WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
When To Travel: Through out a year
” the significance of the Serengeti is way beyond the migration, and there’s always more to be discovered.
But this does not mean you should miss out the river crossings”
No one knows what triggers the migration.Is it the rain or is it some instinctive call only the wildebeest can hear ?.
The rains appear to be the obvious answer,but naturalist and scientists have not been able to conclusively uncover this mystery. Perhaps part of the magic is that we can not know the answer.But what we do know is that the call must be strong than the dangers the wildebeest know so well,for they risk the journey year on year.
The herds moves in a clockwise direction from the south of the Serengeti, through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Grumeti Reserve into the north of the serengeti.Then they briefly Tanzania to spend some time in Maasai Mara Kenya, which borders Serengeti National Park in the north,before heading back south to start the journey over again.
Most of the migration takes place in the far larger Serengeti than in the Maasai Mara Kenya.Tragically for the herds,much of the route is fraught with danger,for the predators ,migration signals a feast.The rivers are teeming with crocodiles,lions and other big cats stalk plains.
As the wildebeest head across the serengeti, they are joined by great herds of gazelle and zebra.Their strength lies in their numbers for it is much harder for a predator to launch an attack on a mass stampede of animals.
Together they will walk and run over a 1000 km in the coming months, diseases and exhaustion cause many deaths along the route, providing a veritable feast for opportunistic creatures such as vultures and hyaenas .It is important to note that not all the animal in the savannah are migratory, and devoting some time to spotting lions, elephant, giraffe, and the primates the bush has to offer is deeply rewarding too.
The wildebeest regroup at the rivers and the streams instinctively aware that the river crossings provide the most serious challenge. The banks are steep and water level often low, and even a stampeding herd doesn’t always deter the crocodile.
The powerful reptiles simply wait for a straggler to be separated from the herd, often from the ranks of the elderly beasts or the new born, which are easily disoriented in the chaos. These creatures are the most vulnerable, an easy meal for the river-dwellers. But the herd doesn’t wait for those who get lost or are tired.
JANUARY: The herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park , moving south from the north – east region and into the area near Lake Ndutu. Up to two million wildebeest , zebra , and antelope form the Serengeti migration. The animals break up into mega – herds of thousands or hundreds of individuals at time.
FEB – MARCH : It is calving pick season where more than 8000 wildebeest babies are born each day. So prepare yourself for lots of wobbly calves and lots of heartbreak as fearsome predators swoop in. The Serengeti’s big cats takes the lions share , but hit-and – run jackals , pack of wild dog and hyena clans add up to the spectacle.
If the short rainy season (Nov-Dec) produce good grazing , the herds feed frenziedly and remain in the Serengeti’s Southern plains until they slowly start moving West in March.
APRIL: Is the start of the rains season ( Apr- May ) and the herds are generally move in a North-West direction towards the Moru and Simba kopjes . The action- packed rutting (breeding ) season is in full swing , featuring testosterone – fueled jousts between males competing for the right to mate with receptive females .
MAY : The massed heards are on the go , huge columns of up to 40 km (25miles) in length can sometimes be seen as the wildebeest funnel up into the Central Serengeti . From here everyone’s moving a little quicker now that the calves are stronger.
JUNE : By June , the herds begin to spill across the murky pools of the Mbalageti and Grumeti river. Although not quite as dramatic as northern crossing , there is plenty of drama in store as the crocodiles prepares for their annual wildebeest banquet. Rutting season is also underway and plains are alive with testosterone – males chasing their chosen ladies .
JULY: The survivors continue to the northern Serengeti. The treacherous waters of the Grumeti may be behind them , but worse is in store in the shape of Great Mara River . The river itself winds through the north – western Serengeti before twisting into the western Maasai – Mara in Kenya.
Depending on rainfall , the crossing can begin as early as June or as late as August.
AUGUST: The river crossing are well underway . Plunging into the waters of the Mara River , where the wildebeest must survive the snapping jaws of the crocodile before dodging the lions lying in wait on the other side. Marabou storks and vultures flock to the river to feast on the fallen and the game viewing is dramatic , bloody ,frenzied ,and sensational.
SEPTEMBER: After the drama of the crossing , some of the beasties will remain contentedly in the northern Serengeti , but most will make their way to Maasai Mara. On the look out for fresh grass the herds will wonder all over the place , crossing and re-crossing the river and facing predators whatever they run.
OCTOBER : Most of the herds will begin making their way back south through the Serengeti ,answering the call of rains in their search for juicy new grasses. Some unlucky animals may still have a river crossing to face , but they became fewer as the month passes , and of course the hungry predators are still hot on their heels.
NOVEMBER : The herds continue towards the southern Serengeti , the journey becoming more urgent as the rain begin to fall with fervor – they must reach the southern Serengeti plains as soon as the first grasses begin to sprout . For the best wildebeest watching , head to eastern side of the Serengeti and the Central region Seronera .
DECEMBER : Majority of the herds have reached the southern Serengeti plains by December and are rewarded with those all important new shoots. Feasting begins , the predators come out to play and the circle of life begins again .
