What is the Great Wildebeest Migration?
he Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest animal migration on earth, involving over 2 million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles every year. Wildebeest migrate on a loop path through Tanzania and Kenya following the seasonal rains even when that involves passing through dangerous territory.
Wildebeest typically inhabit the Serengeti plains of southeastern Africa. For most of their lives, wildebeest graze in the grassy savannas and open woodlands of the plains, which straddle the nations of Tanzania and Kenya.
More than 1.5 million wildebeest migrate in an enormous loop every year. The annual migration northwest, at the end of the rainy season (usually in May or June) is recognized as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Natural World.”
The search for greener pastures does not come without danger. Its migration route crosses many rivers, most filled with giant Nile crocodiles.
When to Travel?
The herds move south from the north-east and into the area near Lake Ndutu in Serengeti. Short spells of rain can be seen from Novemeber onwards, and the herds start to split into smaller groups as they prepare for yet another death-defying crossing back to Serengeti.
Some 500,000 calves are born during this period, making it a prime period for predators to prey on the vulnerable young.
Herds generally move in a north-west direction, in search of greener pastures. The long rains in April to May also mark the mating season, and is filled with the action-packed rutting (breeding season) featuring testosterone – fuelled jousts between males competing for the right to mate with receptive females.
Herds move quicker now, as the calves are generally stronger by this time. Wildebeests and zebras start to mass and it is not unusual to see up to 40km of animals in one herd moving together.
By June, the migrating herds are usually present in the central Serengeti and they are getting ready to move to the toughest part of their odyssey, the herds may split up as some of them are already crossing the Grumeti River.
Widely known as the best period for migration hunting as the vegetation is now at its driest and animals most easily spotted.
The great wildebeest migration has reached the Grumeti region and the northern regions of Serengeti national park by now and they are peering closely at the waters of the Mara River waiting to cross into Kenya. Nile crocodiles lay in anticipation of the crossing wildebeests, while lions and other predators also seize the opportunity of chaos and panic to feast.