The Wildebeest Migration: Ultimate Viewing Guide

The Great Migration is the annual movement of over 2 million wildebeests accompanied by thousands of zebras and gazelles. Often called the wildebeest migration, this migration is the largest migration of terrestrial mammals on the planet.

The drama of this unrivalled wildlife spectacle is heightened by the attendant opportunistic predators including large prides of lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. It is little wonder that this approximately 1,000 km has been the feature of so many wildlife documentaries and is one of Africa’s biggest draws for safari enthusiasts and must to do safari activity in Tanzania.

The answer to this complex question is not a simple answer.

In other parts of Africa, wildebeests are commonly non-migratory, so why do they risk the many perils of trekking such vast distances? About 250,000 animals will not complete the journey, crossing crocodile – infested rivers, picked off by predators and dying from starvation, thirst or pure exhaustion.

The herds have evolved to move instinctively, driven by a variety of related factors, being drawn by the accumulation of distant storm clouds or the rumbling of thunder, localized weather patterns play an important part in their movement. The rains trigger fresh grasses to sprout and with it, the promise of better grazing.

The famous river crossings between Kenya and Tanzania are often a draw of spectators and it seems that for the wildebeests the greener pastures plays a key role in their motivation to move. It is thought that the distant rainfall and growth of new grass may produce chemical signals beyond our own sensory perception but that the wildebeest can follow.

It is thought that the distant rainfall and growth of new grass may produce chemical signals beyond our own sensory perception but that the wildebeest can follow. Although the exact science is still being debated, one thing for sure, without fail the wildebeest up and go.

The movement of the herds of wildebeest doesn’t follow a set schedule and route. Therefore, there are not guarantees where they will be on a specific date, this is particularly true of the main mega herds or river crossings.

However, with good planning and advice, you have a much better chance of being in the right place at the right time so you can be even more confident that a safari to the rich grasslands of Serengeti, home to one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, will be exceptional.

While you cannot be certain to find the huge migratory herds in a specific place at any given time, this annual trek does follow a typical pattern each year. With this in mind, it is important to consider it when planning your migration safari, when to travel or where to stay if your travel dates are not flexible. This is most easily presented based on the changing months, seasons and weather patterns.

Where you will stay on wildebeest migration safari will depend on the time of year you are visiting and your budget, there are several styles of accommodation to choose from in Serengeti and Masai Mara catering for a range of budgets. These include permanent lodges and tented camps, mobile camps that move to be close to the migration at different times of the year, and remote walking camps. Staying in a mobile tented camps doesn’t mean you will be roughing it, and depending on the price point you can expect a four poster bed in a tent decorated with rugs among other amenities for a very confortable experience.

Personally, I highly recommend including a walking camp in your wildebeest migration safari as it offers a truly unique experience.

Although the wildebeest migration is a roundtrip, without a set start and endpoint, it makes sense to commence with the beginning of the calendar year, which also bring with it new life and is often referred to as the calving season.

During three first months of the year, the migratory herds are more dispersed across the southern Serengeti and adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The herds do not rack up any huge mileage during this period and you won’t see the same concentrations as other months of the year. However, the large number of plain game grazing, the characteristic short grasslands stretching to the horizon is impressive.

January often brings the start of calving season, with February being a peak month of births. Over half a million wildebeest calves arrive, with most being born over a period of just two to three weeks. This spectacle makes it an incredible time to visit.

Calving season is also a time of plenty of the high density of predators that are lurking around the herds and area year-round. These predators make the most of having easy prey with the young calves whilst the mothers are distracted feeding. The Ndutu Sector is renowned for Predator – Action Sightings throughout most of the year, but now is its most popular season with the big cats (lions, leopards and cheetahs) and hyenas highly active and a great chance of catching a cheetah hunt. The short grasses of this season make it easier to spot this activity too

For some reason, wildebeest calves are amongst the most precious animals with ability to get on their feet and walking within a matter of a few minutes. Whilst the majority of births are usually over by March, the herds remain feeding on the nutrient rich grasses to build their strength for the arduous journey ahead. Tanzania’s heaviest rains tend to start during this months and the herds slowly creep up towards the Moru Kopjes, south of the park centre.

April and May bring in the heaviest rains in Tanzania making it one of the least popular times to visit Serengeti, the main herds generally remain in the southern Serengeti throughout April. It is not certain exactly when the first wildebeest will raise their heads and decide its time to move again.

By this time the young have had almost as little time to build their strength for their first migration as they had to be on their feet. Nonetheless, it is often at some point in April that the leaders start the march northwards. Slowly, but surely the others begin to follow on, so that by May most are on the go. Some head directly north towards the central Serengeti and Seronera Area, whilst the majority move more to the west, in the direction of the western corridor and Grumeti.

