The Serengeti Migration

The Serengeti Migration : Rainfall, the availability of water, and the availability of fresh pastures determine the endless migration of wildebeest and other migratory species in the Serengeti environment. Every year, the migration proceeds in the same clockwise direction, with only minor deviations based on the weather. The main migratory population of wildebeests in the Serengeti ecosystem is estimated by the official guidebook to span 25,000 square kilometres. Of this population, approximately two thirds are protected within the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Kenya Maasai Mara National Reserve; the remaining portion is found in the surrounding areas that border the Serengeti, which include the Loliondo Game Controlled Area to the northeast, Maswa Game Reserve to the southwest, Grumeti Game Reserve, and Ikorongo Game Reserve, all of which are in Tanzania.

Typically, the migration remains in Tanzania from November to August, a period of at least nine months. The majority of the Serengeti ecosystem is contained within Serengeti National Park. The south-eastern Serengeti plains and the open woodlands surrounding Lakes Ndutu and Masek become a busy holding ground for vast herds of migratory animals, primarily the wildebeest, who breed and re-group in their hundreds of thousands every year from December through April, depending on the onset of the short and long rains. Geographically part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu plays a significant role in the Serengeti ecology, particularly the open short grass plains that serve as calving grounds for the wildebeest each year in February and March.

Why do wildebeest migrate?

The 800 kilometres trek of the immense wildebeest herd is the largest mammal migration on earth. The timing of the migration coincides with greening of nutritious grasses on the short-grass plains during the wet season. These areas are safer because predators can be easily spotted making it an ideal place for calving. However, the plains dry and the wildebeest are forced to move in search of greener pastures in the western corridor. The northern extension of the ecosystem has the highest rainfall, but the grasses are least nutritious. This is the dry season retreat for the wildebeest, at least until the south becomes green again. The result is a clockwise movement from the south, west, north, and back to the south.

How it happens

There’s probably nowhere else in the world that depicts the circle of life more accurately than this one. The Tanzania safari begins in the Southern Serengeti during the calving season of wildebeest. Thousands and thousands of calves are born within a few weeks of one another, providing a feast for the eyes of true wildlife fans. Predators such as lions and hyenas are continuously looking for infants. When the drought arrives in May, the herd heads north to Kenya’s Masai Mara, where they eat the tall, lush grass. The zebras and gazelles follow suit. There is risk involved with the migration: when crossing rivers, one must confront over 3,000 crocodiles that are waiting eagerly for a meal. Not to be forgotten is the renowned Serengeti lion population, which is by far the biggest in Africa.

These huge cats do not have an easy life in this harsh terrain, even with the abundance of hoofed meat available here. However, witnessing a lion pack working together to hunt a wildebeest is a once-in-a-lifetime Tanzania safari experience. The migration then returns to the Serengeti with the start of the brief rains in late October. By December, the herds have completed their circuit when they walk past Seronera, a little town in the centre of the Serengeti that is home to the official Serengeti Visitors’ Centre.

The migration then returns to the Serengeti with the start of the brief rains in late October. By December, the herds have completed their circuit when they walk past Seronera, a little town in the centre of the Serengeti that is home to the official Serengeti Visitors’ Centre.

A detailed look at The Great Migration

Observing the Great Migration should definitely be on your itinerary when organising a safari in Serengeti. How then can you make sure you’ll be present when it occurs? The quick answer is no, you cannot. It’s critical to understand that there is always some danger involved when choosing whether to travel to the Serengeti. Although this is what typically occurs—we have described the Great Migration in detail below—keep in mind that there are no certainties. The largest animal show of its kind in Africa, if not the entire globe, occurs every year when two million ungulates—wildebeest, zebra, Grant’s gazelle, and eland—migrate through Serengeti National Park.The Serengeti migration safaris is governed by local rainfall conditions and follows a generally predictable annual cycle, but fluctuations do occur from year to year. The following time periods comprise the Great Migration cycle:

December – April

The primary calving grounds are located southeast of Seronera; the usual Serengeti plains extend as far as the Ndutu region, which is close to Ngorongoro. The little rains in November and December are what brought them to this location. The wildebeest stay in this area until the end of April or the beginning of May, when the long rains stop. The good news is that this area of the Serengeti National Park is very accessible, and the vegetation gets lush during this time of year. The greatest time to explore the Ndutu region and the south-eastern plains is usually around February, when calving season occurs. Because there are so many zebras, wildebeest, and other ungulates, and because they give birth to so many calves, the sight attracts predators. The herd may reposition itself in quest of greener pastures as early as March or April. Although it is more difficult to witness the migration in action during this time, it is likely that you may come across enormous herds of animals in motion.

May- July

At this time, the wildebeest begin preparing for their 800-kilometer journey after feeding on the short green grasses of the south-eastern Serengeti and giving birth to their young. The real commencement date might fall anywhere from the end of April to the beginning of June. Now is your chance to witness one of nature’s most amazing spectacles: a column of up to 40 kilometres long, made up of over a million marching animals. The herd will migrate towards the Western Corridor, where they will have to cross the Grumeti River, which will be their first significant challenge. Because the large crocodiles in the area are waiting to feast, many animals do not make it across the crossing. Before crossing the river, the herd may gather on the southern bank and remain there for up to two weeks.

August – September

The herd goes further north and begins to cross the next major obstacle, the Mara River, in July or August, once they have successfully crossed the Grumeti River. Numerous famous photographs of the Great Migration were shot near the Mara River crossing. Following this crossing, the herd moves on to the plains in the northwest of Kenya and the Masai Mara National Reserve. When the herd migrate into Kenya’s Masai Mara, August through September is said to be a horrible time to visit Serengeti National Park and witness the Great Migration. Nonetheless, migration trends indicate that roughly 50% of the herd remains in the Mara Serengeti region of Tanzania. During this time, smaller groups of wildebeest—well, we say small—frequently cross the Mara River back and forth for no obvious reason. Herds can consist of 500–2,000 individuals. Now is a great time to book a stay at a Serengeti Mara camp.

October- November

If the herd is travelling north across the Mara River, they will eventually have to cross the river again before starting their journey back south. Usually in October, but occasionally sooner, this takes place. The herd will go via the Lobo region and the northern plains during this time. Since there aren’t many Tanzania tour safari visitors to this area of Serengeti National Park, now would be the ideal moment to witness the migration in peace and quiet. In late November, the wildebeest migrate back to the short-grass plains and calving grounds surrounding Ndutu. And that’s where the Great Migration begins anew.