Serengeti Great Migration
.. Overview ..
Every year, millions of wildebeests migrate into Tanzania during “The Great Migration.” This annual animal migration is the biggest on Earth and has been happening for thousands of years. This yearly phenomena is best observed at the world-famous Serengeti National Park, where herds of antelope, zebras, wildebeests, and more brave the perilous journey.
The Great Migration portrays nature in its most raw form: as herds of animals move across Africa’s plains, over perilous rivers, and over stunning vistas, you will be enthralled by these African safari adventures. It is worth noting that the Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park occurs throughout the year in some form. Because of its vast expanse, it is possible to see wildebeest herds in various areas of the park.
When to go?
The herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, moving south from the north-east region and into the area near Lake Ndutu. The Serengeti is not fenced, so the herds are free to move where they can find grazing. Remember that although up to two million wildebeest, zebra and antelope form the Serengeti Migration, they are not all in a single herd. The animals break up into mega-herds of thousands or hundreds of individuals at time.
It is calving season (over 8 000 wildebeest babies are born each day!) so prepare yourself for lots of wobbly calves... and lots of heartbreak as fearsome predators swoop in. The Serengeti’s big cats take the lion’s share, but hit-and-run jackals, packs of wild dog, and hyena clans add to the spectacle. It’s a bittersweet ballad; the circle of life played out as a live action drama.
If the short rainy season (Nov–Dec) produced good grazing, the herds feed frenziedly and remain in the Serengeti's southern plains until they slowly start moving west in March.
It’s the start of the long rains (Apr–May) and the herds generally move in a north-westerly direction towards the Moru and Simba Kopjes. The action-packed rutting (breeding) season is in full swing, featuring testosterone-fuelled jousts between males competing for the right to mate with receptive females.
The massed herds are on the go, huge columns of up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) in length can sometimes be seen as the wildebeest funnel up into the central Serengeti. Everyone’s moving a little quicker now that the calves are stronger.
The wildebeest are usually in the central Serengeti and getting ready for the toughest part of their odyssey. The herds may have split up, with some already crossing the Grumeti River.
The Great Migration have reached the Grumeti region and northern parts of the Serengeti and are peering closely at the treacherous waters of the Mara River they have to cross into Kenya. Why? Huge Nile crocodiles, that's why!
As mentioned, it is impossible to accurately predict river crossings – they depend entirely on the rains and the often unpredictable wildebeest themselves. It’s vital to book your Wildebeest Migration safari in Africa up to a year in advance to get a lodge on or as close to the river as possible – this cuts down on travel time to lookout points. The wildebeest do have historical crossing areas and you may spend days staked out in the hope of seeing the action. We recommend choosing a mobile safari camp that moves with the Migration to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time.
At the end of September, the migration reaches the border with Kenya. In October, during the peak of the dry season, most of the animals have migrated to the Maasai Mara in Kenya where there is a lot of fresh water and plenty of grass.
When is the Best Time to Go on a Migration Safari?
Event
Approximate Time
Place
Calving (Birthing) Season
February to March
Southern Serengeti
Rutting (Breeding) Season
April to May
Western & Central Serengeti
Grumeti River Crossings
May to June
Central Serengeti
Mara River Crossings
July to August
Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara
On the Move
November to January
Masai Mara & Northern Serengeti to Southern Serengeti
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