Great Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles make their yearly journey throughout the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem during this well-known, year-round event. Their quest for new pastures drives the massive herds, which eventually cross stunning rivers where powerful currents and enormous crocodiles threaten to shorten parts of their treks. Long before modern man set foot on the savannah, over a million years ago, the Great Migration was an essential part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Currently, the Ngorongoro and Serengeti habitats are home to an astounding 80% of the world’s wildebeest population. This amazing adventure may continue to be witnessed by future generations because of ongoing conservation initiatives that are partially sponsored by tourism.
Wildebeest Migration Quick Facts
The migration is thought to have begun more than 1.5 million years ago.
There are hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles among the more than 1.5 million wildebeests.
The journey covered was 800 miles (1,000 kilometers).
From January until early March, 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every day.
What affects the path: Herds’ movements in pursuit of water and grazing are determined by seasonal rainfall.
Highlights: Calving Season, Grumeti River Crossing, and Mara River Crossing.
Best Time to see the Migration?
Although the Great Migration occurs all year long, you will need to be in the right spot at the right time if you wish to see it at its most stunning.
Because of the Wildebeest Migration’s comparatively constant pattern, it is possible to estimate the animals’ approximate locations and times of arrival. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that the movement is dictated by the seasonal rains. Unusual weather patterns make it more difficult to predict when the herds will arrive at specific sites. They can be late or early at any given time.
In general, July through September are the ideal months to travel to Tanzania to witness the Wildebeest Migration. Since it is the dry season, it is simpler to get to the herds and traverse the Serengeti National Park. The spectacular passage of the Mara River also occurs at this time.
The best time to witness the migration, however, if you’re traveling to Kenya, is from August to October, when the animals enter the Maasai Mara.
You should think about what you want to experience when you plan your migration safari because it will dictate the destination and the month of your trip. Calving, crossing rivers, and, of course, witnessing the enormous herds that cover the plains for kilometers around are the primary events of the migration.
Location of the Wildebeest Migration
East Africa’s Kenya and Tanzania are the sites of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Traveling in a wide circle through southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, the Great Migration is constantly in motion. As they follow the rains in their never-ending quest for water and greener pastures, herds travel in a clockwise manner.
What gives the Wildebeest Migration Direction
Since the route is constantly altering significantly based on rainfall patterns, we are unsure. In their first year of life, baby wildebeests learn the approximate route, and one of the most important factors is their amazing capacity to detect rain more than 50 kilometers away. We’re not clear how they accomplish this.
How Long is the Wildebeest Migration
About 800 kilometers make up the Great Migration route, which passes through Tanzania and Kenya. The herds must finish the travel in a full year before beginning the journey anew.
The animals are usually dispersed over a significant distance throughout their voyage rather than being gathered in one location and getting there all at once. This indicates that the migration track is widely distributed, increasing the likelihood that you may see some activity while on safari in Tanzania and Kenya.
History of the Wildebeest Migration
There are many contradictions, partial truths, and occasionally blatant lies in the history of the Great Migration. I’ve taken some time to research the literature and try to separate fact from fiction to provide you with the most accurate timeline of this incredible wildlife spectacle.
Fossils discovered close to Olduvai Gorge, dubbed the “cradle of mankind,” in the Serengeti over 1.5 million years ago provide evidence that creatures nearly comparable to modern wildebeests once roamed the habitat. This is where the tale as we know it begins.
The abundance of bones found in mature male wildebeests raises the possibility that early hominins, or our predecessors, hunted these animals regularly.
Wildebeests in the past most likely traveled a similar migratory path to their descendants because of the seasonality of supplies in the Serengeti habitat.
The calving season on the Southern Serengeti’s rich Ndutu plains is a crucial component of the big migration. The grasses in the Ndutu plains receive additional nutrients from the fertile soil, which is necessary for the mothers to produce rich milk and for the infants to eat during the first few weeks of life.
The now-famous Ngorongoro Crater, one of Tanzania’s most visited safari spots, was formed when the Ngorongoro Volcano erupted and collapsed on itself. This is somewhat to blame for Ndutu’s nutrient-rich grasses and soils.
