Guide to Africa’s Great Wildebeest Migration

What happens when?

Let’s get into it! Due to climate change, the long and short rainy seasons in Tanzania and Kenya are no longer as regular or predictable as they once were. The rains can be late or early, which will throw the whole wildebeest calendar out of synch. This is, once again, why it’s important to plan for as much time on safari as possible. You cannot fly in for two nights, see a river crossing and fly out again – nature simply doesn’t work that way.

Here is a very general guideline / month-by-month breakdown for where the herds are during the year – bearing in mind that the entire Gnu Migration is triggered by rain, which can be early, late or on time:

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January

The massive herds of wildebeest are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park during the month of January, moving south from the north-east region into the area near Lake Ndutu. As the Serengeti is not fenced, the large herds are completely unrestricted and free to roam the vast landscapes in search of fresh grazing.

Although the Great Wildebeest Migration consists of up to two million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope, they are not all part of a single herd. Instead, the animals break up into separate mega-herds consisting of thousands or hundreds of individuals.

February & March

The Great Migration typically starts in the Southern region of the Serengeti National Park. The ‘start’ of the Great Migration coincides with the prime wildebeest calving season – February to March – as thousands of wildebeest calves are born within a couple weeks of each other.

It is said that over 8 000 wildebeest babies are born each day during this period. Due to the rapid rise in the number of new-born wildebeest, there’s an equally significant increase in the number of predators, such as lions, leopards, packs of wild dogs, jackals, and hyenas in the area who are constantly on the hunt for new-born wildlife. So you better prepare yourself for spectacular sightings of lots of wobbly calves, along with extreme heartbreak as fearsome predators swoop in and take them down.

While the relentless and renowned Serengeti National Park’s big cats are known to take the lion’s share, hit-and-run jackals, packs of wild dog, and hungry hyena clans all add to the spectacle. It’s a bittersweet ballad; the circle of life played out as a live action drama.

If the short rainy season (which takes place during November to December) produced good grazing, the herds of wildebeest feed frenziedly and remain in the Serengeti’s southern plains until they slowly start moving west in March.

April

The months of April and May not only signals the start of the long rains, it is also the time when the mega-herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope move in a north-westerly direction towards the Moru and Simba Kopjes. That’s not all! April is known for its action-packed rutting / breeding season which is in full-swing during this time of year, featuring testosterone-fuelled jousts between males competing for the right to mate with receptive females.

May

ITS GO TIME!! Mass herds of wildebeest are officially on the move. Huge columns of up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) in length can sometimes be seen as the millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope venture up into the central Serengeti. As the calves have gained strength and stamina, all the mega-herds are moving at a much faster pace.

Just as the drought starts to set in during the month of May and Tanzania’s dry season approaches, the Great Migration continues on their journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

June

During the month of June the wildebeest can typically be found in the central Serengeti as they prepare for the toughest part of their migration journey. The herds may have split up, with some herds already crossing the Grumeti River.

July & August

The Great Wildebeest Migration officially reaches the Grumeti region and northern parts of the Serengeti during the month of July and are cautiously approaching the treacherous waters of the Mara River they have to cross into Kenya.

August is generally considered the best time to witness the dramatic river crossings from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara. The Mara River crossing of The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most thrilling and equally daunting endeavors to witness and experience. Often referred to as “the greatest show on earth”, the great Mara River is both surrounded by and filled with Africa’s top predators, making it an incredibly risky journey for all of the wildlife species taking part in the Annual Great Migration. However, despite the great danger that awaits these animals – the Mara River crossing cannot be avoided and is a vital component of the Great Migration cycle / movement.

Nile crocodiles and other predators are patiently waiting for the right moment to strike and make the wildebeest their prey. Not to mention the legendary Serengeti lions – some 3,000 of them – who lie in wait, along with leopards, cheetahs, and countless hungry hyenas all jumping at the bid to get in on the action.

The multitudes of snorting and cavorting animals, the heart-stopping tension of the river crossing, and the sinister patience of the predators that follow the herds all combine to form an epic life-and-death saga that plays out beneath Kenya’s vast skies.

**As mentioned, it is impossible to accurately predict river crossings – they depend entirely on the rains and the often unpredictable wildebeest themselves. It’s vital to book your Wildebeest Migration safari in Africa up to a year in advance to get a lodge on or as close to the river as possible – this cuts down on travel time to lookout points. The wildebeest do have historical crossing areas and you may spend days staked out in the hope of seeing the action. We recommend choosing a mobile safari camp that moves with the Migration to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time.**

**Important Note: You will need a valid passport to cross into Kenya. The Masai Mara National Reserve is open to members of the public so for a more exclusive safari experience, head for the private conservancies that are contiguous with the reserve.

September

The large herds of wildebeest break up into smaller groups, as not all the wildebeest migrate into Kenya. Less than half of the animals remain in the northern Serengeti, the rest are swapping war stories in the Masai Mara. This means that you can still see wildebeest in the Serengeti during this time of year. However, as a general rule of thumb, the Masai Mara is the best place to witness the Migration in September.

October

During October your best bet is still the Masai Mara if you’re eager to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. The Masai Mara is however a much smaller reserve compared to the great Serengeti National Park which means there will be a lot more visitors and spectators around. The neighbouring private conservancies are much less crowded and, not only will you still be able to witness the Migration, you will also directly contribute to the Maasai communities who have lived there for thousands of years. Plus you can enjoy off-road game viewing, night drives and walking safaris – activities not permitted in the national reserve.

November

In a ‘normal year’ the short rains have begun, propelling the wildebeest to leave the now denuded grasslands of the Masai Mara and head back into the rejuvenated Serengeti. Bear in mind that the rain can be late or early, which is also unpredictable.

The herds are generally on the move, but can be seen around the north-eastern parts of the Serengeti where they may split into smaller groups for their journey southward.

December

Fresh grazing sees the wildebeest move south, covering the northern and eastern Serengeti to feast and prepare for yet another death-defying, 3 000-km (1 900-mi) odyssey.

Key Facts to Remember

• The bulk of the Migration takes place in the Serengeti.
• It’s a year-round, circular journey.
• River crossings cannot be predicted, but generally occur between May and August.
• The animals are strung out across a large area – there are always fore-runners and stragglers.
• Your best chance of seeing river crossing may involve spending all day at a site where the wildebeest have massed. If you are a keen photographer, your best opportunities may occur around midday when the sun and glare are at their harshest, so make preparations to accommodate this.