The Serengeti Migration Is The Greatest Show On Earth

A Tanzania safari is incomplete if you don’t witness the Serengeti wildebeest migration. Even if your reason for visiting Tanzania is for a relaxing Tanzanian beach holiday at a beachside resort, you should still try to work your dates and plan a trip to the Serengeti National Park and view the world famous wildebeest migration.

What Is The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

The Serengeti wildebeest migration is an annual event. More than two million animals migrate from Tanzania to Kenya. About 1.5 million wildebeest accompanied by about half a million zebra and about two hundred thousand gazelles would migrate across Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Witnessing this spectacular event is one of the highlights of any Tanzania holiday.

Where Should You Be To Experience The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

The migration starts in December. During this time, the wildebeest move through the Ndutu region in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You should be looking at places around Lake Ndutu and the southern Serengeti area.

In January when you visit the migration animals are on the short-grass plains of the Serengeti. These are south and east of Seronera, around Ndutu and include the north of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Dispersed across these plains, wildebeest and zebra are everywhere – feeding on the fresh, nutritious grasses. They stay here through January, February and March, with most wildebeest calves born in a short window around February, the timing can be unpredictable as it is a natural event.

The herds of wildebeest migrate north during April through May. The herds usually split during this time because the wildebeest do not have a natural leader. There are various small herds also known as splinter herds and there is one major herd known as the mega herd. You may choose to go along the route of the mega herd or any of the splinter herds. The splinter herds usually migrate across the plains of central Serengeti. The mega herd usually takes the Western Corridor of Serengeti.

In June, the mega herd reaches the Grumeti River while the splinter herds having passed across the central Seronera plains will reach the Lobo Area and the Mara River. During this time, almost every Tanzania safari concentrates on setting up at either Grumeti River or Mara River.

In July, your Tanzania safari should take you to the river crossings where you get to witness the herds in their splendorous stead. If you are traveling towards the end of July, then you should be at Kogatende. At Kogatende, river crossings usually begin in late July or early August and you can encounter the wildebeest river crossings almost every day.

From September to October, you would witness migration and reverse migration. You will come across herds traveling to and fro. You would also see some herds traveling north and some traveling south, marking the final leg of the Serengeti wildebeest migration.