The Great Wildebeest Migration in Africa takes places in Serengeti National Park Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya. The movement of about 2 million animals including 1.2 million wildebeests along with hundreds of thousands of zebras, gazelles is triggered by rainfall patterns across the Serengeti ecosystem. The animals follow the same old circular route in search of water and green pastures. Although the migration happens all year, it’s vital to travel during the right season. This is especially if you want to see particular events such as the crossing of Mara and Grumeti Rivers where dramatic scenes take place when crocodiles attack the animals. Wildebeests also give birth a season called calving in southern Serengeti plains between December to February. Predators are attracted by the abundance of easy prey which offers opportunities to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas as well as the big Five mammals.
When planning where to see the great migration in Africa, the first thing to know is the timing of the events. Then you can go ahead and book your migration safari by looking at several experiences to do such as private safari, mobile camping or hot air ballooning.
Where to see the great migration in Africa
Serengeti National Park
Wildebeest migration safari in Serengeti happens in different areas of the park. To start with, the southern Serengeti plains is where the calving season takes place. This the period when the animals give birth to almost 8000 calves every single between December to February and March when the calves have grown stronger. This part of Serengeti is rather off-the-beaten path when compared to Seronera central area and seeing the scattering wildebeests can be achieved by mobile camping safari which follows the migration wherever they go such as Ndutu plains towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Due to large number of young calves, the big cats tend to loom around for easy prey which offers chance to see them.
Seronera Valley and the Central Serengeti
Beginning of April to May and June, the wildebeest move further northwest towards the Seronera valley central Serengeti safari area which contains the park’s visitor center. This is the best place to see and feel the Serengeti plains landscape that has meant so much to the imagination. Lions, cheetahs tend to rest on the Moru rock kopjes while leopards climb fewer acacia trees that the chance to see them is high. There are black rhinos too in central Serengeti especially along the Seronera river further to the west. April and May fall in the low season which offers opportunity to avoid the crowds and still experience spectacular wildlife viewing with selected mobile camps and safari lodges.
Western Grumeti Game Reserve
The herds move further to western Serengeti corridor including the private Grumeti Game Reserve where the mating season occurs. To keep in mind, there are always several groups rather than a single huge migration. In particular, wildebeests are seen grazing along with zebras, topi and gazelles since they will be relaxing to gain energy for crossing the crocodile infested Grumeti River. By June and early July, the wildebeests will have crossed the river since it’s not large but are preparing for the most challenging Mara River section within Serengeti before they cross over into the Masai Mara Kenya.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Famous for harboring the largest number of big cats, Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve offers the opportunity to see the wildebeest crossing of Mara River. This death and life event occurs in late July to August and it’s the most spectacular along the migration route. Perhaps Mara River has a higher concentration of crocodiles and large banks and volume of water than Grumeti making it more challenging for wildebeests to cross. This phenomenon attracts high tourist traffic and overcrowding of vehicles at view-points is inevitable. Though you can book exclusive accommodation which is strategically positioned at crossing points including the less known Talek River thereby giving you excellent migration experience.
The Mara River crossings tend to end by August all animals have reached the Mara Triangle and northern section of the park. This when you see the survivors nursing wounds and still being preyed on by predators. The migration will remain in Masai Mara until October when they start to move towards eastern Serengeti leaving Kenya behind. Masai Mara National Reserve contains several private and community conservancies which offer opportunity to get out of the vehicle and go for walking safaris and Masai village walks. The mobile camping safaris provide opportunity to follow the second crossing of Mara River and the cycle goes on and on!
Now that you know where to see the great migration in Africa, its time to plan your Kenya or Tanzania safari with the help of our expertise at Bigodi Africa Expeditions Uganda. contact us to get tailor -made migration safari featuring gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