The peak rains require anyone visiting over this period to have a strong sense of adventure some resilience. However, with the herds split into smaller groups, there is a constant flow of activity. May in particular can be rewarding due to the high predator numbers in the central and western sectors, you will experience your wildebeest migration safari with few other visitors around and if you are a bargain hunter you will find some great offers.

By June, most of the largest herds have reached the western corridor and the Grumeti River, the crossing of the Grumeti may not be as dramatic as those of the Mara River further north, but the steep river banks, flowing water and huge crocodiles that lie in wait are enough to make the wildebeest pause for thought. This results in an impressive concentration of animals until a seemingly critical mass is reached to make the crossing.

Also, the males contend for dominance and the right to mate with the females. The testosterone-induced noise and activity adds intensity to the atmosphere.

Through July the significant push north towards the winter grasses of the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara continues, the second half of the month is generally when the main herds reach these plains and the incredible spectacle of the mass crossings of the Mara River begin.

This is a popular and rewarding time to visit, the best option is visiting the western corridor or more centrally towards Lobo. You can split your safari time between the two to optimize your game viewing chances, later in July the northern Serengeti around Kogatende and Lamai start to come into its own.

The herds that have survived the perilous Grumeti River continue northwards. As the dry season continues, the vegetation cover of Serengeti begin to turn yellow and the herds begin to head further north towards the Masai Mara in search of wetter and greener pastures.

But before they can reach the plains of the Northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya, where they usually remain throughout most of August to October, they must cross the Mara River first.

This is the prime time for river crossings, as the mega herds congregate and run the gauntlet of the Mara River, risking drowning and being snatched away by the jaws of waiting crocodiles and predators looking to take advantage of their exhausted state the other side.

As mentioned earlier, there is not only one crossing north and then a return south. There are various crossing points along the river and the wildebeests will traverse back and forth over this period, with large herds crossing at different times. As Masai Mara gets hotter and drier towards October, Serengeti rain begins, the herds begin to make their way back south , once again braving the treacherous river crossings in search of greener pastures.

In the Norther Serengeti, the herds are more concentrated around Kogatende and the Lamai Wedge. The Kogatende area is the area closest to the main crossing points over the Mara River to Kenya and the Masai Mara on the other side. This is the ideal location to be at the centre of most of the action.

The Lamai edge is a triangular area across the Mara River in the north-west of the Serengeti, it is more remote location, on the other side of the river, this means there are fewer human visitors, but you are still in the thick of things in terms of the wildlife.

August to October are also extremely popular months to visit in Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the mega herds spend much more of their time there, grazing the richer grasses due to the localized rains that fall in this region

• It is worth noting that river crossings are incredibly unpredictable and that travelling in the right season and to the right place does not guarantee these. Even doing this, you are only 20-30% likely to see a river crossing so it is worth setting your expectations accordingly.
• Although it is called the Mara River – a large portion of the rivers sits in Tanzania, not in the Masai Mara in Kenya. Depending on where the wildebeests cross the river, you can witness a river crossing in Kenya or Tanzania.
• As these are extremely popular events and are on many safari goers bucket list, you are likely to have to share the experience with several other vehicles.
• River crossings are a game of patience and not one that is always rewarded. A group of wildebeests may gather at the water’s edge looking as if they are going to cross only to get spooked by something on the other side or in the water and to change their mind and turn back.
• If you are intent on seeing a river crossing, it is worth having your own private vehicle so that you and your guide can focus purely on the rather than accommodating other guests needs too.

If you are lucky enough to see a river crossing, it is a heart – pounding, emotional experience and one which you stay in your head forever

October is a very dry and can be quite a harsh month for the animals, whilst the herds may have already started to trickle south again, the mass movement, back to the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, usually takes places in November which is also when the rains start for the short rainy reason.

Drawn by the little rains that stimulate the sprouting of fresh shoots on the short grass plains of the Southern Serengeti, there is a lot of movement over this period with herds becoming quite dispersed over a large area.

By mid to late December most wildebeest have reached the Southern Serengeti and Northern Ngorongoro Conservation area known as Ndutu Plains. Heavily pregnant, females graze the rich grasses in preparation for a new year, new birth and the cycle of the Great Migration to start again.

Where to see the Great Migration depends on the time of the year, the Great Migration spends most of its time in Tanzania and is there for a round 9 months of the year from November to August (although the exact dates vary each year).

While the migration is in Kenya for a shorter period of time, Masai Mara is a smaller, more concentrated area and it can be easier to see the migration. It is also a great period to watch the river crossings and so remains hugely popular from August to October.

With all the information above, you are now in position to start planning your Wildebeest Migration Safari in Kenya as well as Tanzania.