We can thus hypothesize that this may have been the start of the current trajectory of the Great Migration, since the collapse made this area notably more mineral-rich than other Serengeti parts.
The book and accompanying movie were essential in raising awareness of the Great Migration in the Serengeti and assisting in the preservation of the environment for enjoyment by future generations.
By splitting the Serengeti into counting blocks, Bernhard and Michael Grzimek devised a novel method of counting the number of wildebeests using a light airplane. A little less than 100,000 wildebeests were counted in 1958.
The wildebeests they counted were an astounding 90% fewer than the 2 million previously anticipated. What had wiped out the vast herds?
The cause is rinderpest, a disease that arrived in Africa from Italy via Ethiopia in 1900. The epidemic wiped off domestic livestock, including the herds of cows owned by the pastoralist Maasai, as well as wildlife.
In the 1940s, there were about 30,000 fewer wildebeest because the nearby cattle continued to infect them. The disease had little effect on zebras; therefore, their population remained constant.
The Great Migration shifted its course in the early 1950s, moving from the plains to the West and back again throughout the rainy season. Today, it is only a shell of what it once was.
Fortunately, rinderpest was eradicated from the region in 1950 thanks to a cow vaccination campaign. The wildebeest population started to rebound after the virus stopped eradicating them. The population stabilized at 1.3 to 1.5 million people by the 1970s.
It’s interesting to note that as the population increased once more and the herds had to find new areas to graze, the wildebeests appeared to recall their ancestors’ original migration paths and venture back to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Renowned biologist and wildebeest specialist Dr. Richard Despard Estes has carried out additional research on the Serengeti’s wildebeests. After finishing his thesis on the Ngorongoro Crater’s wildebeest, Dr. Estes spent the next forty years conducting fieldwork in Africa to increase our knowledge of animals, and wildebeests in particular. His 2014 book The Gnu’s World contains summaries of a large portion of this work.
Between Tanzania and Kenya, which is Better for the Wildebeest Migration
You can get the chance to see the well-known migration in both countries. But in a lot of ways, Tanzania is ahead. First of all, while wildebeests are only visible in Kenya from mid-July to mid-October, they are present in Tanzania for almost the whole year. In Tanzania, you may still come across some herds between mid-July and mid-October because people often cross the Mara River multiple times.
Furthermore, Tanzania is the only place to witness two of the three major migratory events. The Southern Serengeti’s calving season runs from January to March. On average, 8,000 newborn wildebeests are born every day, and it is a genuinely magical experience to witness them walk for the first time. The herds then traverse the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti in May and June. With ravenous crocodiles waiting beneath the waves, the crossing offers enough action even though it isn’t as spectacular as the Mara River crossing.
The crossing of the Mara River is without a doubt the migration’s high point. From Tanzania or Kenya, this is visible from mid-July to mid-October. However, the experience varies from nation to nation. Below, I’ll examine the benefits and drawbacks of each.
If you want to avoid the crowds, Tanzania is a better place to see the crossing than Kenya. During this time, the Masai Mara gets very crowded, and you may see dozens of cars parked along the riverbed. The Serengeti is still undoubtedly crowded, but because of its remoteness, it is a little more exclusive.
Although both are excellent places to witness the migration, Tanzania is marginally superior for the reasons mentioned above.
Great Migration
One of the most significant components of the Serengeti ecosystem is the wildebeest. Even if we still don’t fully understand how the ecosystem functions, we do know that it is a vital part of it.
With more than 400 tons of manure per day, wildebeests, the Serengeti’s gardeners, fertilize the grasslands! At current dung costs, that amounts to USD 1.9 million (GBP 1.5 million) of dung every year.
Together with the zebras and gazelles, they graze the grasslands, which promotes the growth of new vegetation.
They prevent hot figures from destroying trees and other important habitats by eating and trampling the grasses as they move.
