Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti! Experience river crossings & calving season. Best time to go, expert guides & camps
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti! Experience river crossings & calving season. Best time to go, expert guides & luxury camps, Every year, 1.5 million wildebeest, 200 000 zebra, and hundreds of antelope of various types undertake the 800 to 1000 km journey across Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. All of the major predators, as one would assume, follow closely behind. It’s their take on ‘Food on the Move.’
There are no words to describe the feeling of witnessing these massive herds of wild animals roar across the plains, blowing up dust as they go, as they roar across the plains. They are truly one of the greatest spectacles on earth. If you watch them moving, it appears to be almost as if thunder is rumbling underneath the African soil as they are moving. And that’s before we get to the crocodile-infested river crossings in June/Jul/August.
What is Serengeti Wildebeest Migrations
Why do they Migrate?
There is no other mammal migration larger than the 800-kilometer trek of the immense wildebeest herd. It occurs during the wet season, when grasses on the short-grass plains begin to green up and become more nutritious. Predators can easily be spotted in these areas, thus making them ideal places for calving. In the western corridor, the plains dry, forcing the wildebeest to move to greener pastures. The grasses in the northern extension of the ecosystem are the least nutritious, but they receive the highest rainfall. Wildebeest retreat here during the dry season, at least until the south becomes green again. As a result, the movement moves clockwise from south to west to north.
More About Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
November and December:
Around the beginning of November, the short rains start. The wildebeest then start to move onto the Serengeti’s short-grass plains in late November and early December. These are near Ndutu, to the south and east of Seronera.
January, February , March:
The majority of wildebeest calves are born in February, and the animals remain in the same region. There are said to be 8000 babies born per day for roughly three weeks.
The animals begin their long trip north in April or May in search of new grazing land and fresh water.
June:
In the Western Corridor, the animals gather on the Grumeti River’s south side. Instead of being one continuous river, the river here often consists of a number of ponds and streams. These river crossings are not as as impressive as those of the Mara River in the north, but the animals serve as an annual feast for the enormous crocodiles of the Grumeti River.
July, August:
The migration keeps migrating north, frequently splitting across a large area. Some pass through the Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo, while others travel through the Serengeti National Park’s central region.
September:
The migration’s biggest challenge is the Mara River, which is why the herds spread over the northern Serengeti. This river flows from Kenya’s neighboring Maasai Mara Game Reserve into the northern Serengeti. If you are fortunate enough to see a crossing, it is amazing.
October:
The herds are moving south once more, across western Loliondo and the Lobo region of the Serengeti National Park, in search of the new leaves that appear after rains on the southern Serengeti’s short-grass plains.
Due to the wildebeest’s moving nature, specific accommodations will become “Mobile Camps” in order to facilitate the sighting. In contrast to dismantling the tent at the end of your stay, this tent will remain in place for several months, and then will be moved to a location where migration is likely to occur. In some areas, there are permanent camps and lodges, but they will be closed during non-migratory months.
It is always recommended to book the migration Safari as early as possible because the camps and lodges are limited in number. They fill up very quickly, especially from June to October.
The Majority of the Migration happens in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and only a small part of the cycle occurs in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
The river crossings are highly unpredictable, but they generally occur from May to September in different parts. The more the number of days you stay, the higher the chance to witness it.
Since the migration and the river crossing are big events, you can expect more crowds from June to September in Serengeti and Masai Mara.
Always stay close to the river or choose the mobile migration camps for the best game viewing. Although you cannot see the migration from your campsite, you can always drive around and search for them.
Plan Your Dream Trip
Reserve your personalized, one-of-a-kind tour experience with complete assurance.
More experiences for you to try
Why you should book with us?
- Your safety is our Number 1 Priority
- There is no Hidden Costs
- Quickest response time
- Drinks - Coffee, Water, Beer, Wine & Soft Drinks
- We take pride in having knowledgeable, experienced, and genuinely caring guides
- We select Great Accommodations
- We provide high-quality, well-maintained Land Cruisers fitted with a fridge, Wi-Fi, and power outlets
- Hot meals during most of the safaris
- Local Registered Tour Operator in Tanzania
- Competitive Prices
DAUDI MOLLEL
Safari Specialist
Experienced Safari Experts
You will have the opportunity to plan your journey with knowledgeable Safari Specialist who will guide you every step of the way. Embrace a life where you can dedicate more time to living the experience, rather than getting caught up in researching, worrying, and comparing.