The Great Wildebeest Migration
OVERVIEW
One of the most amazing natural phenomena on the planet, the Great Wildebeest Migration is an annual, dynamic, and breathtaking trek over the plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and gazelles travel across the wide savannah in search of new grazing and water during this historic migration. Dramatic river crossings, close encounters with predators, and the birth of new generations all characterize the migration as a never-ending cycle of life and death. Experiencing this natural wonder provides an unmatched window into the unadulterated beauty and intricacy of the African bush.
THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
Seasonal rainfall and pasture resources drive the movement in a fairly round pattern. The trip starts in the southern Serengeti, where January through March is when wildebeest calve. Approximately 500,000 calves are born during this time, drawing lions, cheetahs, and hyenas among other predators, resulting in exciting and intense interactions with the wildlife.
The herds travel through the Serengeti towards the north as the dry season draws near, arriving at the Grumeti River in May or July. During this stage, the herds’ strength is put to the strain at dangerous river crossings where crocodiles are waiting to pounce.
From July to October, the herds continue their trek into the Maasai Mara, where they come across the Mara River, another difficult barrier. Given the rapid currents and potential predators they must contend with, these crossings rank among the most hazardous and dramatic parts of the migration for the wildebeest.
As the rains refill the southern plains, the herds set out to complete the cycle by traveling back south by November and arriving back at the Serengeti.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is an important biological event that maintains the region’s biodiversity in addition to serving as a monument to the animals’ flexibility and resiliency. For those who love animals, it is a must-see since it provides a deep connection to the cycles of nature.
