu Migration, Serengeti Migration, and Masai Mara Migration. It is the main cause of the large number of tourists that visit Kenya and Tanzania for a migration safari, particularly in the middle of the year.
One of the biggest mysteries of nature is the Migration: although timing is crucial, it is impossible to forecast when the animals will move. Nobody is certain of the exact time that the wildebeest (along with a few zebras and antelope) will cross the Mara River, but we do know that they will. We also know that the wildebeest will relocate to other grazing areas when it rains, but no one can predict when it will rain.
Thankfully, since 1998, we have been organizing safaris to witness the Wildebeest Migration in Africa. Thousands of travelers have benefited from our assistance in finding the best location, best timing, and best value. You don’t need to search much farther if you need professional planning help. This helpful beginner’s guide to a Wildebeest Migration safari includes all of our expert advice.
The Great Migration: How Does It Operate?
Is it Possible to Forecast the Migration River Crossings?
No, not even the wildebeest are able to predict when they will cross! Some reach the water and swim over right away, while others stay for days grazing; yet others reach the sea and swim away. Although it would be nice, nobody is able to forecast the crossings. For this reason, if you want to witness a river crossing, it is advisable to spend as much time as possible on safari.
When Do the Wildebeests Travel Each Year?
Most people mistakenly believe that the wildebeest migration only happens from July to October, but in reality, it is a year-round, cyclical migration that features a variety of equally spectacular activities. The major river crossings typically take place between June and October, which is when safari is at its busiest, leading to the misconception that this is the only time of year to view or move wildebeest.
The Great Migration: Where Does It Begin?
There are no set beginning or ending places to the Great Migration because it is a dynamic, year-round movement of around two million animals throughout the Serengeti-Mara habitat. The rainy season in East Africa sets off the Gnu Migration, during which the animals travel a well-traveled path in quest of water and new pasture. The wildebeest travel on an incredible journey that begins in Kenya’s Masai Mara plains and ends in Tanzania’s Serengeti and the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. The trek then loops back around in a clockwise manner.
Why Do African Wildebeests Move?
Most people agree that the wildebeest’s reaction to the weather has a major role in determining the course of Africa’s Great Migration. They travel in response to precipitation and the emergence of fresh grass, essentially acting on an innate need to locate food in order to survive. There is no scientific evidence to support the theory held by some experts that distant lightning and thunderstorms are what cause the wildebeest to move.
When Does What Happen?
An Analytical Look at the Great Migration Month by Month
The lengthy and erratic rainy seasons that formerly prevailed in Tanzania and Kenya have become less regular and predictable due to climate change. The entire wildebeest calendar will be out of sync if the rains arrive early or late. This is just another reason it’s critical to budget as much time as possible for your safari. Nature just doesn’t operate that way; you can’t fly in for two nights, observe a river crossing, and then fly out again.
This is a very broad guideline for the herds’ locations throughout the year, keeping in mind that rain—which might fall early, late, or on schedule—is the primary cause of the entire Gnu Migration:
January
The herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park in January, and they are migrating from the northeast into the region around Lake Ndutu. The herds are allowed to roam wherever they find grass because the Serengeti is unfenced. Recall that while the Serengeti Migration comprises up to two million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope, they are not all part of one herd. The animals occasionally split out into mega-herds consisting of hundreds or thousands of individuals.
from February until March
It’s calving season from February to March (more than 8,000 newborns are born every day!) Thus, get ready for a lot of shaky calves. and a great deal of heartache as ferocious predators dive in. Big cats rule the Serengeti, but hyena clans, packs of wild dogs, and hit-and-run jackals also contribute to the spectacle. It’s a melancholic ballad that depicts life’s circle as a live-action drama.
The herds stay in the southern plains of the Serengeti until March, when they begin a sluggish westward migration, if the brief wet season (November to December) provides suitable feeding.
April
The herds often travel northwest toward the Moru and Simba Kopjes in April, when the long rainy season (April through May) begins. The testosterone-fueled battles between males vying for the privilege to mate with receptive females are the highlight of the exciting rutting (breeding) season, which is currently underway.
May
The wagons roll in May! The massed herds are moving quickly; occasionally, as the wildebeest funnel up into the center Serengeti, enormous columns as long as 40 kilometers (25 miles) can be observed. Now that the calves are stronger, everyone is moving a little faster.
June
The wildebeest typically arrive in the center Serengeti around June, when they prepare for the most difficult portion of their journey. It’s possible that some of the herds have already crossed the Grumeti River.
July
The Great Migration arrived in the Grumeti region and the northern Serengeti in July, and they are glancing intently at the dangerous Mara River that they must cross to enter Kenya. Why? The reason is enormous Nile crocodiles!
As previously stated, river crossings are completely dependent on the rainy season and the frequently erratic behavior of the wildebeest, making accurate forecasting impossible. To secure a resort on or near the river, it is essential to plan your Wildebeest Migration safari in Africa up to a year in advance. This will reduce the amount of time you must travel to viewing locations. There are known crossing spots for wildebeest, and you can stake out an area for days in the hopes of observing the activity. To make sure you’re in the right spot at the right time, we advise selecting a mobile safari camp that moves with the Migration.
August
The magnificent river crossings from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara are often best seen in August. The wildebeest are exempt from the requirement for a passport in order to enter Kenya. For a more exclusive safari experience, visit the private conservancies that border the Masai Mara National Reserve, which is accessible to the general public.
September
The herds split off into smaller groups in September because not all of the wildebeest travel to Kenya. In the Masai Mara, animals trade war stories with each other; less than half of the animals in the northern Serengeti are left. As a result, while it’s still possible to observe wildebeest in the Serengeti—just not in the mega-herds—the Masai Mara is, generally speaking, the greatest location to see the Migration in September.
October
Your greatest chance is still the Masai Mara starting in October, but keep in mind that it’s a much smaller reserve than the Serengeti, and there might be a lot of other tourists there. Not only can you still see the Migration at the nearby private conservancies, but you will also be helping the Maasai communities who have been living there for thousands of years. These conservancies are far less crowded. Additionally, you can partake in activities that are prohibited in the national reserve, including as walking safaris, night drives, and off-road wildlife viewing.
November
In a “normal year,” the November brief rains kick in, forcing the wildebeest to retreat back into the revitalized Serengeti and out of the now-depleted Masai Mara plains. Remember that rain can arrive late or early, depending on the situation.
Although the herds are always in motion, they can occasionally be observed in the northeastern Serengeti, where they may divide into smaller groups in preparation for their southward migration.
Advice: Although rain can significantly reduce temperatures, many people mistakenly believe that Africa is a hot continent. You will go on game drives in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is at its smallest. Bring a fleece or waterproof jacket, closed shoes that can handle mud, and at least one pair of pants.
December
The wildebeest migrate south in December in search of fresh grazing, traversing the northern and eastern Serengeti to eat and get ready for another life-threatening, 3,000-kilometer (1,900-mile) journey.