Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Overview
Serengeti wildebeest migration is a mass movement of wildebeest, zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, eland, and impala through the Serengeti plains. Every year, over a million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope move clockwise around the Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem. Making it one of the world’s most spectacular natural events. Tanzania (Serengeti National Park) and Masai Mara in Kenya. The movement is annual and reasonably stable since it is entirely based on annual rainfall patterns.
Wildebeest Migration River Crossing – North Serengeti
Wildebeest and zebras find it most difficult and dangerous to cross the river (July to August) because of the presence of hungry crocodiles and a fast-flowing river. Predators and prey are in a life-or-death struggle, and this dramatic crossing occurs frequently when herds cross the Mara River. In October, the migration returns south, traveling through Loliondo and the Lobo region on its way to the Southern Serengeti, where the cycle begins again.
Wildebeest Calving Season – Southern Serengeti
Once a year, this is when the great wildebeest migration begins. Over two million migratory animals, including wildebeest, zebra, eland, and Thompson gazelle, migrate clockwise from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania to the Northern Serengeti in Kenya and back. This migration path occurs because they follow the rains and, as a result, the new grasses emerge quickly.
Ndutu region is known for its short grass plains, which produce grass that is especially high in nutrients and sustains migratory animals while they give birth. During the green season, you can see herds of wildebeest and zebra. On these plains, half a million calves are born between late January and March. You can see a lot of predators during these months, who are more interesting in the herds and their calves.
Wildebeest Migration at Seronera Area – Central Serengeti
The herds begin their journey north, passing through Moro Kopjes and the Central Serengeti in search of fresh water and grazing land. The Central Serengeti region is extremely crowded in May, with a large number of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles to be seen. It’s mating season in May and June, and wildebeest are migrating west of Seronera towards Lake Victoria. You can see a lot of males battling each other in Seronera because they are competing for females.
Why Do Wildebeest Migrations Occur?
Wildebeests migrate as a reaction to the weather, with the express purpose of following the rainfall. From December through March, they always begin their calving cycle in the Southern Serengeti area of Ndutu and follow wherever the grass is greener as well as birthing, courting, and mating