The wildebeest is an essential food source for the thousands of predators who rely on the migration to fuel themselves and their young. To ensure future grass growth and the survival of wildebeests and other herbivores, the residue left by the predators will be absorbed into the soil and act as a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
The Great Wildebeest Migration Highlight
The two main sights of the migration are the numerous river crossings and the calving season, in addition to the enormous herds of wildebeest that spread as far as the eye can see over the plains.
While the calving season is the ideal time to witness newborns and the associated big cat action, river crossings offer lots of spectacular action.
River Crossing
During the Wildebeest Migration, river crossings are the most dangerous portion. It’s amazing to watch the herds throw themselves down the steep riverbanks and then try to swim through the crocodile-infested gauntlet below. I usually get a great sense of pleasure from watching the survivors surge up the opposite side, even if it’s tumultuous, dramatic, and frequently heartbreaking.
Mara River Crossing
The Kogatende Region in northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in southern Kenya are traversed by the Mara River. Animals are drawn to it, especially during the dry season, and it serves as one of the main water sources in the area.
The Mara River is home to the most well-known crossing on the Great Migration route, and it is situated right in the path of the enormous herds of wildebeests. This is most likely the one you’ve seen in TV documentaries and nature shows, as terrified herds of wildebeest throw themselves into the turbulent waters.
Wildebeests frequently have to cross the river multiple times as it meanders through the reserve. Numerous river crossings offer plenty of opportunities to see one, which is fantastic for you, even though it’s not always good news for the animals, who must repeatedly face the perilous waters.
Because nature is unpredictable, it is advisable to see this spectacle as a bonus rather than the main reason you are there. Book as many days in the area as you can because the longer you’re on safari, the more likely you are to observe a river crossing.
The Wildebeest Migration –Month by Month Safari Guide
During this popular, year-round event, more than 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles travel across the Serengeti-Masai Mara habitat each year.
Their quest for new pastures drives the massive herds, which eventually cross stunning rivers where powerful currents and enormous crocodiles threaten to shorten parts of their treks.
When the wildebeest started to cross, it was an extremely emotional event. All of the wildebeest survived the strong currents as they swam through the river and leaped down the banks.
But the current was stronger, and crocodiles were waiting farther up the river. On this more spectacular crossing, one of the weaker wildebeests found it difficult to climb the opposite bank.
A waiting crocodile eventually pulled him into the water after he had exhausted himself. It was an amazing sight to see, and this is a fundamental aspect of nature that strengthens the gene pool by ensuring the survival of the fittest.
Grumeti River Crossing.
The first major crossing the wildebeests make on their northward voyage over Tanzania’s isolated Western Corridor of the Serengeti is the Grumeti River.
The Grumeti River crossing is smaller than the Mara River crossing. The Grumeti River location is a group of ponds and smaller channels, whereas the Mara River is a true deep-water crossing. This doesn’t lessen the intensity of the drama, though; thrilling occurrences have also occurred along the Grumeti.
You’ll probably have a more tranquil experience at the Mara River crossings because they usually receive more people than the Grumeti ones. You will therefore have a better chance of obtaining the best viewing spots for the event.
The best time of year to see the Grumeti River crossing is from May to June. However, there is frequently a two-week window that is dictated by the timing of the rains, so sightings are not certain.
The Great Wildebeest Migration Month by Month
January’s Migration
Location: Southern Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu and Salei Plains
Important Occurrence: Calving
Between the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park, the wildebeests congregate in the plains of Ndutu and Salei after the “short rains” of November and December.
The lush, nutrient-rich grass is the perfect feeding area for the mega-herds of massively pregnant females.
While most births tend to take place in February, January is an excellent time to witness a few early calvings.
As they prepare for the impending abundance of susceptible prey, predators are on the search.
January is often warm and dry, making it the perfect month for a safari. But since thunderstorms can happen throughout this season.
The February Migration
Location: Southern Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu and Salei Plains
Important Occurrence: Calving
February is one of the greatest months to watch the migration because it is when the majority of calving occurs on the Ndutu plains. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, calving is also seen on the Salei and Kusini Plains.
Up to 8,000 zebra and wildebeest calves are born every day during this time.
