The Wildebeest Migrate annually with a herd of approximately 1,200,000 Wildebeest covering a distance of approximately 800 Kms. For the most part of the year, they graze in the southern eastern part of the ecosystem. That coincides with the calving migration season. This is from November to May.
Once the have depleted the pastures, they start the trek northern towards the Northern Serengeti Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
The Wildebeest colonize the western and northern Serengeti during the months of June and July respectively before continuing their journey north towards the fresher pastures in the Masai Mara, Kenya.
The Wildebeest migration isn’t only about the Wildebeest; they are joined by other migratory animals in the trek north. Herds of Zebras, Thompson Gazelle and Grants Gazelle are migratory too but will cover shorter distances than the Wildebeest and Zebra that are able to make the full migration circle.
NOTE: The route and timing of the Wildebeest migration is unpredictable. To maximize on the chances of enjoying the Wildebeest Migration, we would advise you allow at least three days or more on your Kenya Tanzania Migration Safari to stand a better chance at seeing and experiencing the migration.
There is so much to enjoy with the migration when you visit the Masai Mara. To give you a sneak peek of the migration journey, here are the breathtaking moments from our 10- days wildlife migration photography safari.
THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN SERENGETI
OCTOBER – DECEMBER
The Migrating herds are slowly migrating into the Serengeti from the Masai Mara towards the fresher pastures of northern Serengeti stretching towards central of the Serengeti. In the months of November, you will encounter the herds around central Serengeti in Tanzania. Some wildebeest are also moving south of the Serengeti towards the Moru and Rongai area of the Serengeti. As December sets in the herds are South of the Serengeti slowly trekking towards the open plains of Naabi hill and lake Ndutu in the Ngorongoro Conservation area.
THE WILDEBEEST CALVING SEASON
JANUARY TO MARCH
The migrating herds are slowly moving from the Southern Serengeti into the Ngorongoro Conservation area around the Lake Ndutu region. The wildebeest spread over the short grassy plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation area. As February starts, the wildebeest start the calving season where they give birth to over 8,000 young Wildebeest daily. To witness the Calving, you need to be out in the open plains early as they normally give birth early morning till around 1000 hrs. as they young calves start to move with the herds towards the open plains.
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THE MIGRATION TOWARDS NORTHERN SERENGETI STARTS
APRIL TO JUNE
The migrating herds will slowly start to move as the grass is getting depleted and they move slowly towards the central Serengeti. The herds will split with a part of the herd migrating towards the Namiri plains eastern of the Serengeti while another group will move western of Serengeti.
The herds can be seen around Seronera and Ikoma area as they move into the Ikorongo game reserve. During this period they will cross the Crocodile infested Gurumeti River. Here you can witness the epic crossings as the Crocodiles hunt the Wildebeest.
THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION MARA RIVER CROSSINGS
JULY TO OCTOBER
During the July to October period, the Wildebeest are north of Serengeti Tanzania and in the Masai Mara in Kenya. For the Mara river crossings in July, the Kogatende area is best in July and August as the herds slowly migrate north into the Masai Mara. The Masai Mara in Kenya will also have the herds cross the Mara River as they migrate western of the Mara towards the Mara triangle.
The herds in the Masai Mara will migrate north of the Mara triangle crossing western into the paradise plains north of the Mara river. This is also the rut season of the Wildebeest as they go into the mating season.
The wildebeest have been seen to migrate in between Masai Mara in Kenya and Northern Serengeti
