All about wildebeest migration : You’ve probably heard about the wildebeest migration from watching Lion King films or wildlife documentaries. But few people are aware of this amazing natural event, including its location and the activities that go along with it. There is much more to this magnificent display of migration than the spectacular river crossings that many people believe it to be. Let’s begin with a simple explanation of the world’s most amazing entertainment on African safari.
What is the wildebeest migration?
Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travel across East Africa’s plains every year in search of fresh water and pasture. This phenomena is known as the wildebeest migration. The herds migrate through Kenya in July and August, where they spend the remainder of the year, after starting in Tanzania in December. Restocking the grasslands and maintaining predator numbers are two other crucial ecological roles that the migration plays in the Serengeti ecosystem.
Where does the migration take place?
The wildebeest migration safari occurs over an extensive region across Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. These parks are separated by an imperceptible artificial boundary, which keeps the environment intact.
Is it only wildebeest which migrate?
It’s a collectively with the approximately 2 million wildebeest are thousands of zebras and gazelles forming one super herd. Because of their symbiotic relationship, zebras and wildebeest can frequently be found together. Zebras help prepare the grass for the wildebeest by eating its tougher, longer stems. Because of their wider muzzles, wildebeests are more adapted to feeding on shorter grass.
Lions and other carnivores do not move with the grazing animals, despite what the general public believes. Instead, when their paths intersect, they hunt and feast on the grazing animals.
Why do the wildebeest migrate?
Basically, the animals adhere to the rains to find fresh, lush grass. They spend the wet season on the plains in the southeast and the dry season in the northwest forests, taking advantage of East Africa’s highly seasonal climate. Because of their overwhelming numbers, the animals themselves influence their surroundings to suit their needs.
The 800-kilometer trek is a continuous cycle of dispersal and movement. The migration is not moving forward all the time. Every day, the wildebeest must drink, and the availability of water determines where they travel. It’s interesting to note that the animals appear to be able to sense storms with a sixth sense.
There is no true beginning or end to this amazing adventure. A wildebeest’s life is an unending journey as they look for food and water all the time. But there are risks associated with this quest. Over 250,000 wildebeest perish annually from wounds, fatigue, or predator attacks.
The river crossings.
Filmmakers and photographers have captured the iconic scene of the crossing of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers in excellent detail. The wildebeest are forced by the strength of the herd to rush suicidally into the crocodile-infested waters, where they frequently drown in their thousands.
How can I witness the migration?
Since every season has its own highlights, there isn’t really a right or incorrect time to visit East Africa to witness the migration. However, being in the correct place at the right time of year is crucial. Click here for a detailed breakdown of the best times to see the migration.
January – Early March (Serengeti).
Seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park is a thrilling experience from January until the beginning of March. One of the busiest periods to travel to the Serengeti is during this season, which coincides with the birth of the wildebeest calves over a period of three to five weeks. The quantity of food, which consists of young, weak wildebeest, makes this an excellent time to see lions, hyenas, and other predators.
Thankfully, the number of calves born in a brief period of time prevents the predators from having enough time to consume them all. During these months it is most effective to choose a camp or lodge in the southern plains of the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Conversation Area.
April / May (Serengeti).
You can track the herds as they migrate from the impoverished southern plains to the vast grass plains and woodlands of the Serengeti’s western corridor, almost to Lake Victoria, in April or May to watch the wildebeest migration. The rainy season is at its height right now. Although it might not be the most comfortable time to go, the off-season deals might be extremely alluring. The breathtaking vistas and verdant surroundings are breathtaking.
July / October (Serengeti / Maasai Mara).
The richest pastures in the western corridor are frequently reached by June, at which point the herds start to migrate farther north. At this point, the migration frequently separates, with one column moving west to Lake Victoria and another north across the Serengeti’s northern Lobo region. As July approaches, the herds congregate by the Mara River, the final impediment before the short, fragrant grasses of the Maasai Mara.
If you want to maximize your chances of seeing a river crossing, you should be in the northern or western Serengeti corridor. On the other hand, the Kenyan side might have better views in some years. Remember that the duration and timing of the river crossing are uncertain, and in years with low rainfall, few wildebeest may actually cross the Mara River into Kenya.
AUGUST – OCTOBER (MAASAI MARA)
The migration is typically dispersed over Kenya’s Maasai Mara grasslands around this time. Still, a sizable fraction of the herds stay in the Serengeti in certain years. In these circumstances, it is advised that you base yourself in the Lobo area, located in the park’s northernmost regions, in order to increase your chances of witnessing the migration during these months.
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER (SERENGETI)
The November brief rains call the herds south across the Tanzanian border. Usually, by December, the wildebeest have once again dispersed throughout the Serengeti’s southern grasslands.