Approximately half a million wildebeests are born over two to three weeks. Thus, this is your opportunity to witness infants pacing the savannahs! After birth, calves typically get up within 5 minutes and gallop alongside their mothers within 15 to 20 minutes!
You can witness predators in action this month. Lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards are always searching for their next prey. Since the young calves are still getting used to their surroundings, pickings are simple.
The wildebeests’ sole significant defense is their synchronized birthing, which means that so many calves are born at once that the predators are overloaded and can only consume a small portion of the newborns.
The March Migration’s Main Event: Calving
Location: Ndutu and the Southern Serengeti’s environs
To make ready for their next trip north, the animals slowly spread out over the Southern Serengeti grasslands in March. If you come at this time, you may still witness some babies because the last of the calves are being born.
To maximize the grazing and wait until their calves are healthy enough to move, the wildebeests typically stay until the end of March. If the grazing is good, the herds may occasionally stay in the Ndutu area (including the Maswa Game Reserve) until the beginning of April.
The “long rains,” which typically continue until late May, begin in March. Toward the end of the month, you will most likely encounter more intense downpours and localized storms.
The April Migration’s Main Event: Rutting and Grazing
Location: Central Serengeti’s Seronera and Moru Kopjes
To take full use of the nutrient-rich grasses, the Great Migration will conclude in April in the Ndutu district.
But by this point, the majority of the herd has typically departed to travel north via the central Serengeti’s Seronera region.
The herds will be grazing continuously as they travel across the Central Serengeti and are not in a rush. They are getting ready for the following stage, which is the treacherous crossing of the Grumeti River.
In the Western and Central Serengeti, the breeding season begins in April or May, so you may also see some rutting activity during this time.
Safaris are still feasible, but the Serengeti’s primary wet season is well underway. It doesn’t rain all day, but the terrain can become harder to traverse. This time of year frequently sees a lot of cloud cover.
The May Migration
Location: Western Serengeti’s Grumeti Game Reserve
Important Occurrence: Rutting
The gazelles, zebras, and wildebeests start their serious northward migration in May. Any time between April and June can be the beginning of this. The herds travel toward the Western Corridor via the Seronera region.
Breeding takes place while the herds are moving, and the main rutting season is April and May. The Moru Kopjes in the center of the park are home to a large number of animals, making it a great location for famous migration photographs.
The Serengeti’s “long rains” are coming to an end this month, and a few persistent thunderstorms are giving the scenery an additional dramatic touch. The ground becomes dry as the rains stop in late May, driving the animals to go further north to more fertile grazing areas.
The June Migration
Location: Western Serengeti’s Grumeti River
Crucial Occurrence: Grumeti River Bridges
The herds go north across the Serengeti’s Western Corridor and enter the Grumeti Reserve in June. By now, the rutting season is coming to an end.
The herds had to cross the Grumeti River, which is rife with crocodiles, to continue their journey. The Grumeti River crossing is still a breathtaking sight to behold, even if the sides are not as steep and the water is not as deep as the Mara River crossing in the northern Serengeti.
Due to its remote location on the Serengeti’s Western Corridor, it is less popular and typically receives about half as many tourists as the more well-known Mara River crossings.
The Serengeti’s dry season begins in June and lasts until September, with warm days and cold nights.
The July Migration
Location: Northern Serengeti’s Kogatende and Mara River
Crucial Occurrence: Mara River Crossings
The herds continue their northward migration in July and August, with the leading herds reaching the Northern Serengeti’s Kogatende region in early July. The animals are currently dispersed over Kogatende, the Western Corridor, and the Grumeti Reserve.
The next major obstacle facing the animals is the Mara River crossing. This is one of the most breathtaking locations on the entire migration route if you want to get images of the wildebeests struggling against the steep banks, deep-flowing water, and hungry crocodiles. Late July or early August is when the animals usually begin crossing.
Due to the popular Mara River crossing and the dry weather that is perfect for safaris, July and August are the busiest months for both the Northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
The August Migration
Location: Kogatende (Northern Serengeti), Masai Mara (Kenya), and Mara River
Crucial Occurrence: Mara River Crossings
The primary herds of the Great Migration enter Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve after traversing the Mara River.
