Monthly Wildebeest Migration Patterns – Routes : Find out The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Seasonal Patterns throughout the year : Wildebeest Migration Patterns show the routes that the great wildebeest migration takes through the year in both Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park. The Great Wildebeest Migration also known as The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration is a phenomenon occurrence and is one of the most exciting natural wonders of the world. With 2 million wildebeests and thousands of gazelles, zebras and antelopes, Wildebeest Migration is the largest migration of wildlife ever witnessed on earth.
Witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration is a once in a life time opportunity and travelers have the unique opportunity to enjoy this grand spectacle up close and in person on a safari in Tanzania and Kenya.
This article details vital information on the monthly Serengeti Wildebeest Migration patterns to discover what the wildebeest migration is and the best time to travel.
What is the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration?
Serengeti Wildebeest Migration refers to annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests and thousands of zebras, gazelles and impalas through the Mara Serengeti Ecosystem (southern Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya) in search for pasture and water following an old route. The movement of the wildebeests is triggered by thunderstorms and rainfall.
Witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration is an ultimate goal for African safari lovers perfect for either novice or experienced travelers.
Depending on the time of the year, there are ideal locations in Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve to embark upon the experience of a lifetime and witness the wildebeest migration.
Below is your guide to a monthly Serengeti Wildebeest Migration patterns, what to expect on a wildebeest safari holiday and the best places to stay to make the most of your holiday.
Month by Month Breakdown of The Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a year – round phenomenon dictated by the rains which sees the herds moving in a constant clockwise motion throughout the Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve.
From December to April, the wildebeest herds can typically be found in the Ndutu plains in the Southern Serengeti and in late January – early February, the calving season takes place.
Once the long rains arrive in April – May, the herds move towards the Serengeti’s Western Corridor, then the wildebeest face perilous water currents and predators as they attempt to cross the Grumeti River to continue their journey north towards the lush pastures of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Finally, the herd reaches their destination and they remain in the Masai Mara national reserve for around three months before heading back to Tanzania in November.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in January, February & March
Over a million wildebeests also called the Gnu, zebras and gazelles spend the first month of the year in the plains of Serengeti National Park feeding on the short grass and preparing for migration.
The majority of wildebeest calves have just been born in February with around half a million new calves in that month, as the Southern plains become picked over, the herds begin to spread west and prepare for their migration north in the Spring.
This makes for an incredible sight during game drives, expect to see newborn calves and you if you are lucky, you might witness a birth and also see plenty of predator action.
The wildebeest encourage their newborns to get on their feet immediately and join the herds where their safety is guaranteed. Predators like lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and rare wild dogs wait in the surrounding areas ready to prey the weak and vulnerable members of the herd.
An easy kill isn’t always guaranteed as the female wildebeest instinctively head to the short grass plains so that they can see predators approaching and they form a barricade around birthing mothers to protect them and their young ones thus ensuring the majority of the newborn calves survive.
Towards the end of the short dry season (usually the end of March), the short – grass plains in the Southern Serengeti begin to dry out and the wildebeest and zebras start to head towards the western woodlands
The Great Wildebeest Migration in April & May
Usually April brings the first signs of migration with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest beginning their arduous journey across the western plains and finally north.
The herds move through the Ndoha and Dutwa plains adjacent to the Mbalagweti River, they may begin to pile up near the Mbalagweti and Grumeti Rivers awaiting the crossing, a dangerous obstacle for animals.
The Great Wildebeest Migration June & July
Usually the rutting season starts in June and you expect to see fierce fighting between competitive males as they vie for the attention of females and it’s around this time that the dry season starts with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river and this dramatic river crossing is one of the most exciting events of the Great Migration
In early July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier, the Mara River in northern Serengeti and this river crossing is a memorable and exciting wildlife encounter on Earth. The Crossings usually start in July but the precise timing depends on the rains.
The migration herds will typically be found in the Northern Serengeti during the month of July and a small portion will have successfully made it to the Masai Mara with continuous daily river crossings being seen at the Mara and Talek rivers.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in August, September & October
At the start of August, the migration herds have encountered the challenge of crossing the Mara River and are spread across the Northern part the Masai Mara Reserve with many remaining in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park. One should note that there is no single crossing. At some spots, there are just a few individuals while others have a mass of animals moving without break for hours.
Later in early October, the migration herds are all Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve in search for fresh grass to gaze. This is also a wonderful time to have your safari in Masai Mara national reserve.
As the long rains begin in October, the herds begin their long journey south back to the Serengeti following the new grass but this does not mean that life becomes easy as there is always danger lurking around in form of hunting prides of lions and packs of hyenas.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in November & December Migration
At the end of October or early November, the wildebeest move down from Kenya into the eastern region of the Serengeti past Namiri Plains. By December, the wildebeest herds are spread across the eastern and southern regions and the cycle continues as the calving season starts once again.
Tips for Planning Your Migration Safari
- Book early – at least a year in advance because Lodges and camps fill up fast especially during the popular River Crossings Great Migration Safari season from May to October which is regarded as Tanzania safari’s high season.
- Arrange your timing carefully because knowing when to go for a wildebeest Migration Safari entirely depends on what you want to experience on your safari. Please note that the Migration is a year-round journey and some of its stages like the river crossings cannot be predicted.
- Go private since the national parks can get very busy during safari’s high season (May to October) and if you’re looking for exclusivity plus accessibility to the herds consider staying in a private reserve or conservancy.
- Browse our recommended Wildebeest Serengeti Migration safaris below, or get in touch with one of our Tanzania Safari Experts to help you tailor-make an itinerary based on your travel wishes.
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