WHEN CAN YOU SEE THE GREAT MIGRATION?
A common false perception is that the migration occurs at a specific time each year. In fact, the dynamic movement of herds of wildebeests, zebras, and other antelope occurs throughout the year. Their movement is driven by access to water and green pastures. Incredible predator-prey dynamics and risky river crossings take center stage as they make their way.
The path of the migration depends on seasonal showers that bring fresh green grass to the plains of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. This movement is getting more and more difficult to predict with changing weather patterns, but below is a rough guideline to help you understand this incredible spectacle!
JANUARY TO APRIL - SOUTHERN SERENGETI
Each year begins with the wildebeest calving and raising their young in the rich grass plains of Ndutu in southeastern Serengeti. The majority of the wildebeest will give birth to their young in the vast plains over a two week period at the end of January to early February. By April, the wildebeest have depleted the nutritious grass and must move on with their young.
APRIL TO JUNE - CENTRAL AND WESTERN SERENGETI
As the wildebeest depart the Southern Serengeti for greener grazing, they make their way into the Central Serengeti and the Western Serengeti. With limited fresh grazing and water they are drawn further north to border of Tanzania and Kenya. During this time of year the herds splinter and split up, with some moving through the Western Corridor, and others passing through the Central Serengeti and up through the Eastern Lobo region.
JULY TO OCTOBER - NORTHERN SERENGETI AND MAASAI MARA
Depending on the year’s rains, they continue north, arriving on the Mara River’s banks between mid-July and early August. Local intermittent showers cause the herds to move between Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the Northern Serengeti. During this time, they can cross the river multiple times as they follow localized rains.
NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER
By November, reproductive instincts prevail and the herds begin their journey south to return to their calving grounds in the Southeastern Serengeti by the start of the new year. Just like from April to June the herds tend to split and splinter into smaller groups as they move south, only to come back together in dramatic numbers towards the end of December on the vast southern plains.
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