The Ultimate Guide to The Great Wildebeest Migration
THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a global phenomenon that takes place in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (with a connection into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area). This mega movement is often regarded as one of the wonders of the world.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is driven by water and pasture; therefore the herds tend to follow the rainfall patterns. Over one million wildebeests move in a cyclic journey covering over 1,750 miles.
The sequence of The Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration takes place all year round. Each month of the year, the great wildebeest herds are doing something and the journey goes on from January to December.
The schedule below shows where the great wildebeest herds are and what activity they are doing across all months:
December to March: The Calving Season
The wildebeests are usually calving in the Southern Serengeti short-grass plains, known as Ndutu Plains. These plains are located in the region where Serengeti National Park meets the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Ndutu Plains are rich with volcanic ash making the pasture here very nutritious. This is good food for the young calves and also helps the mothers produce richer milk.
This area has a shallow and hard layer of calcium carbonate (deposited by the nearby volcanoes) that prevents big trees from taking root here. This thus provides a conducive environment for grass to grow. But this area receives less rainfall, since the nearby volcanoes block this area from prevailing moisture-bearing winds, so the the Great Wildebeest Migration has to move on soon.
It is estimated 500,000 calves are born during this time (spanning about three to four weeks; often peaking in February). This provides a huge bounty for predators who congregate here to prey on these weak calves.
April:
The wildebeest herds are moving through the Central Serengeti savannah. This is mainly a feeding season, as they trim the grassy pasture.
May and June: The mating or rut season
The wildebeest adults mate during this period, with a physical rut led by eager males. This time is mainly spent around the Western Corridor of the mighty Serengeti National Park.
The herds also visit the Grumeti River area, where some crossings occur. This is a shallow river, where crossings are often easy and less dangerous.
July to October: The big river crossings
This takes place in the Northern part of the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem. The river crossings are most-famous around the mighty Mara River. This is a large and deep river channel that hosts many animals, including predatory Nile Crocodiles.
The river crossings here are full of dangers, both from water carnivores and land predators who hunt along the river banks.
The North receives more rainfall and thus provides water sources during the dry season. However, the soils here are sandier and thus the grass is not very nutritious. Therefore, the large herds cannot stay here too long either.
November:
Soon, the herds have to start moving South again. This time they are also heading for the short-grass plains around Ndutu to give birth.
The Great Wildebeest Migration Colleagues
The Great Wildebeest Migration has been made famous by the Common Wildebeest (the Western White-bearded Wildebeest taxa i.e. Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi).
But the wildebeests do not travel alone. They are joined by other herbivores who cover either the whole journey or part of it:-
- Common/ Plains Zebra – estimated population at 200,000
- Common Eland – estimated population at 15,000
- Thomson’s Gazelle – estimated population at 300,000
We are always happy to discuss your travel plans with you. Please contact our safari planning team today to discuss your next Great Wildebeest Migration Safari. We shall help you enjoy the Great Wildebeest Migration Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania.