"Wbeest Mara" by T. R. Shankar Raman - Own photograph. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Great Migration

The Great East African Wildebeest Migration!

The annual migration of giant herds of wildlife across northern Tanzania and Kenya is a truly spectacular event. Over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of green pasture, in a regular pattern since time began. The Great Wildebeest Migration is surely one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.

The key events in the wildebeest migration are the crossings of the Mara River which happen between July and October in the Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara and the calving that happens in late January and February on the Southern Plains of the Serengeti.

By December, the herds have started to make their way back down south to the southern Serengeti to feed on the short green grasses of the plains. By late January and early February, perhaps the greatest spectacle of the Serengeti takes place with the wildebeest calving season. Approximately 8,000 young wildebeest are born every single day during the peak of the season. There truly is nothing that compares to seeing a baby wildebeest take off running just minutes after being born.

What's important is knowing where to go and what to expect at each time of year. This is not easy as nature does what nature does on her own terms. You will see thousands of Wildebeest during the migration time frame. The only thing no one can guarantee is if you will be able to see them crossing one of the rivers.

Luckily they all do not cross at the same time! They go back and forth so you are bound to see some crossing during the ritualistic peak times!