5 Facts About the Wildebeest

1. Wildebeests are commonly known as Gnus.
2. The Wildebeests exist in two species, and these are the Blue Wildebeests of Southern and East Africa and the endangered Black Wildebeests which are only in South Africa
3. Their newborn calves can walk as soon as they are born, and they can join in the great Wildebeest migration a few days after being born.
4. The male and female Wildebeests both have horns although a mature male has larger and thicker ones.
5. Wildebeests live to a life span of about 20 years in the wild

The Great Migration in East Africa – Routes, Calving, and River Crossings

As the Wildebeest herds, Zebras, and Antelopes move together during the Great Migration safari, they follow specific routes from the South in Tanzania following Northern Tanzania as they participate in the Grumeti River and the Mara River crossings to enter Masai Mara Reserve.

Below, we shall discuss more about the seasons of the great migration, the migration route, and dramatic river crossings in the different months of the year so you can plan for an epic journey.

Where Does the Great Migration begin From?

The great migration has no specific beginning destination since it is a continuous cycle that occurs all year round. The wild animals just follow the annual rains to find fresh grazing ground and water.

The Wildebeest herds cross from the Masai Mara plains of Kenya to the Serengeti of Tanzania until the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before returning for the same clockwise cycle.

Also, no matter the destination where you decide to watch the Wildebeest migration, you can participate in different activities for example the hot air balloon, game drives, or the walking safaris either in Serengeti or Maasai Mara National Reserve.

What Month is the Great Migration in Africa? | What Month is the Wildebeest Migration?

The great migration in Africa is an event that occurs all year round as it is an ever-continuing occurrence between the two protected areas in Tanzania and Kenya. However, the high season of this event occurs between June to October, thus, considered to be the ole season for this great wildebeest migration.

A Month-by-Month Breakdown of the Great Migration

Different seasons according to the months provide different experiences to expect watching during the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Below, we discuss a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect during the great Wildebeest migration.

January to March, the Calving Time at Serengeti National Park

This dry season is the calving season in which the Wildebeests are still in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. More than 8,000 Wildebeest babies are born every day although some unlucky ones fall into the fearsome hands of hungry predators like Lions, Leopards, Giant Nile Crocodiles, Cheetahs, Wild Dogs, and Hyenas, among others.

However, newborn calves can walk immediately after they are born, and in a few days, they can participate in the great migration.

April to May, Western Serengeti National Park

This is the short rainy season in which the animals move in the Northwestern corridor toward Moru and Simba Kopjes. As they head North, there is also a mating season in which the males compete to mate with females that are willing.

From the Western Corridor/Western Serengeti, the Wildebeest herds move to Central Serengeti and the Serengeti migration is a bit faster since the calves are stronger.

June to July, Crossing Grumeti River, and Mara River into Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

This is the dry season in which from Central Serengeti, these Wildebeest get to the toughest at of their journey which is the Grumeti River and the Mara River Crossings which are full have many predator Giant Nile Crocodiles.

August September and October

In August, the Mara River crossings are considered the best time to experience this dramatic river from Northern Serengeti to Masai Mara as it is also towards the end of the dry season.

September is when the Wildebeest herds divide into smaller groups as they move out of the crocodile-infested river to enter Masai Mara National Reserve.

October thus comes with the best experiences in Masai Mara and visiting it will also allow you to experience the great authentic Masai cultures and people.

November to December – Short Rainy Season

In early November, the short rains begin, and wild animals begin to leave Masai Mara to go back to the rejuvenated vegetation of the Serengeti ecosystem. On their way from Masai Mara again split into smaller Wildebeest herds around Northeastern Serengeti as the migrating animal species continue moving southwards.

In December, the Wildebeest herds are back in the south at Serengeti after the dramatic river crossings of the Crocodile-infested River during the great migration.

Can the Migration River Crossings be Predicted?

The wildebeest migration cannot easily be predicted because the wild animals move according to the availability of vegetation to graze. However, as discussed above, there are some seasons where you can expect the migrating animal species to be in a certain place and position in a specific month.

When is the Best Time to go on a Migration Safari?

Looking at the events that occur in different seasons and timing, the best time to go for the great migration safari will be dictated primarily by the experiences that you would like to watch. Generally, the dry season provides more comfortable and clear views of the Mara and Serengeti plains.

February to March is the best time to watch the calving season in Southern Serengeti, April to May is the breeding season around the Western corridor and Central Serengeti, May to June is when you will witness the Grumeti River crossings in Central Serengeti, July to August is for the incredible Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti to Masai Mara and November to January finds the Wildebeest herds on the move at Masai Mara Game Reserve, Northern Serengeti that also spans the Ngorongoro Crater and Southern Serengeti.

Best Country for Observing the Great Wildebeest Migration | Where is the Best Place to See the Wildebeest Migration? | Where is the Best Place to See the Migration in Africa? | Where is the Best Safari to See the Great Migration?

Both Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara offer great experiences during the great Wildebeest migration in Africa.

Serengeti National Park will provide you with a chance to watch the beautiful open and extensive Serengeti endless plains as you also experience the calving season from February to March. The Serengeti will also allow you to explore the Ngorongoro Crater found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and other game parks.

Apart from the mega herds of Wildebeests, Masai Mara National Reserve also has a diversity of wildlife for you to watch alongside the Wildebeest migration safari.

However, planning for a trip to one of the countries at one point will give you unique experiences to encounter and behold.

