Wildebeests Migration in Tanzania & Kenya

Wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya
About the migration
The wildebeests migration takes place annually from Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. Over 1.5 million wildebeests, 300,000 zebras together with other antelopes like gazelles and topis migrate in search of better pasture and water together closely being followed by predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards with crocodiles waiting at the Mara and Grumeti rivers.
The wildebeests migration is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The migration takes place across the Serengeti – Mara ecosystem. Great columns of Wildebeests can be seen on space with about 1000 animals per kilometers squared. The migration constantly takes place year after year making it one of the greatest animal migration on earth.
Each animal is said to cover about 800 to 1000 kilometers during the migration. Three groups of grazers participate in the migration, the first group normally eats the first part of vegetation, the second group eats only the medium part of the vegetation while the last group eats the last part of the vegetation.
About wildebeest
Wildebeests also known as gnu belong to the antelope family native to Eastern and southern Africa. There are two types of wildebeests namely; the blue wildebeests and the black wildebeests also known as white tailed gnu. The two species are said to have divided about 1 million years ago. Wildebeests normally breed at the end of rainy season. They usually mix and graze with zebras.
Wildebeests are greyish-brownish, even toed and horned. Wildebeests males are bigger than females, they have broad muzzles, shaggy manes and tails, Roman noses and heavy forequarters. Male black wildebeests stand about 111- 120 cm tall weighing about 180 kilograms while male blue wildebeests stand at about 150 cm and weigh about 250 kilograms while the female blue wildebeests measure up to 135 cm and weighing about 180 kilograms while the female black wildebeests can measure up to 108 cm and weigh up to 155 kilograms.
Usually the milk of the female wildebeests contain lower fat, high protein and lower lactose content than milk of blue female wildebeests. Average lifespan of a wildebeests is about 20 years old although they can live up to 40 years. Wildebeests don’t bond for life, males usually form temporary territories and attract females in their territory. They can form up to 300 territories in 1 square kilometer.
Gestation period for wildebeests is about 250 to 260 days with estrous cycle of 23 days, calves are born weighing 21 kilograms at birth and start moving with the herd within minutes.
Migration in Kenya Masai Mara
Each year, over 1.3 million wildebeests, 400,000 zebras, 300,000 Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles and 12,000 elands enter Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. The herds start entering the reserve from July staying through until their return in October. The river crossings are usually spectacular although there is no particular timing of when the animals start to cross the river so you might need to spend more days at a lodge near the river crossings just incase.
Migration in Tanzania Serengeti
The wildebeests migration at Serengeti national park starts from Ngororongoro conservation area around Ndutj region and southern plains, New calves are mostly born in between January and March. The herds move to seronera plains of the Serengeti national park. By May all herds start to move further north around Moru Kopjes and Seronera.
By June, migration herds move to the southern side of the Grumeti river and congregate around the area in very larger herds preparing to cross the river.
Migration routes
Wildebeests migration does not come easy as the animals have to pass through dangerous rivers with predators like crocodiles in wait while being followed up by other predators like lions. The wildebeests usually follow old migration routes.
Ngorongoro conservation area
The wildebeests migration usually starts from the Ngororongoro conservation area although not exactly at the crater, the migration starts around Ndutu region and this is also the calving season from January to March .
Serengeti plains
The herds spread throughout the Serengeti national park plains healing northwards and arrive around Grumeti river to prepare for crossings
Masai mara
The herds start crossing the Mara river by July and disperse through Masai Mara national game reserve before they start getting back to Serengeti in September.
Best time to see migration
The wildebeests migration takes place every year and visitors can be guaranteed to see the migration but this will depend on the location of wildebeests during that particularly time. We can see the best time to see the migration during some months that correspond with visiting other tourism destinations in Tanzania and Kenya.
Best time to see wildebeests in Tanzania
The best time for seeing wildebeests in Tanzania is from November to June. But it should be noted that the migration moves gradually even while at the national park so you should book accommodation in a place where the herds are present.
Best time to see wildebeests in Kenya
The best time for seeing wildebeests migration in Kenya is from July to October. The most spectacular time is when the migration herds are crossing the Mara river.
Migration seasons
There are no migration seasons for the wildebeests migration because the wildebeests are constantly moving all year round but we can look at migration from month to month.
January to March
The wildebeests migration normally starts from Tanzania around the edge of Serengeti national park at the Ngorongoro conservation area and Olduvai Gorge, during this time most wildebeests are calving hence many chances of tourists seeing newborn calves. About 8000 new calves are born daily during this period. Predators also take advantage of the calving season and put up a show of hunting vulnerable calves daily.
April to May
From the beginning of the May the wildebeests slowly start to move north west to the Serengeti plains around Central Serengeti national park. At the beginning of May the animals start conjugating in small groups and move towards the Moru Kopjes. This is also mating season and you will often observe male wildebeests battling head to head for the females.
June to July
At the beginning of June, most wildebeests move to the western corridor of Serengeti plains while moving towards the Grumeti river. Animals conjugate in huge herds ready to cross the Grumeti river.
August to October
From August, the wildebeests start to cross the Great Mara, this is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles you can watch, survival is for the fittest during this time as thousands of crocodiles patiently wait to get a meal while the wildebeests cross. Some animals are still around the Serengeti side during August. By September the last batch of wildebeests is closing the Mara river spreading through the Masai Mara plains eastwards. Some animals start returning to Serengeti early October.
November to December
From November to December the wildebeests are still moving from Masai Mara but some herds have settled at Ngororongoro conservation area in Serengeti.
Migration facts
It’s unclear what dictates the wildebeests to move annually although it’s considered that the animals move in response to weather.
Some scientists suggest that the animals move in response to short rains and growth of new grass while others say that they follow lightening and thunderstorms ahead.
Over 1.y million wildebeests, 300, 000 zebras and other antelopes participate in the wildebeests migration annually.
Adding gorilla trekking to your trip
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of primates only found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. These are human close relatives sharing over 90% DNA with humans,
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda has slightly got half population of Mountain gorillas in the world, you can trek gorillas at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park in the western part of the country. Gorilla permits need to be booked at least three months in advance before the actual trekking date. Each permit coats $700 per person per trekking. While in Uganda, you can also opt for gorilla habituation and get to spend more time with Mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla trekking experience at $1500 per person per trekking at Volcanoes national park. You also need to book permits in advance to avoid being disappointed. There are several groups of gorillas to be trekked at the park.
Gorilla trekking in Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo offers the cheapest gorilla trekking experience to budget travellers, tourists can fly in to Rwanda and drive to trek mountain gorillas in Congo. While at Virunga national park in Congo , tourists can also visit the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage which is the only one of its kind in the world.
The Mara Grumeti river
Grumeti river
Grumeti river is found along the western side of Serengeti national park in Tanzania. The first herd of wildebeests migration reaches Grumeti river by June every year its one of the most exciting wildlife migration to watch during the river crossings . You can book accommodation around this part of Serengeti during this time of the year.
Mara river
The Mara river flows from Masai Mara national reserve through the Northern Serengeti plains, the Mara river is home to some of the world’s largest crocodiles that feast on the herds as they cross. They crossings at the Mara river is more interesting than the Grumeti river crossings. The crossing can be witnessed in Serengeti national park or Masai Mara game reserve.
The river crossing of wildebeests is not predictable but the only way you can be more lucky is by spending more days at your lodge during the crossing seasons. The herds usually take their time while making the decision to plunge in the crocodile infested rivers.