Since this is the Masai Mara’s busiest dry season, there will be plenty of sunshine and excellent opportunities to see animals. As a result, there will be a lot of other safari vehicles in the park.
The Northern Serengeti in Tanzania is still home to stragglers. Indeed, the Nyamalumbwa Plains and the area surrounding the Lamai Wedge have frequently seen large concentrations of animals.
The September Migration
Location: Kogatende (Northern Serengeti), Masai Mara (Kenya), and Mara River
Crucial Occurrence: Mara River Crossings
While some animals are still in the Northern Serengeti in September, the majority of the herds are still in the Masai Mara, with some continuing to cross the Mara River. The animals stay here as long as the grazing is still nourishing, and here is the trek’s northernmost point.
September is a great month to travel on safari in the Masai Mara if your primary goal is to view the plains teeming with gazelles, zebras, and wildebeests. Predator activity is also abundant, and you might spot a cheetah or lion hunting.
The Masai Mara is still warm and dry, but there is a chance of some rain. Wear clothes because early morning game drives might be chilly.
In mid- to late-September, you can frequently see the first wildebeests returning from the Masai Mara over the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti.
The October Migration
Location: Northern Serengeti’s Kogatende and Mara River
Crucial Occurrence: Mara River Crossings
From the Masai Mara to the Northern Serengeti, the herds continue to traverse the Mara River in October. They extended southward into Tanzania’s Lobo Valley and Loliondo areas of the Northern Serengeti.
Outside of the busiest months of June and July, late September and early October might be excellent times to witness the Great Migration Rivers crossing. Seeing the Mara River cross in late September was an amazing event for me.
The November Migration
Where: Central and Eastern Serengeti
Important Occurrence: Grazing and Moving
Up until mid-November, you may usually still spot the occasional herd of wildebeests returning from the Masai Mara into the northern Serengeti over the Mara River.
The herds travel south through Loliondo, which is located along the Serengeti’s eastern border, in November. Once again, the central plains are fruitful, giving the animals vital grazing places.
The wildebeests, however, know they must constantly move to arrive at the calving grounds at the exact timing; therefore, they don’t remain in one spot for very long. Thus, the Great Migration continues its route to the southern Serengeti grasslands near the end of the month.
November marks the start of the “short rains,” which last until December. The weather rarely interferes with your Serengeti safari experience, and it doesn’t rain all day.
The December Migration
Location: Southern Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu and Salei Plains
Important Event: Calving Preparation
The primary herds had arrived in the northern regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ndutu plains in the southern Serengeti by December.
In preparation for calving, wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles disperse over the savannahs, grazing on the verdant grasses.
They picked this spot because the grass is ideal for nursing moms and is extremely nutrient-rich from previous volcanic activity. Additionally, it is short, which improves their ability to see any potential predators.
If you go in December, be prepared for some storms and regional showers, as this is the last month of the “short” rains. But your pleasure shouldn’t be diminished by the weather.
Booking Your Wildebeest Migration Safari
Booking your safari using a native tour operator is unquestionably the most well-liked and straightforward method to go on safari in [Country]. I was pleased with the way I was able to schedule my [Country] safari.
These kinds of excursions are incredibly convenient since your tour operator will handle everything, from securing permits and lodgings to providing you with the most recent recommendations for the finest locations to visit based on wildlife observations.
Package vacations, in which an international travel agency manages all the arrangements, including foreign flights, are an alternative to self-drive safaris and fly-in to hotel safaris, which entail flying from lodge to lodge and providing game drives at each. I’ve outlined the advantages and disadvantages of each option below; your decision will have a big impact on both the price and the pleasure of your safari.
First Choice: Self-Drive Safari
Maximum adaptability
The most economical choice
A feeling of liberty
Choice 2: Local Tour Operator
Making reservations with regional safari travel companies is the best choice.
Ideal for the great majority of safari visitors
Provides a hassle-free, all-inclusive safari vacation that relieves the strain of preparation.