Additional Information About the Great Migration in Africa

Some researchers agree that the Wildebeests move through different destinations, surviving predators through “swarm intelligence”. It is a situation where they make decisions together thus protecting them from predators, especially in the crocodile-infested rivers.

Zebras and some Antelopes will move together with the Wildebeest herds as they feed in different parts of the grass from the tallest to the short grass plains. There is therefore enough grass for the mega herds to feed on, especially in the wet season that brings the tallest grass.

Guide on Serengeti Park

Serengeti National Park is the most famous place for watching the Great Wildebeest migration so travelers to this destination ought to be prepared for their experience. Below, we look at a recommended guide for your Serengeti migration tour.

East Africa Safari Booking Trip Idea for Serengeti in Northern Tanzania

Serengeti NP is one of the many best destinations to experience an East African safari, therefore, we recommend that you combine this incredible safari with other destinations and game parks in the country. For example, Ngorongoro Crater, Nyerere National Park, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Zanzibar, among others.

Alternatively, you may visit other neighboring African destinations for example Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Where are the Best Places to Stay on a Migration Safari? | Where to Stay in Serengeti

There are two categories of the best places to stay during your trip on a migration safari and these include the mobile camps and permanent lodges. Services and facilities for the mobile camps and permanent lodges are different depending on the category of accommodation (budget, midrange, and luxury).

Below are the different places to stay during your Serengeti Great migration in Africa

1. Buffalo Luxury Camp
2. Lake Masek Tented Camp
3. Kati Kati Camp
4. Singita Mara River Tented Camp
5. Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp, etc

In case you are using mobile camps, your service providers will help in moving the accommodation facilities to the next waiting spot for the Wildebeest migration.

Best Accommodation at Masai Mara Reserve

For visitors opting for Masai Mara Reserve, there are incredible places to stay during the trip as seen below.

1. Karen Blixen Camp
2. MMara Intrepids Tented Camp
3. Sarova Mara Game Camp
4. Mara Maisha Camp
5. Mara Olapa Camp

However, your responsible tour operator can help organize for you the best accommodation according to your taste and safari budget.

Tips for the Best African Wilderbeast Migration Safaris in Africa

1. You may need to spend a long time during the day waiting as the mega herds participate in river crossing. Great chances of viewing the event occur during a harsh sunny day therefore it is important to be prepared for it.
2. It is best to plan for this great migration at least one year before your scheduled trip because it is a famous activity that attracts various tourists. Planning will include booking your accommodation early enough.
3. In case you plan this epic journey with children, consider hiring babysitting services and booking fenced accommodation for protection.
4. Plan for your time appropriately because the event is easily predictable. The time and season you choose should be in line with the experiences that you would like to have.
5. You may either watch the Great Migration in Africa by staying in a specific camp and waiting for the Wildebeest herds to come or by following while staying in semi-mobile tents.
6. Pack necessary and important items for example travel documents, long sleeve clothes and trousers, insect repellent, sunscreen, and comfortable sturdy shoes, among others.
7. Explore more than just the Wildebeest Migration safari. This does not have to come with extra expenditure but great planning. Staying near the areas where wildebeests pass may limit you to only viewing the Wildebeest migration safari. However, you may book accommodation away from the Wildebeest migration areas so you may enjoy the sight of other animals. Alternatively, you may combine your trip with other experiences in neighboring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Great Migration in Africa?

The Great Migration is an event in which over 1.2 million wildebeests, Zebras, and Antelopes migrate through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystems that span Tanzania and Kenya.

This epic journey through Serengeti and Maasai Mara National Reserve however involves various threats from predators like Lions, Leopards, and Wild dog, among others that take advantage of the weak and newborn calves.

Do Wildebeests Migrate?

It is phenomenal for Wildebeests to migrate all year round in East Africa as over 1.5 million Wildebeests cross the Grumeti River and Mara River. They do river crossing of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers as they follow the annual rains to look for greener pastures.

Watching these animals start crossing these crocodile-infested rivers is a sight that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Where do Wildebeests Migrate in Africa? | Our Favorite Places to See the Great Migration

The Wildebeests in Africa migrate in East Africa between the Serengeti NP in Tanzania and Masai Mara Game Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Why do these Wildebeests Migrate?

It is not certain as to why these Wildebeests migrate, but it is generally believed that they follow the annual rains/rainfall patterns to look for greener pastures and water on fresh grazing grounds.

The Wildebeest begin to sense the rainfall patterns and then start traveling through either Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya or Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Is the Wildebeest Migration Worth it?

The Great Migration in Africa is one of the most celebrated tour events of the whole world, thus worth having for your trip. Watching this event allows you to experience one of the 7 natural wonders of the world in the most endless plains on earth.

Best Africa Religious Tour Operators to Organize Your Wildebeest Migration Safari

1. Prime Safaris & Tours Ltd
2. Wild Gorilla Safaris
3. Tanzania Safaris & Tours
4. Africa Safaris Tours
5. Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
6. Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
7. Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
8. A Uganda Safari
9. Safari Uganda Safaris
10. Gorilla Safaris & Tours
11. Gorilla Safari Rwanda
12. Tanzania Safaris & Tours
13. Kenya Safaris & Tours

Ready to Start Planning Your Migration Safari?

Get to discover one of the natural wonders of the world in East Africa Tanzania or Kenya to watch these magnificent animals. Depending on the experiences that you would like to watch at the Great Wildebeest Migration, we shall help organize for you the African safari of a lifetime.

Contact us today to start planning your trip to the Mara and Serengeti plains!