Our Guide to The Great Wildebeest Migration

JOIN US ON A TREK AND THEN WITNESS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST AMAZING SPECTACLES

THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

One of the most sought-after experiences for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the Great Migration is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

The constant movement of columns of wildebeest, joined by a host of companions, follow an age-old route in search of grazing and water. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania's Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animal’s journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year. Along the way, high drama is always present, as thousands of animals are taken by predators and thousands more are born, replenishing the numbers and sustaining the circle of life.

FOLLOW THE MIGRATION MONTH BY MONTH

Many people think the Great Migration happens only once a year, however it happens all year, with each season offering a unique wildlife experience.

Select a month below to find out what each month offers in terms of weather, wildlife, migratory movements, predator interactions, river crossings to get the most out of your trip to see the great wildebeest migration.

The Migration Month by Month

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START OF MIGRATION CYCLE

JANUARY

The start of the new year sees the majority of herds congregating in the rich, fertile Ndutu plains for the calving season. By the middle of January, almost 8,000 calves are being born each day. this is the prime time to see wildebeest and big cats.

 

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FEBRUARY

In February the best migration action takes place in Ndutu in the heart of the Serengeti plains. Behold the classic image of endless plains, blanketed and dotted as far as the eye can see with grazing wildebeest and their newborn calves.

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MARCH

After the long period of grazing in the Ndutu region, the green grass is now so chewed up that there isn’t much left to eat for the wildebeest. The time to move on has come. The long rains are starting to build up now, so expect some afternoon showers. You will rumblings of thunderstorms to the north and west, and soon the herds will be following their noses in search of rains and fresh grass.

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APRIL

This is the period of “mvua za masika”, swahili for “big rains”. The vegetation becomes very thick and lush, making wildlife spotting somewhat difficult. The trade-off is stunning and scenery on the empty plains, with unusual shots of thunder- strewn vistas. This is a challenging time to choose a great migration safari, but wildlife watching opportunities still exist.

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MAY

And were off again!! The massed herds are on the go, huge columns of up to 40 kilometres / 25 miles in length can be sometimes seen as the wildebeest funnel up into the central and western Serengeti. Water sources are starting to dry out as the dry season begins to bite, hence the march towards the Mara River.

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JUNE

The skies are clear, the land dries out, and the herds gain strength and power as the calves mature. But June is no walk in the park. The wildebeest must overcome the obstacle of the crocodile-infested Grumeti rivers en route to Kenya’s Masai Mara.

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JULY

Book early – it is the Big Event: the start of the major river crossings.

July and August sees the start of the wildebeest migration’s big event, with the major river crossings taking place as the herds congregate at the Mara River. Thousands of wildebeest will fling themselves into the unforgiving waters, where crocodiles lie in wait.

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AUGUST

The wildebeest herds’ days are action-packed, as this is te peak time for those spectacular river crossings with the crocodiles lying in wait for wildebeest to stumble into their ferocious jaws. The survivors celebrate by feasting in the northern Serengeti and begin crossing into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.

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SEPTEMBER

September and October are a time of plenty for the wildebeest. The survivors of the migration north break up into smaller groups, with some staying in the Masai Mara and others remaining in the north of the Serengeti. All are looking for fresh grass, but predators abound.

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OCTOBER

At this point, the migration is quite scattered. Some wildebeest begin the long trek to the south back to the Serengeti, but some remain in the Masai Mara for the whole month. As the rains begin, the animals will move slowly in their search for water and green grass towards the northeast Serengeti and Lilondo Game Reserve.

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NOVEMBER

November is the month of “short rains” and with it brings the cooler weather but it’s still a good time to see the wildebeest in the Serengeti. The wildebeest herds are now in the Serengeti, stationed in Lobo, Mbuze Mawe and Seronera Valley areas where water is abundant. Bear in mind that the rain can be “late” or “early” which is also unpredictable.

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DECEMBER

Fresh grazing sees the wildebeest clustered in the north-eastern Serengeti (around Lobo in particular) as well as the southern Serengeti. Calving begins again, the predators move in again, and the cycle of life begins all over again.

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END OF MIGRATION CYCLE

When is the Best Time to Go on a Wildebeest Migration Safari?

As you can see from our month by month summary, the Migration is a year long fluid cycle which offers an abundance of wildlife action throughout. So, the best time to go on a Wildebeest Migration safari really depends on which events you are personally interested in seeing.

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Note: the above are approximate dates only. The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the river crossings cannot be predicted. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day!
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