Option 3: Safaris Offered by Hotels
Numerous safari hotels provide unique safari experiences. If you want to fly from lodge to lodge or wish to be based in one location for a long time, this is a fantastic option.
Only suitable for high budgets.
Choice 4: Foreign Travel Consultants
If you don’t care about your budget and want your entire trip, including international flights, to
Your safari experience will, at most, be comparable to what you would get if you made a reservation with a local operator, albeit at a significantly greater cost.
I usually advise making a direct reservation with a nearby tour operator. This strategy provides the ideal mix of a fulfilling safari experience and economical pricing.
Private vs Group Safari
Shared Safaris for the Group
For lone travelers who want to meet other travelers and are on a very limited budget, group sharing safaris can be a wonderful choice.
How much does a Migration Safari Cost
The level of lodging, the country you select, and the internal transportation method (plane or road) to the park are some of the variables that will impact the cost of your migration safari.
Since migration-focused safaris entail spending the majority of your time in either or both of Tanzania’s most costly parks (the Serengeti) and Kenya’s most costly park (the Masai Mara), they are typically more expensive per day than regular safaris.
On the other hand, a normal safari would typically visit several parks, including less expensive ones, which would minimize the average daily cost.
Private safaris with a migratory focus that stay in the Serengeti start at about $400 per person per day. This covers lodging, admission to the park, all meals, transportation, and all activities. The mid-range will cost you about $650 a day, while the premium end might cost you up to $750+.
The prices listed above are for reservations made through a local operator. Reservations made through an international travel agency will incur an additional cost.
Wildebeest Accommodation
On a migration safari, you have a lot of options for lodging, but it’s crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each. Consider your preferred method of travel, the experiences you hope to have, and, of course, your financial constraints. You may choose the ideal kind of lodging for you by taking into account all of these criteria.
Migration Camps
Temporary camps known as “migration camps” are set up to track the migration route. These are usually seen in the Northern Serengeti’s Kogatende and the Southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region.
The wildebeests will be moving through a migration camp for three or four months before being disassembled and relocated to a different area.
Because these buildings are impermanent, they frequently have canvas floors instead of wooden ones and bucket showers instead of plumbed ones. Nonetheless, they still feature all the basic conveniences of a tented camp, such as big, cozy mattresses, desks, outside lounging spaces, and private restrooms with flushing toilets.
Additionally, you will experience the wilderness much more fully than you would if you reserved a permanent cabin or camp. With minimal light pollution to taint the night skies, stargazing is frequently excellent as well. A migration safari is the best option if you want to experience life as a true pioneer.
Movement camps are, in my opinion, a great way to witness the movement. There’s no better way to enjoy a safari if you’re ready for an adventure, don’t mind sleeping in the bush with few amenities, and want to be near nature.
Semi-Permanent Tented Camp
A semi-permanent tented camp is a better option if you want to sleep beneath canvas but still want a more pleasant experience. These function similarly to lodges, offering comparable amenities and services, but with a somewhat more rustic vibe. The safari doesn’t end when you return to your lodging because many tented camps are open to the elements and naturally surrounded by wildlife.
Tented campgrounds come in a variety of styles, from budget-friendly rustic to luxurious. While some go all out with swimming pools and even butlers, others are more conventional and offer a “back-to-nature” feel.
Tents will be used for lodging, though they are often larger and more opulent than those seen in migrant camps. Many feature private decks, flushing toilets, and en suite bathrooms with hot running water.
Semi-Permanent Tented Camps, which consist of approximately five tents and a shared mess tent, are sometimes the most costly category of boutique safari lodging.
Lodges
In contrast to tented camps, which are frequently constructed primarily of canvas, lodges are similar to hotels in the bush and are usually constructed of more substantial materials.
Prices for lodges and tented camps with varying degrees of luxury are often similar.
Almost all lodges have electric charging stations, baths, hot water showers, flushing toilets, and frequently Wi-Fi. There are also private spas, gyms, and plunge pools in some locations. Typically, there will be dining rooms, a bar area, a central lounge, and terraces for outside lunches.
