Easy Guide to Africa’s Wildebeest Migration
Everyone’s heard of it and everyone wants to see it but here’s the thing: although the wildebeest migration is one of nature’s biggest, noisiest and most visually striking animal migrations, it is not necessarily easy to actually witness. The migration is strictly seasonal, moving across two countries, and the most exciting events within it – the calving season and the river crossings – are often booked out long in advance.
You won’t be the only one interested in the wildebeest migration: it is a predator’s heaven.
So here’s the insider information on the what, where and when of Africa’s great wildebeest migration – designed to put you in the right place at the right time.
WHAT IS THE MIGRATION?
The wildebeest migration is a seasonally driven movement of up to two million wildebeest, zebra and other antelope. Dictated by the rains and fresh grazing, the herds migrate some 3000 kilometres (1900 miles) in a clockwise fashion, mating and giving birth on the move while all the time subject to danger, whether from big cats on the savannah or crocodiles during the infamous river crossings.
The migration delivers some of Africa’s most heart-stopping safari moments.
WHERE IS THE MIGRATION?
The migration is an East African phenomenon, taking place across the Masai Mara in Kenya and, to its south, the Serengeti in Tanzania. Most visitors choose to stay in one country for the migration but it is possible to combine both destinations. Remember that the migration attracts large numbers of safari visitors and so it is often a good idea to also travel other areas of the Masai Mara and Serengeti during the migration: now you’ll have excellent game viewing but without the large numbers of vehicles.
Thousands of animals are replaced by thousands of stars as the clear, cool night falls.
You’ll also have a choice of staying at lodges within the national, state-run reserves, or at lodges located in private reserves – called concessions. Accommodation in private concessions tends to be more expensive, but you are also paying for exclusivity, and these lodges are set in especially wildlife-rich areas and are productive year-round.
Another option is to stay at a mobile camp, a lightweight (but still very comfortable) tented camp that moves with the migration and therefore puts itself at the heart of the experience.
WHEN IS THE MIGRATION?
Think of the migration as a constant year-long process, subject to the vagaries of weather, but essentially following the same seasonal pattern.
January: The wildebeest herds are in the central and southern Serengeti, having been drawn to the area by recent rains. The animals are dispersed over a wide area but begin to gather for the dramatic event about to unfold.
February & March: One of the most exciting periods of the migration, the calving season is when up to 8 000 wobbly-legged wildebeest are born every day – easy pickings for the southern Serengeti’s big cats, hyenas and jackals. It’s often a dramatic time, recommended for predator/prey interaction.
Choose your visit to coincide with key times of the migration such as the birthing season.
April: The herds move out of the southern Serengeti, heading north and west with their movements punctuated by the sound of clashing horns as the wildebeest rutting season reaches its zenith.
May & June: The wildebeest calves are stronger, faster and there’s the promise of fresh grass. Moving quickly, great columns of wildebeest and zebra stream into the central Serengeti and, by June, they start to arrive on the banks of the Grumeti River.
July & August: The migration now has to cross several rivers in order to reach the Masai Mara: the river crossing season begins. Many safari visitors have been waiting all year for this and so have the enormous Nile crocodiles, lurking in the muddy waters. The exact crossing events are hard to predict, but these two months usually offer heart-stopping wildlife watching.
You’ll need to book early to get front row seats at the infamous ‘river crossings’.
September & October: Most of the animals are in the Masai Mara, kick-starting the predator/prey interactions on this side of the river. The Masai Mara is a relatively small reserve and popular at this time; you may find value in booking a private conservancy where you enjoy sole traversing rights and more intimate accommodation.
November & December: A short rainy season pulls the wildebeest southwards once more, out of the Masai Mara and back into northern and eastern Serengeti where they find fresh grazing as well as a new set of waiting predators.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK?
If you want to see the calving season or the river crossings, then at least a year in advance; for the migration at any other time of year, six months should be enough but don’t take any chances – this is an event that is extremely popular as it offers grandstand views of one of nature’s last big mammal migrations.
