The Great Wildebeest Migration
Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Spectacle
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most iconic and awe-inspiring natural events on the planet. Often described as “the greatest show on Earth,” this year-round journey sees over 1.2 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras, gazelles, and antelopes, travel across the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in a continuous, circular quest for water and fresh grazing lands.
What Is the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is the largest terrestrial animal migration on Earth. This massive movement is guided by instinct and driven by survival, as herds travel over 800 to 1,000 kilometers annually through Tanzania’s Serengeti and into Kenya’s Masai Mara before returning south again.
This natural phenomenon is not a single event, but a cycle of life, death, birth, and renewal — shaped by rainfall patterns and the availability of pasture. From dramatic river crossings filled with danger to mass calving on open plains, each stage offers a different yet equally mesmerizing spectacle.
Why Do Wildebeest Migrate?
Wildebeest migrate in response to the changing availability of water and grazing. During the wet season, the southern Serengeti plains flourish with highly nutritious grasses, making it the perfect environment for calving and nurturing young. As the dry season sets in and resources dwindle, the herds are compelled to move west and then north in search of greener pastures — ultimately crossing into the Masai Mara. The annual rains trigger their return to the lush southern plains, and the cycle begins anew.
Serengeti great Migration Packages
Month-by-Month Journey Through the Migration
Understanding the annual movements is key to planning your Extra Passion Safaris adventure. While nature dictates the exact timing, here's a general breakdown:
1. January – March: Calving Season in the Southern Serengeti
Around January, the migration completes its southward trek, settling along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, the plains are rich in nutritious short grass, providing ideal conditions for raising newborn calves.
Considered by many to be the true "start" of the migration, around late January or February, up to 400,000 calves are born within a period of just two to three weeks – an astounding nearly 8,000 new calves every day! This abundance of vulnerable young creates intense drama, as surrounding predators, including lions and hyenas, spring into action, providing unparalleled viewing opportunities for those interested in witnessing calving and the raw action of big cats on the hunt.
2. April – May: Moving Towards the Central and Western Serengeti
After the calving season, around April, the wildebeest herds begin their drift northwest, drawn by the promise of fresher grass in the central Serengeti. Thousands of zebra and smaller groups of antelope join them. By May, columns of wildebeest can stretch for several kilometers as the animals start to congregate near the Moru Kopjes. Mating season, or 'the rut,' begins toward the end of May, with male wildebeest engaging in head-to-head battles for dominance. Throughout this period, the journey continues at a more leisurely pace, with constant grazing.
As May progresses, the movement gathers momentum, and the wildebeest begin to mass in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. Here, they face their first major obstacle: the Grumeti River. The herds form in huge numbers along the pools and channels, preparing to cross. While perhaps not as famed as the Mara crossings, the Grumeti still provides a formidable challenge, and the area's crocodiles eagerly await their share of the feast.
3. June – July: Grumeti Crossings & March to the North
June marks the start of the dry season, with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River. Each migrating animal must brave the crocodile-infested waters – a daunting and tense encounter.
As June transitions into July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue their northbound journey along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier: the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. These river crossings are arguably among the most exciting wildlife events on Earth. They typically begin in July, but the exact timing is purely dictated by nature and rainfall.
Those animals that successfully make it across the Mara River in late July can also be found spreading into Kenya's Masai Mara. At this time, daily river crossings can be witnessed at both the Mara and Talek rivers, often central to incredible and dramatic scenes.
4. August – October: The Masai Mara Drama
By August, the herds have confronted the challenge of the Mara River and are spread throughout the Masai Mara’s northern region, with many individuals still remaining in the northern Serengeti. In years of high water flow, the panic and confusion at the crossings, combined with lurking predators and surging currents, can lead to significant loss of life. Even in years of gentler currents, crocodiles take their toll, and lions and other large predators patrol the banks, ready to ambush any wildebeest reaching the other side. There isn't a single crossing point; instead, there are numerous spots where anywhere from a few individuals to masses of animals move continuously for hours.
By September and October, the main chaos of the great river crossings has typically subsided, and the migrating columns gradually move eastward. However, the wildebeest will face the Mara River one more time as they prepare to cross back for their return journey southward.
5. November – December: Return to the South
Following the East African short rains in late October and early November, the wildebeest begin their move down from Kenya and into the eastern limits of the Serengeti, often passing areas known for outstanding cheetah sightings. By December, they are widely spread throughout the eastern and southern reaches of the Serengeti.
In the early months of the new year, the grasses in the deep south of the Serengeti become lush and green with rain. This draws the immense herds of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and other plains animals back to their calving grounds, and the cycle of the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration begins anew.
A Circle of Life on the Move
Each phase of the Great Migration highlights different aspects of the African wilderness:
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Calving and predation in the south,
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Mating and movement in the central and western areas,
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High-stakes river crossings in the north, and
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The return to fertile plains that signal new beginnings.
It is a clockwise journey dictated by rainfall, grass quality, and ancient instinct — a breathtaking dance of life and death unlike any other on Earth.
Witnessing the Great Migration
Whether you’re a photographer, nature enthusiast, or safari dreamer, witnessing the Great Migration is a bucket-list experience. Timing is key — each season offers unique opportunities for unforgettable encounters. From February calving safaris in the Serengeti to August’s Mara River crossings, the migration never ceases to amaze.
"The Great Migration Safari with Extra Passion Safaris was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Watching thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River was breathtaking. Our guide was knowledgeable, the game drives were private and comfortable, and the luxury tented camps gave us front-row seats to the action. Every moment was unforgettable!"
Frequently Asked Questions About Fly-In Safari
