The Great Wildebeest Migration safari expeditions in the Serengeti is the largest single movement of wild animals in the world and this migration is listed as one of eight Natural Wonders.
Around 1.5 million wildebeests with hundreds of thousands of zebras, elands, gazelles along with a trailing retinue of predators leave their calving grounds in southern Serengeti around March and April heading for the next water source. The dates timing of the migration depends upon the annual rains and renewal of fresh pasture which may seasonally occur earlier or later in some years.
During the migration, several animals trek via the south-central Seronera into the Western Corridor and Grumeti River arriving during the month of April to May and they stay until June and they cross the Mara River around the months of July or August. These animals cross Mara River again in the months of October to November to head to Lobo and Loliondo in eastern Serengeti.
The white bearded wildebeest journey continues back to the southern Ndutu calving grounds with arrivals starting around December with temporary residence till March. Timing wildebeest migration depends on what you want to witness in Serengeti. Below are the activities that happen in each month of the year in Serengeti National Park.
December-April. This the best time for wildebeest migration calving season. The wildebeest calving happens in the Ndutu Conservation Area and south of Serengeti. From January to March, more than 500,000 wildebeest calves are born, making it almost about 8000 wildebeest calves born daily. If you are looking to have an adventure of wildlife activities and big cats hunting, visit between January to March and get immersed deeply. These months are hot and dry but full of food and water and a conducive environment for wildebeest calving. The short rains from November to December bring much-needed food and water as well as the long rains that start in mid-February and March provide much-needed food and water.
May-July. This is the period that the wildebeest after having feasted on the short green grasses of the southeastern Serengeti and after having giving birth to their offspring, start getting ready for their 800-kilometer-long trek. The actual starting date may be anytime between late April and early June. This is the time you may have the privilege to see one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world.
During the migration, the herd will move towards the Western Corridor where they will face the first major obstacle of crossing the Grumeti River. Many animals do not survive the crossing as they are being awaited by the area’s population of oversized crocodiles ready to feast. The herd may congregate on the southern bank of the river and stay there for up to two weeks before crossing the river.
August-September. When the Grumeti River obstacle has been taken, the herd moves further north and starts crossing the next big hurdle, the Mara River in July or August. The Mara River crossing is where so many iconic Great Migration photos have been taken. After this crossing the herd flocks to the northwest plains. This period is considered being a bad time to visit Serengeti National Park and see the Great Migration as the herd moves into the Masai Mara in Kenya. However, migration patterns show that about half of the herd stays on the Tanzanian side. In this period, smaller herds of wildebeest frequently cross the Mara River back to Serengeti. This is an excellent time to stay at one of the Serengeti Mara camps for easy observing of these animals.
October-November. In this period the herd will cross the northern plains and Lobo area. This section of Serengeti National Park is little-visited and if you want to see the migration in relative quietness, this would be the right time. The wildebeest return to the short- grass plains and calving ground around Ndutu in late November.
