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How Does The Great Wildebeest Migration Move Around Serengeti?

The Great Wildebeest Migration Begins

The great wildebeest migration of Serengeti – Maasai Mara is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world and that’s for a good reason. For nature enthusiasts, it is a sight you cannot afford to miss as you fly over 1.5 million Wildebeest along with Zebras and Gazelles trekking over 600 km across the Serengeti and part of Mara.

It is the largest mammalian movement in the world as the animals migrate in search of greener pastures and water. It is purely on instinct that these animals know which path to take to reach their destination with speculation being that they follow the growth of new grass and the rains. The migration can be said to be in response to the weather patterns.

Great Wildebeest Migration Map by Miracle Experience

The Ngorongoro | Southern Serengeti | NDUTU

December – March

We have to point out that there is no start time or end time for the wildebeest migration as it’s an all-year-round event. With that said, the calving season is generally considered to be the beginning of mass migration. This period lasts from December to March. It’s around February that the Wildebeest move into the Ngorongoro Conservation area where up to 400,000 calves will be born in the space of 2 to 3 weeks. 

North – Western Serengeti | SERONERA

April – June

In April – June, the migration moves from Ndutu (South) towards the northwestern area as they seek fresh pastures and water. At this time, moving columns of Wildebeests, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, can be seen forming around the north-western Corridor of the Serengeti and around the Moru Kopjes area. It is at this time that the Gazelles and Zebras also join in with the herd moving north. Let’s quickly point out that only some of the animals move north at this point with a majority of the group still staying in the North-Western Corridor. 

Grumeti River Crossing | KIRAWIRA

June – July

Around June, some of the Great Wildebeest Migration will have reached and congregated around the Grumeti River in Kirawira in the Western Corridor. At this point, the migration is halted or slowed down as the channels on the river prove difficult to cross. It is here that the crocodiles in the Grumeti River get their annual feasts as hundreds of Wildebeests cross at the same time hoping to make it to the other side. The migration on Kirawira ceases in the month of October.

Mara River Crossing | KOGATENDE

June – November

The Mara River crossing commences around June and stops around November. Great Wildebeest Migration is Considered at the final crossing as the herds try to get to Mara where water is abundant and the grass is plentiful. It’s around August and September that a larger group of herds can be seen scattered around Northern Serengeti trying to make the crossing.

They don’t all cross at one go, it could be a small trickle at times or if you’re lucky, it’s a whole horde moving non-stop for hours. It is at this point that nature and the circle of life are witnessed. The plains are dry and there is a sense of urgency. Animals die in the hundreds and thousands as the strong current, crocodiles, and predators circling the bank take their toll on the herd.

Great Wildebeest Migration Migrating South | KOGATENDE

October – November

Around October into early November, the herd can be seen moving southwards via the East of Serengeti back to the short grass plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation area. By December, the herds will have reached their destination, spread out in the South of the Serengeti. At this time, the Southern region contains plenty of grass to feed the Wildebeest, Zebras and other animals whilst they prepare for calving season as the migration cycle starts again.

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