The Great Migration in East Africa is the largest land mammal movement on earth, consisting of over 1.5 million wildebeests, 250,000 Burchell’s zebras, and hundreds of thousands of antelopes including Thomson’s gazelles, Grant’s gazelles, Elands, and Topi. It is a continuous year-round journey spanning 1,200 mile loop across Tanzania’s Serengeti national park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara national park. This migration is driven by seasonal rainfall patterns. The herds move to find fresh water and grazing pasture.
Tracking Great migration month by month
Rainfall majorly influences the migration and the herds generally follow their ancient migration path as follows:-
December – March: Calving Season Southern Serengeti, Tanzania
Between December to March, the herds gather in the nutrient-rich short grass volcanic plains of southern Serengeti. The calcium and potassium mineral salts provide vital nutrition for mothers. Serengeti Calving Season peaks in February when wildebeests give birth to about 500,000 calves in a span of 2 to 3 weeks time of which an estimated 8,000 are born daily. The safari advantage this offers is incredible open savannah game viewing experience given that the short grass plains at times make it challenging for predators to hide.
April – May: Western Movement, Central & Western Serengeti, Tanzania
When the southern plains begin to dry up, and the long rains sweep across Tanzania, the herds begin moving northwestward grazing hungrily through the Central and Western Corridors of Serengeti National Park.
June – July: Grumeti River Crossing, Western Corridor, Tanzania
The mega herds reach the Western Corridor by June. They approach the Grumeti River at a time when the river has shrunk from a continuous flowing stream into a series of disconnected, shallow pools due to the dry season. The high density of Grumeti river crocodiles serves as the first major obstacle of the migration before continuing towards the Kenya border.
August- September: Dramatic Mara River Crossing
Mara river crossings take place both in Northern Serengeti national park and in Maasai Mara National Reserve. Those intending to witness wildebeest river crossings must decide whether to go to Tanzania or Kenya or combine both. Given that the herds cross the Mara river twice when in Serengeti before crossing to Kenya. Being perennial, the Mara river is fast flowing with strong currents which makes for the most spectacular crossings. In addition to the Mara river, another crossing spectacle takes place at the Talek river entirely within Maasai Mara. Crocodiles lurk in both rivers, creating the second major obstacle of the migration. Choosing where to stay for the migration safari entails looking at the different accommodation styles which include luxury mobile tented camps, semi-permanent tented camps and permanent safari lodges.
October – November: The Return Journey, Maasai Mara to Serengeti
The grasslands of Maasai Mara dry out by early October and the herds sense the short rains starting in Tanzania and rapidly begin their return journey south through the Eastern Serengeti, completing the 1,200 mile loop just in time for the calving season to start again.
A Perilous Journey: Survival & Predator Dynamics
Wildebeests face constant ambush from both land and water predators and the archives shows that over 25,000 wildebeests and 30,000 zebras perish during the cycle. The majority of the casualties are the young calves and sick or injured ones. The most dangerous areas are the steep and slippery riverbanks. Mother wildebeests are forced to abandon their calves in the haste to climb cliffs and dodge crocodiles, lions or hyenas lurking on the banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to see the migration in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both destinations offer spectacular migration viewing opportunities depeding on the month. Those intending to see the calving season (Jan-March) must book a safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti national park. To see the Mara river crossings (August- September), the border areas of Kenya’s Maasai Mara national reserve and Northern Serengeti offer prime viewing opportunities.
How far in advance should I book a migration safari?
It is highly recommended to book at least 1 year ahead of time for peak seasons.
Can I combine countries to see the migration?
Yes you can fly between Nairobi Kenya and Arusha Tanzania to experience a cross-border migration. Great migration safaris are available for booking through a reputable tour operator.