About Wildebeest Migration

The great Serengeti wildebeest migration is the movement of vast numbers of the Serengeti’s wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, eland, impala and also attracts the attention of some of the continent’s most renowned predators, ensuring that if travellers are following the Migration, big cats, crocodiles, and hyenas will never be too far behind.

It has been listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Migration changes from year to year are determined by rain and grazing availability. In January and February, the annual rains hit the Serengeti allowing the female wildebeest to give birth.

By March or April, the area had dried out and become desolate again. The massive grouping of animals moves northwards towards Lake Victoria where they begin the mating season. After that, they head towards the Maasai Mara in June or July and this is where most people witness thousands of animals galloping across the plains and crossing the notoriously crocodile-infested Mara River. River crossings are best seen between July and September.

Animals move back and forth between the two areas during this time. In September, the animals cross back into the Serengeti. After September, there is still the tail end of the migration which lags behind the main herds. If you are late, you can still hope to catch the last of them.

The animals then move back to the Serengeti plains where they started the year. In Tanzania, the best time to witness migration is divided into two periods. In the Southern Serengeti, it is from February to March and July to September in the northern Serengeti.