Migration Of Wildebeests
Also known as the great wildebeest migration, this amazing and thrilling experience draws many visitors from all around the world to see this great movement of mammals with in Serengeti and Masai Mara eco systems. It occurs both in Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national wildlife reserve. With a great population of millions of Wildebeests together with hundreds of Zebras and other mammals such Gazelles, Impalas and other animals as their predators follow them closely such as lions, jackals, Leopards, cheetahs, Hyenas among others and plenty of birds up in the sky including Vultures that makes the entire view of the migrating wildebeests more stunning and interesting. Fresh savanna vegetation largely influences the Wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve; so, wildebeests always travel following the greener pasture all year long.
Starting in Tanzania, Wildebeests travel in a clockwise direction from where they breed from to Kenya, where they mate from and the cycle continues. Actually, wildebeest migration begins immediately from breeding time and runs through the year from mating.
Since this is the breeding season and a lot of calves are bone with the climax of calving seen in February, a great herds of Wildebeests alongside other mammals such as Zebras, Gazelles, Elands, Impalas are seen grazing on the fresh vegetation cover in the southern part of Serengeti national park as their predators, lion, hyenas, cheetahs are targeting the young wildebeests for their next meals. This starts the wildebeest migration across the plains of Southern Serengeti national park, which thrills with green flora during rainy seasons. < Therefor, December to March marks the truly beginning of wildebeest migration and takes place in Serengeti national park’s southern section. Making it the ideal time to visit the park and see a large number of wildebeests and other species teaming together either already on migration or to begin their journey.
Witnessing the wildebeests furiously and agonizingly pass over the Mara River within Masai Mara-Serengeti environment is an amazing experience from July to September. The exciting vegetation on the other side of the river draws the wildebeest, thus visitors see the struggle as some of them drown in the river, others are seen being grabbed by the hungry crocodiles but the rest of the group has to push on until they reach the opposite side of the river where they also find hungry predators waiting to eat the weak ones; this does not lead to extinction of wildebeests; rather, their population remains the largest of mammals in the park. The wildebeest are visible browsing the Masai Mara savanna grassland by the end of September. Depending on rainfall, this is yet the mating season for these wildebeests and the ideal time to visit Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya. It runs until the beginning of October.
As Masai Mara starts to experience dry months, the Eastern part of Serengeti national park near river Grumeti receives rain so abundant of food is available in the plains of Serengeti national and this then attracts the wildebeest to start their migration from Masai Mara back to Serengeti national park for fresh food. From Masai Mara, Wildebeests will travel the same route via western part of Loliondo and proceed to Northern part of NCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) corridor where they finally cross Grumeti river to the southern part of Serengeti national park where they will arrive in December in preparation for calving that goes on till late February and the Migration starts again. The wildebeest migration occurs in clockwise direction.
Why is the migration of Wildebeest occurring?
- Rain patterns affect the wildebeest migration since the wildebeests travel to places with rain.
- Fresh, green plants draw Wildebeests, who are supposed to contain phosphorous and nitrogen. They consequently always travel in search of these two vital nutrients.
- Wildebeests also migrate since it is their natural habitat and nothing can stop them until a horrible meeting with the crocodiles while crossing rivers.
When would be the ideal time to experience wildebeest migration?
Targeting the finest months of visiting Masai Mara and Serengeti national park is always better as the wildebeests are known of moving annually.
Wildebeest travel
Migration in Wildebeest
For visitors who want to witness an exciting Wildebeest migration since it’s the time these wildebeests are crossing Mara River and staying in Mara until the beginning of October, which marks their return to Serengeti national park. The months December through March are ideal for visitors visiting Serengeti national park to take in a view of a sizable wildebeest population getting ready for the migration following calving.
But wildebeests are visible but scattered among other creatures at any given moment, therefore not providing the ideal experience desired as opposed to the particular months of the true eye-catching spectacle.
Recommended Tours: 6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari | 5 Days Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
