In which months can the Great Migration be seen?

In which months can the Great Migration be seen? – The Great Migration, a remarkable movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, takes place primarily between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. While the migration is a year-round event, the timing of specific stages varies depending on the location and the animals’ movements. Here’s a general breakdown of the migration’s pattern by month:

1. January to March:

• Location: Southern Serengeti, Tanzania.
• Key Events: During these months, the wildebeest calving season takes place. The southern Serengeti plains become crowded with pregnant females giving birth. This is also the time when predators (like lions and cheetahs) are most active because of the abundance of young calves.

2. April to May:

• Location: Central Serengeti and Western Serengeti.
• Key Events: After calving, the herds start to move toward the Serengeti’s western corridor under the influence of seasonal rains. The wildebeest begin to travel toward the western and northern Serengeti, where they start crossing the Grumeti River, facing challenges with crocodiles in the water.

3. June to July:

• Location: Northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara.
• Key Events: By mid-June, the migration moves toward the northern Serengeti and begins to cross the Mara River into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This is one of the most dramatic stages of the migration, as the herds face the perilous Mara River crossing, known for its crocodile-infested waters.

4. August to October:

• Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya.
• Key Events: The wildebeest and other animals remain in the Maasai Mara, often in large numbers. The herds stay here until the grass starts to diminish in the Mara’s plains and the weather begins to change, prompting the animals to move back south toward the Serengeti.

5. November to December:

• Location: Maasai Mara and southern Serengeti.
• Key Events: The herds begin to move back south, crossing the Mara River again. By December, they start arriving back in the southern Serengeti, where the cycle will begin again with calving.

Best Time for Viewing:

• July to October is often considered the best time to witness the Great Migration, particularly for the dramatic river crossings in the Maasai Mara (Kenya). However, if you’re interested in calving and predator activity, January to March in the southern Serengeti is ideal.

In summary, the Great Migration can be seen year-round, but the most intense and dramatic parts of the migration typically occur from June to October in the northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara.