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Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania
Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is one of the most sought-after experiences for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. It is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The animals, mainly wildebeest, move in columns and are joined by a host of companions. They follow an age-old route in search of grazing and water. The journey starts in the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the animals calve. They then journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya. Finally, they return near the end of the year. The journey is full of high drama, as thousands of animals are taken by predators, and thousands more are born, replenishing the numbers and sustaining the circle of life.
Serengeti Safaris
What is the Great Migration? – Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania
The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is a natural phenomenon that involves the largest movement of animals on the planet. The great columns of wildebeest can be seen from space, with up to 1,000 animals per km². Over 1.2 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebras, as well as topi and other gazelles, move through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of nutritious grass and water. Each wildebeest covers a distance of 800 to 1,000km on its journey along ancient migration routes, guided by survival instinct. However, predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and crocs make sure that only the strongest survive in this natural spectacle, also known as ‘the greatest show on Earth.‘
The route takes the animals from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, situated in the south of the Serengeti in Tanzania, but does not enter the Crater itself. The journey then continues up through the Serengeti, crosses over into the Masai Mara in Kenya, and finally returns to the starting point. However, the journey is fraught with danger: young calves are often snatched by predators, the slow is brought down by a pride of lions, brave beasts break their legs on steep river slopes, crocodiles take their share of the stragglers, and the weak and exhausted drown on their way.
Migration Groups
The migrant grazers in the Serengeti can be divided into three different groups with distinct grass-eating habits. The first group consumes the top of the tallest grass, followed by the second group which eats away some of the medium-height grass, until finally, the third group almost completely consumes the remaining grass. As a result, each group tends to stick to its preferred type of grass, with only a small overlap in their distributions. Additionally, the grasses found in the plains of the Serengeti have the highest protein content and calcium levels among all the other types of grass.
The wildebeest’s migration pattern is still a mystery, but it is widely believed that their journey is primarily influenced by the weather. They tend to follow the rains and the growth of fresh grass. While there is no scientific evidence to support it, some experts suggest that the animals react to distant lightning and thunderstorms. There have been claims that wildebeest can sense rain from more than 50km away during the great migration.
Where to see wildebeest in different months of the year – Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania
Whether the wildebeest are dropping calves or attempting to cross rivers while avoiding predators, the migration is constantly on the move throughout the year. Read on to learn where the Great Migration tends to be during different times of the year or click on a month below to jump that season of the migration:
The Great Migration in January, February and March
In January, the migration completes its southward journey, moving along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This area boasts of rich and nutritious grasslands, providing the herds with ideal conditions to raise their newborn calves.
The wildebeest migration is a never-ending cycle, with birth and death being the only defining points. However, it is generally accepted that the birthing season marks the beginning of the migration. During late January or February, the herds settle in the short-grass plains that stretch across the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and Olduvai Gorge. Within a period of two to three weeks, around 400,000 calves are born, which amounts to almost 8,000 new calves born every day.
The wildebeest migration is a never-ending cycle, with birth and death being the only defining points. However, it is generally accepted that the birthing season marks the beginning of the migration. During late January or February, the herds settle in the short-grass plains that stretch across the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and Olduvai Gorge. Within a period of two to three weeks, around 400,000 calves are born, which amounts to almost 8,000 new calves born every day.
The Great Migration in April and May – Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania
After giving birth to their offspring between February and March, the herds of wildebeest begin to migrate towards the central Serengeti in search of fresh grass. This movement attracts thousands of zebras and smaller groups of antelope. By April, the wildebeest columns can stretch for several kilometers as they gather near the Moru Kopjes, close to Dunia Camp.
As time passed, more and more wildebeest gathered in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti. The herds gather in large numbers along the Grumeti River’s pools and channels, which they must cross to continue on their journey. Although not as breathtaking as the famous Mara crossings, there is still enough wildebeest to provide a feast for the Grumeti crocodiles
The Great Migration in June and July
In June, the dry season begins and wildebeest can be found in high numbers in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. The crossing of the crocodile-infested river presents a significant challenge for each migrating animal and marks the first of many tense and difficult river crossings.
As June turns into July, the countless wildebeest and zebra herds keep migrating northwards along the western edge of the park, heading towards an even more dangerous obstacle – the Mara River, located in the north of the Serengeti. These river crossings are generally considered one of the most thrilling wildlife spectacles on Earth. The timing of these crossings usually coincides with the high season in July, but it all depends on natural factors.
The Great Migration in August, September and October
By August, the herds have to face the challenge of crossing the Mara River in order to spread throughout the Masai Mara’s northern region, with many remaining in the northern Serengeti. During years when the river is in full flow, there can be panic and confusion at the crossings, which combined with waiting predators and surging currents can cause massive loss of life. However, even during years of relatively gently flowing water, the crocodiles take their toll, not to mention the lions and other large predators that patrol the banks, ready to ambush any wildebeest that make it to the other side. There is no single crossing point, with some spots seeing just a few individuals while others witness a mass of animals moving without break for hours.
The primary chaos of the Great Migration usually ends by September to October, and the migrating herds gradually move eastward. However, the wildebeest must cross the Mara River again to begin their return journey southward, facing the challenge of heavy waters once more.
The Great Migration in November and December
Following the short rains in East Africa towards the end of October and the beginning of November, the wildebeest migrate from Kenya towards the eastern side of the Serengeti, specifically, the Namiri Plains, which is renowned for exceptional cheetah sightings. By December, the wildebeest had dispersed throughout the southern and eastern areas of the Serengeti.
Plan your Tanzania Safari with Acacia Safaris Limited and grab a chance to experience one of the most dramatic events in the world.