Access to the migratory herds is a drawback of establishing a permanent camp or lodge. Since the animals are always moving, if you are confined to one spot, you may have to make lengthy daily trips to locate the finest spots to see the herds. Although lodges differ in terms of views and immersion in the terrain, staying in one can also feel a little less wild than staying in a camp.
Basic Camping
You have a variety of options for where to camp because both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti have a number of simple campsites. While private campsites frequently demand reservations, particularly during the busiest migratory season, public campgrounds typically do not.
In national parks, camp sites are typically of poor quality and are not always well-maintained.
Although most locations include basic amenities like restrooms, showers, and a place to wash up, it’s best to double-check in advance because standards can differ.
Wildebeest Migration Balloon Safari
Flying is one of the best ways to experience the size of the wildebeest herds. As an extension of your safari experience, balloon safaris are available in Tanzania and Kenya. Since flights typically take place early in the morning, you’ll be able to see the sunrise while silently gliding across the plains.
The sensation of witnessing the migration from above is amazing. Frequently, the animals will be dispersed as far as the horizon throughout the savannahs. Around the periphery of the herds, you may see some predators waiting for an opportunity to attack. You will have unhindered views of the national parks from your spot in the basket, with their plains, forests, and rivers appearing minuscule from above.
You’ll be rewarded with a festive bush breakfast on the plains after returning to earth, frequently accompanied by a drink of bubbly to celebrate your journey.
Other Great Wildlife Migration
There are other large-scale animal migrations worldwide besides the Great Migration in East Africa. It’s not the longest or the biggest. But it is perhaps the most spectacular!
Numerous land mammal migrations have occurred throughout history, but regrettably, many have been significantly influenced by climate change and human civilization.
The antelope migration in South Sudan and the zebra migration in Botswana are two notable wildlife migrations that still occur today and are deserving of recognition.
Botswana Zebra Migration
Did you know that the longest migration in Africa occurs in Botswana? Because so little was known about this massive zebra migration until recently, it was dubbed the “Secret Migration.”
The zebras’ movements have long been a mystery because they travel through numerous areas that are inaccessible to people.
The zebras follow a largely linear route, covering about 620 kilometers annually. If you know where to look, you can view the spectacle on Botswana’s safaris.
The floodplains of the Chobe River are the starting point of the zebra migration, and the animals stay there from July to October during the dry season.
The animals started moving south in November to the Makgadikgadi region of Nxai Pan National Park. Some of them pause briefly at the Seloko Plains en route, but they all walk in a straight line. Typically, this portion of the trip takes up to three weeks.
According to research, the zebras spend roughly 80 days in Nxai Pan between December and February. In March, they make their way back to Chobe National Park, where they stay from April to July.
Great Nile Migration, South Sudan
South Sudan is the site of the greatest terrestrial mammal migration in the world. Only lately has the enormity of this huge antelope movement—known as the Great Nile Migration—been verified.
It’s believed that the animals’ annual movement of about 1,250 miles is sparked by their quest for improved grazing grounds.
Along the White Nile, some 6 million animals, including tiangs, reedbucks, gazelles, and white-eared kobs, traverse the Boma Badingilo Jonglei Landscape in southeast South Sudan.
The animals finally reach the Gambela Region of Ethiopia before making their way back to South Sudan.
Much remains to be discovered about this migration, and its future is uncertain because of to challenges posed by illicit hunting. Since there aren’t many rangers to patrol these areas, it’s challenging to safeguard animals that traverse such a vast area.
Final Thoughts
Seeing the Great Migration is one experience that will always rank far above the others, even though I have had many amazing safaris and wildlife interactions in several African nations.
It was an amazing sight to watch these massive herds wander over the plains and rivers, and it well exceeded my expectations.
The most famous safari experience is most likely the Great Migration. Wildlife photography has never been easier, but nothing will prepare you for the vast numbers of creatures that gather together to make this amazing display!
Yes, it can be more expensive to travel to Kenya and Tanzania during the migration season, but the opportunity to witness the most amazing wildlife extravaganza in the world makes the extra expense worthwhile.
