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The
endless plains of east Africa
are the setting for the world’s
greatest wildlife spectacle
- the 1.5 million animal ungulate
(wildebeest) migration.
From the vast Serengeti plains
to the champagne colored hills
of Kenya’s Masai Mara over 1.4
million wildebeest and 200,000
zebra and gazelle, relentlessly
tracked by Africa’s great predators,
migrate in a clockwise fashion
over 1,800 miles each year in
search of rain ripened grass.
There
is no real beginning or end
to a wildebeest's journey. Its
life is an endless pilgrimage,
a constant search for food and
water. The only beginning is
at the moment of birth. An estimated
400,000 wildebeest calves are
born during a six week period
early each year - usually between
late January and mid-March.
The
Migratory Path
DECEMBER,
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
The Serengeti National Park
/ Ngorongoro Conservation Area
is arguably the most impressive
wildlife sanctuary in the world.
During the months December through
March the seemingly unending
plains of the southern Serengeti
and the Conservation Area are
inhabited by enormous herds
of wildebeest and zebra. The
great herds graze on rain ripened
grass.
In
the calving season (late January
through mid March) the herds
concentrate at the Ndutu and
Salei plains (Southern Serengeti
/ Ngorongoro Conservation Area)
attracting the attention of
predators like lion, cheetah
and hyena.
During
this period the migration is
best observed from Ndutu Safari
Lodge, Kusini Camp or any of
several private tented camps
used by mobile safaris such
as our "Classic Tanzanian
Tented Safari". These include
campsites in the Ndutu/Naabi
area.
APRIL,
MAY During the months April
and May the depleted plains
are unable to sustain the endless
herds. The migration, sweeping
west and north, moves from the
short grass plains of the southern
Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation
Area to the long grass plains
and woodland of the Serengeti’s
western Corridor, almost to
Lake Victoria.
This
period is during the long rains
and is considered off season
for wildlife viewing in east
Africa as roads are often impassable.
Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini
Camp and the Serengeti Serena
Lodge are fine for wildlife
viewing during this time. So
are campsites in the Ndutu/Naabi
area.
JUNE
By the end of May the wildebeest
have exhausted the Western Corridor’s
best pastures and the herds
must move further north. Entering
the Lamai Wedge and the Mara
Triangle breeding occurs May
through June.
This
is a transitional period between
the rains and the dry season.
The Serengeti Serena is a
central, easily accessible lodge
for viewing the migration at
this time. Grumeti River Camp,
Migration Camp and Kirawira
Camp are also options. Seronera
and Moru area campsites are
best.
JULY,
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
By July the countless herds
have amassed along the swollen
Mara River - a final barrier
from the short sweet grasses
of the Masai Mara. Sometimes
the crossing place they have
chosen is shallow allowing the
majority of animals to pass
safely. In other areas the waters
boil with drowning wildebeest
and slashing crocodiles.
Between
July and October the wildebeest
reside in the Mara. We recommend
Governor's Il Moran Tented Camp
as the leading safari camp in
the Masai Mara. Other tented
camps include Governor's Main
Camp, Little Governor’s Camp,
Bataluer Camp, and Mara River
Camp. Tanzanian lodges recommended
during this time include Kirawira
Tented, Migration Camp, and
Grumeti River Camp. Kirawira
and Moru area campsites are
best.
NOVEMBER
The arrival of the short rains
call the migration southward.
During the short rains of
November the wildebeest migration
is best viewed from either Lobo
Wildlife Lodge or Klein’s Camp.
Campsites in the Lobo area are
best.
As
November ends the migration
is making its way back to the
southern Serengeti and early
in the year they once again
give birth. The circle of life
is complete.
Note
- the migration is a natural
event and the timing varies
month by month; year by year.
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