- Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest location updates (see below) and a month
by month guide to lodges and camps giving you the
best opportunity to witness the east Africa’s
wildebeest migration.
The endless plains of east Africa are the setting
for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle - the
1.5 million animal ungulate (wildebeest) migration.
From the vast Serengeti plains to the champagne
colored hills of Kenya’s Masai Mara over 1.4 million
wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle,
relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators,
migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles each
year in search of rain ripened grass.
There is no real beginning or end to a wildebeest's
journey. Its life is an endless pilgrimage, a
constant search for food and water. The only
beginning is at the moment of birth. An estimated
400,000 wildebeest calves are born during a six week
period early each year - usually between late
January and mid-March.
The Migratory Path
December, January, Feburary, March: The
Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation
Area is arguably the most impressive wildlife
sanctuary in the world. During the months December
through March the seemingly unending plains of the
southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are
inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra.
The great herds graze on rain ripened grass.This is the best time to visit the Serengeti.
In the calving season (late January through mid
March when over 80% of the wildebeest give birth
over a period of a few weeks) the herds concentrate
at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti /
Ngorongoro Conservation Area) attracting the
attention of predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.
During this period the migration is best observed
from a luxury mobile camp in the Ndutu / Naabi area
or from Ndutu Safari Lodge.
April, May: During the months April and May the
depleted plains are unable to sustain the endless
herds. The migration, sweeping west and north, moves
from the short grass plains of the southern
Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the long
grass plains and woodland of the Serengeti’s western
Corridor, almost to Lake Victoria.
This period is during the long rains and is
considered off season for wildlife viewing in east
Africa as roads are often impassable. Ndutu Safari
Lodge, Kusini Camp and the Serengeti Serena Lodge
are fine for wildlife viewing during this time. So
are campsites in the Ndutu/Naabi area.
June: By the end of May the wildebeest have
exhausted the Western Corridor’s best pastures and
the herds must move further north. Entering the
Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle breeding occurs
May through June.
This is a transitional period between the rains and
the dry season. Faru Faru River Lodge, Sasakwa Hill
Lodge, Sabora Plains Tented Camp, Grumeti River
Camp, Migration Camp, and Kirawira Camp are good
options for viewing the migration at this time.
Seronera and Moru area campsites are best.
July, August, September, October: By July the
countless herds have amassed along the swollen Mara
River - a final barrier from the short sweet grasses
of the Masai Mara. Sometimes the crossing place they
have chosen is shallow allowing the majority of
animals to pass safely. In other areas the waters
boil with drowning wildebeest and slashing
crocodiles. Please note that the vast majority of
travelers do not witness the wildebeest crossing of
the Mara as the timing and duration varies widely
each year - in years of little rain very few
wildebeest cross the Mara River into Kenya.
Between July and October the wildebeest reside
in the Mara. We recommend Governor's Il Moran Tented
Camp as the leading safari camp in the Masai Mara.
Other tented camps include Governor's Main Camp,
Little Governor’s Camp, and Bataluer Camp. Tanzanian
lodges recommended during this time include Faru
Faru River Lodge, Sasakwa Hill Lodge, Sabora Plains
Tented Camp, Grumeti River Camp, Migration Camp and
Kirawira Camp. Kirawira and Moru area campsites are
best.
November: The arrival of the short rains call
the migration southward. During the short rains of
November the wildebeest migration is best viewed
from Klein’s Camp. Campsites in the Lobo area are
best.
As November ends the migration is making its way
back to the southern Serengeti and early in the year
they once again give birth. The circle of life is
complete.
*Note - the migration is a natural event and the
timing varies month by month; year by year.
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