When is the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration?
Serengeti is renowned for one of the greatest wonders—the Great Migration. This never-ending movement of wildlife—wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles—starts from the short-grass, southern plains and moves circularly to the north. Animals follow rainfall, hoping to find fresh grass—and they move in large herds totaling about two million. Large groups of predators, such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, join them, waiting for any opportunities.
So, when is the wildebeest migration? The migration is a year-long event: every now and then, animals move, even if it’s a small movement. Actually, there’s no clear start to this wonderful event: birth and death. However, most sources quote the birthing of about half a million calves in the southern Serengeti as the start of this event and the Mara River crossing as the end. To get a clear picture of the Serengeti wildebeest migration, we’ll feature certain events here.
December to March.
For about four to five months, the animals are in the south of the Serengeti. During this time, Serengeti National Park, especially in the southern plains, gets enough rainfall (which actually starts in November), making the plains green again for Tanzania safari enthusiasts to enjoy while on Serengeti tours. Equipped with unusual capabilities to sniff rain miles away, wildebeest leave the northern part for the south. This time, they move quickly.
As January sets in, calving begins. Wildebeest mothers give birth to about 5,000 calves every day, with a maximum of 8,000 newborns on some days. The plains in the south become full of young animals, attracting large predators, such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. Expect to see a lot of skillful hunting techniques. Be it a lion using its strength to take down a wildebeest bull or a hyena taking advantage of a newborn, every scene is unforgettable.
And why does calving happen in the south? There are good reasons for this. To begin with, the southeastern plains of the Serengeti, together with the Ndutu plains, are fertile. That resulted from volcanic eruptions about 2 million years ago. During such eruptions, wind carried the ashes to Ndutu and the southern plains, making them richer in nutrients. As a result, the grass growing over these plains favors faster growth and development of newborns.
Another reason is the rain pattern. Precipitation changes seasonally in Serengeti. From December through March, a large part of the southern Serengeti receives enough rainfall to turn golden plains green. This attracts not only wildebeest and zebras but also other herbivores like buffalo and impalas.
To the bottom of this: if you want to see a lot of newborns, plan your trip between December and March. By the way, there’s a crowd during this time, so you’ll enjoy secluded game drives. Regarding places to stay, the mobile camps have shifted to this location. If you prefer permanent camps, Ndutu Lodge and Sanctuary Kusini are the only options, so book early.
April to June
As April sets in, the weather changes. Rain starts to decline, so does fresh grass. Animals push northwards through the Moru Kopjes to the central. This time, they move long distances compared to previous months. And they move in large herds, sweeping the plains, cutting the tall part of the fresh grass. In May, they may have reached the Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti.
However, there’s something to note. April and May are the wettest months; hence, they experience extremely low traffic. Therefore, you can track the migration while watching other animals, such as the Big Five. By late May, the herds have moved to the Western Corridor, where they face the mighty Grumeti River. Here, they meet their first serious obstacle—Nile crocodiles in the river and lions on the banks. And they have no other option than crossing this ever-flowing river.
Back to our topic, if you want to witness serious fights among the bulls, then April and May are good months. During this time, females enter their rutting season. Therefore, males fight for them. Grumeti River crossings start taking place from late May through June. They aren’t famous, but they’re worth it. You will watch herds braving the river and crocodiles taking their share from the herd. It’s a dramatic scene.
July to October
The migration is at its peak. Starting in July, animals start to cross the Mara River in the north. This scene is sought after by most travelers coming to the Serengeti. Crowds may build up in certain crossing points waiting for a river crossing. The Mara River transects the Serengeti and Masai Mara, suggesting that you can watch river crossings from either the Serengeti or the Masai Mara.
For about four months (July through October), the migration is in the north. If you want to see this wonderful event, head to Kogatende, Lamai Wedge, Wogakuria, etc. Like we said, crowds are common, especially in July and August, when river crossings are spectacular. If you want peace, September and October are great months.
As for places to stay, the northern Serengeti has a few permanent camps, including Nomad Lamai, Sayari Camp, Kenzan Mara Tented Camp, etc. In high season, mobile camps migrate to the north to offer you a front-row seat to the Great Migration. So, there’s no shortage of camps, but prior booking is king, as many camps sell out months in advance.
November
Simply put, November is a transition period. Animals are on their trek back to the south. They move in small herds through the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, Namiri Plains (eastern Serengeti), and Mwiba Wildlife Reserve.
So, the Serengeti wildebeest migration occurs throughout the year, from December to November, and restarts again. Your interests dictate when you should visit to see it. Love seeing the river crossings? June through October is a great time. Do you prefer to watch the wobbly newborns on Tanzania Wildlife Safaris? December through March is great.
