Tracking the Great Wildebeest Migration

When planning a safari to witness the Serengeti migration, it is essential to understand the optimal locations to stay at various points during the safari. The Wildebeest and Zebra herds embark on a massive counter-clockwise journey. While June is an ideal time to observe the Grumeti River stage of the migration, the best period for visiting the Masai Mara is from July through October.

The term "wildebeest migration" refers to the annual movement of over 2,000,000 wild animals, including wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, and topis, as they traverse from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to Kenya's Masai Mara and back in search of fresh food and water.

The wildebeest migration extends beyond the boundaries of the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Park. Instead, it encompasses a vast region known as the Serengeti ecosystem, which includes the Masai Mara as well. Private reserves and concession areas like the Grumeti Game Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Loliondo Game Controlled Area contribute to the expanse of this migratory habitat, creating a massive migratory zone.

The schedule of the Serengeti wildebeest migration is entirely dependent on annual rainfall patterns, making it impossible to predict their exact arrival.

Nevertheless, in the Serengeti, the wildebeest migration typically adheres to this monthly calendar:

During December and March, it all commences in the Southern Plains of the Serengeti. This is where the wildebeests establish their habitat, and approximately half a million wildebeest calves are born each year, typically in late February or March.

In April and May, as the southern plains dry up and the rutting season begins, the wildebeest herds commence their northward journey. They can be observed gradually making their way through Moru Kopjes in the South Central Serengeti during April and May as they initiate their migration north.

June and July mark the entry of the animals into the Serengeti Western Corridor, reaching the pinnacle of the wildebeest migration. This phase presents the wildebeest and their newborn calves with their first significant challenge as they encounter the Grumeti River, where ravenous crocodiles await their crossing.

August through November is the period when the great migration attains its northernmost point, the grasslands flanking the crocodile-infested Mara River. Here, the herds must cross the river twice to complete their migration cycle, and this river crossing often lures many animals.