Serengeti Wildebeest Migration 2022-2023 - When, Where, & How to Watch
Introduction
The annual movement of over 2 million wildebeests from the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania to the Masai Mara ecosystem, Kenya is called the Great Wildebeest Migration. It is the largest mass migration on the earth. The herds of animals cover an 800-kilometer trek in search of fresh habitats and are free from predators. This is a clockwise process of a large number of wildebeests, Zebras, and Gazelles. So what should you expect on Serengeti Wildebeest Migration in 2022 - 23?
This migration process is a visual retreat for nature enthusiasts. However, moving into the northern corridor is not easy for wildebeests as the area has the greatest rainfall. But the area is always covered by green grasses. Their journey starts towards Masai Mara in Kenya from the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti near the Ngorongoro conservation area and then comes back.
Why Do Wildebeests Migrate In Serengeti?
Here
the predators give birth to their calves in this short period. After the rain
decreases in the month of May, the animals move their way towards the northern
side, the Masai Mara ecosystem. And when the rain comes back to the Serengeti
the cycle of migration starts again.
How do the Great Migrations Move throughout the Year?
The
Great Wildebeest
Migrations move from year to year
according to the weather, and the availability of grass and water. They move
around the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem. The thunder cloud starts to rain and
it signals the Serengeti wildebeest’s vast movements to start.
A
large number of zebras, Thomson’s gazelle, start the search for sufficient
water and grass. The migration timing of the Serengeti wildebeests completely
depends on the year's rainfall process.
Great Wildebeest Migration during December, January, February, & March:
Finishing
the southward trek, the Serengeti Great
Migrations start their journey towards the eastern edge of the Serengeti in
January each year.
Then
the migrations get into the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area where the plain looks green around for their grazing. And
also provides a better environment for their newborn calves.
The
great migrations move towards the northern parts of the Ngorongoro Crater
Highlands during the end of
January and February. Here they enjoy the nutritious grass and give birth to
their calves.
The
moving process is going throughout the year, with no particular beginning and
end. Only it ends with the death of wildebeests as the moving process is very dangerous.
Great Wildebeest Migration during April & May:
The
great wildebeests start their journey to the northwest towards the grass plains
of the central Serengeti. They start to move along with thousands of zebras,
and gazelles in April.
Around
May, the wildebeests occupy the Moru Kopjes, close to Dunia Camp. This camp
allows tourists to witness the Great Serengeti Migration this year.
By
the end of May, the wildebeests’ movement continued towards the western
corridor of Serengeti. At this particular time of the year, the Ubuntu
Migration Camp allows you to watch the Great Migrations by crossing the Grumeti
River. Here wildebeests face danger as many of these become dead crossing the
River and hunting by the predators.
Great Wildebeest Migration During June:
By
June, the herds of animals come across the western side of Serengeti and the
southern edge of the Grumeti River. The possibility of danger arises because
many of the wildebeests become the feast of crocodiles.
As
July comes, the Great Wildebeest
Migrations
head on to the western side of the
Serengeti National Park along the north edge of Serengeti, the Mara River. This
part of their movement is even riskier at the time of crossing the river. But
crossing the Mara River considers the most amazing show on earth.
Great Wildebeest Migration During July, August, September, & October:
After
many hurdles in crossing the Mara River, the Migrations come into the Masai
Mara’s northern region. Due to the combined attacks of the predators, and
overflow river-crossing, thousands of Wildebeests lose their lives every year.
By
September and October, the migration process comes to an end and the herds of
wildebeests come back towards the eastern part to migrate again.
Great Wildebeest Migration During November:
The
herds of wildebeest move down from Kenya towards the eastern parts of the
Serengeti by early November according to the weather.
And
by December, the wildebeests along with thousands of zebras move across the
east and south edge of the Serengeti.
The
cycle of the movement restart as the rain comes in in the southern part of the
Serengeti.
Where to See the Great Wildebeest Migration:
The
great migration of Serengeti has been considered the greatest wildlife show on earth.
It covers the area of southern Serengeti, Tanzania to Masai Mara, Kenya.
If you are planning to go on a Tanzania Safari Tour, it will be a great opportunity for you to watch the Serengeti Wildebeest Migrations.
- Eastern Serengeti [Gol kopjes]
- Northern Serengeti and the Mara River
- Central Serengeti [Seronera River and surrounding valley]
- Western corridor [Grumeti River]
- In Ngorongoro and Ndutu Plains
How to Watch the Great Wildebeest Migration:
Through Self-Drive
If
you have good driving skills then you can go for a self-drive in Serengeti National Park. However, we
don’t recommend you to do so as Serengeti National Park is a vast area of
14,500 square km. You may face any kind of trouble along the route or may get
lost.
But
if you want to go by self-drive, you have to take care of some things.
- Hire a 4WD safari vehicle for moving around the park safely.
- Get an experienced guide with you rather than go alone.
- Plan your route before you go for a self-drive.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
- To spot the wildebeests with a bird’s eye, you can book a hot air balloon safari over Serengeti National Park.
- You can go for a hot air balloon safari with the sunrise for the best views of the Serengeti Migrations.
- This is quite exciting to visualize the wildebeests from the air.
A Guided Safari Package
- A guided safari tour is the best option for experiencing the herds of Great the Wildebeest Migration.
- You can choose a budget-friendly safari package as per your need.
- A good safari package will provide you with a well-experienced safari guide.
If
you are also excited to observe the amazing wildebeest migration in Serengeti,
this information will help you by designing your Serengeti Wildebeest
Migration Safari.
Contact African Scenic Safaris
at +255 (0) 784 413 801 or email: info@africanscenicsafaris.com to
get information about customized Serengeti
Safari Tours.
Conclusion:
The yearly movement of the wildebeests
is counted among the world’s seven wonders. This is an eye-catching show acted
by the Great wildebeests and attracts thousands of tourists to Tanzania
every year.
Are you inspired? Then why are you
waiting for…..
To learn more about Tanzania safari,
especially Serengeti, you can read our other blogs by clicking here-
https://africanscenicsafaris.com/blog/facts-you-never-knew-about-serengeti-wildebeest-migration/
Comments
Post a Comment