Every year, millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move across the grasslands of East Africa in a journey called the Great Migration. This natural wonder primarily occurs in the Serengeti region of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
The Great Migration is the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. The numbers are astonishing: over 1.2 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra along with topi and other gazelle move in a constant cycle through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of nutritious grass and water.
This constant movement of columns of wildebeest, joined by a host of companions, follow an age-old route in search of grazing and water. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animals journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year.
Why Does the Great Migration Occur?
The answer lies in the animals’ need to survive. The most important factor behind the Great Migration is the need for food and water. For millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles, it is a journey driven by the need for food, water, and breeding.
The wildebeest migration is not random. This seasonal migration is guided by the weather, food, and water. The animals move to find fresh grass that grows after the rains. If they do not move, then they cannot eat. Their survival instincts tell them when and where to go. This is why the migration follows the rain patterns.
Read also: What to Wear: Morocco Edition
When the rains come, new grasses begin to grow, and the herds are drawn to these areas. In addition to food, water is also a major concern. During the dry season, water sources can dry up, which makes it even more difficult for the animals to survive. The ecological rhythm of the migration helps the animals stay near water sources while moving through different regions.
Breeding
Another important reason for the migration is breeding. The animals must give birth at the right time to ensure that their young have the best chance of survival. Calving season, which happens in February, occurs in the southern Serengeti where there is plenty of fresh grass. After the calves are born, the herds move northward in search of better grazing, and they continue to follow the rains and the availability of fresh food.
Rain Patterns
Rain patterns are a climate trigger for the Great Migration. The animals rely on the seasonal rains to signal when and where to move. As the rains bring new grasses, the herds follow them. They know that the best grazing lands are found where the rain has been.
Predator-Prey Cycle
Another important part of the migration is the predator-prey cycle. As the herds move, predators like lions, crocodiles, hyenas, and cheetahs follow them, hoping to catch prey. However, the herds are also able to adapt to the dangers of being preyed upon by moving together in large groups. This strategy helps protect the young and weak animals from being picked off.
The Great Migration | Witness Kenya’s Wildlife Spectacle in Maasai Mara
When Does the Great Migration Happen?
The Great Migration follows a predictable pattern that happens every year, and it is all about survival.
Read also: Discover Essaouira, Morocco
Calving Season (February)
The migration starts with the calving season in February. This is when many wildebeests give birth to their babies. It is a busy time as thousands of calves are born in the southern Serengeti. The warm, wet environment helps the babies grow strong, and the herds stay here for the start of the year. It is also a dangerous time because predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs are waiting to hunt.
Movement Northward (April)
By April, the animals begin to move northward as the dry season starts to take over. They head toward the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of food and water. The rains are mostly over, so the animals follow the green grass that grows after the rains. They travel in large groups, constantly on the move, and always looking for a place to graze. Elephants and other herbivores also benefit from the availability of fresh pastures during this phase.
Mara River Crossing (July - September)
The most dramatic part of the migration happens in July through September, when the animals reach the Mara River. This is known as the July river crossing. The wildebeests must cross the river to reach better grazing lands in Kenya. This is a dangerous time because the river is full of crocodiles. Many animals are caught by predators, but the migration continues as they fight to survive.
Return Southward (October)
By October, the animals begin to head back south. The dry season has set in, and the herds need to return to the Serengeti for the final part of the cycle. The herds will travel through dry areas in search of water and fresh grass. This is a tough time, as survival depends on finding enough food and avoiding predators.
New Migration Loop (End of Year)
As the year ends, the rain begins again, triggering the start of a new migration loop.
Read also: Morocco Time Information
Understanding the Migration Route
The Great Migration is often presented as a clockwise circuit with wildlife cycling between Tanzania’s Serengeti in the south and Kenya’s Maasai Mara in the north, and taking place between May and December. In reality, this illustration is an oversimplification of a complex phenomenon. As with anything that moves with the rhythms of nature, the Great Migration circuit should be interpreted as a pattern rather than gospel.
“The Migration is not a continuous forward motion,” explains Migration expert Richard Knocker, one of Nomad Tanzania’s best private guides. “They go forward, backwards, and to the sides. They mill around, they split up, they join forces again. They walk in a line, spread out, or they hang around together. You can never predict with certainty where [wildlife] will be. The Great Migration flows between Tanzania and Kenya, a distance of some 1,200 miles, and is driven by the pursuit of plentiful grazing grounds and reliable water.
“Disregard any pretty map you may have been shown that has a tidy flow of animals going round in an annual circle,” cautions Richard. “The Migration does not work like this. It is driven entirely by standing water, grazing and created by local weather conditions.”
Generally speaking, the Migration is observed as moving from Tanzania’s southern Serengeti, north through the Western Corridor and up to the Maasai Mara. The animals close the loop, arriving back at their southern Serengeti calving grounds via the Lobo Area or Loliondo Game Controlled Area in Tanzania.
As the grassy plains of the southern Serengeti begin to dry out, the animals move north in search of sustenance and reliable water sources. “They will leave this area as late as possible and come back as soon as they can,” Richard explains. “This means that every year is different. In fact, every week can be different.”
Typically, the first animals start setting out in April. Over the following months, they’ll navigate countless obstacles, from predators to river crossings.
Between July and August, the wildebeest move en masse into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, crossing the Mara River in staggering numbers. For travelers, river crossings rank among the most sought-after moments of the Great Migration.
In fall, the Migration starts to work its way south into Tanzania, so there will be plenty of wildlife spotting in popular safari destinations like Kenya’s southern Maasai Mara and in northern Tanzania.
Best Places to Witness the Great Migration
If you are looking to experience one of nature’s most incredible events, the Great Migration safari is a must. Some of the best places to watch the wildebeest migration include Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Both parks are famous for their role in the migration and offer amazing opportunities for tourists.
The Serengeti is where the migration begins, and the Maasai Mara is where the animals cross into Kenya. You can also choose from different safari lodges and camps that are located near the migration routes, so you are sure to get the best experience.
The river crossings are one of the most dramatic moments in the Great Migration. To get the best view, consider taking a boat safari or viewing from a nearby ridge. The Mara River is the site of some of the most famous crossings, so arriving early in the morning will give you a better chance of witnessing the action.
Tips for Viewing the River Crossings
“The wildebeest are easily spooked by real or imagined threats. They fear crossing the river, as they have an inkling that something lurks there,” Richard describes. “Patiently waiting near a herd may only produce a puff of dust as they turn on their heels and run away. Or maybe the herd is not ready to cross the river and they are milling around contentedly. But if everything is right, then there is utter and extraordinary chaos as the herd struggles to get to the other side of a major river filled with crocodiles.”
If the cacophony of anxious wildebeest making a perilous river crossing tops your safari bucket list, plan your Great Migration trip for summer. However, it is important to acknowledge July, August and September represent peak travel season. In order to secure your preferred lodgings and operator, you will want to book 12 to 18 months out.
Additional Facts
- Wildebeests travel up to 1,000 miles each year during the Great Migration.
- Yes, animals do return along the same route each year.
- Yes, the migration can be dangerous. Animals face many challenges, including predators like lions, crocodiles, and hyenas.
Quick Comparison Table - Serengeti vs. Masai Mara
| Feature | Serengeti National Park | Masai Mara National Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Tanzania | Kenya |
| Role in Migration | Starting Point | River Crossing Point |
| Best Time to Visit | February (Calving Season) | July-September (River Crossings) |
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
