What is the Great Migration?

A Year-Long, 1,200-Mile Journey – How the Great Migration Moves Throughout the Year

The herd moves throughout the year, as different parts of Serengeti and Maasai Mara become favourable to the herds of wildebeest. Here is how the thousands of animals move around the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The Great Migration in January, February, and March

In January and February, the wildebeest migrate to the southern plains of the Serengeti National Park to search for rain-ripened grass. The calving season also takes place during this time of the year, with half a million calves being born within a short span of weeks.

March

March sees the migratory herd move towards the western corridor, between the Grumeti River and Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Wildebeest must cross the crocodile-infested Grumeti River to reach new grasslands.

The Great Movement in April, May, and June

These months see the migration movement in the northern Serengeti, where they will spend the dry season of the year. The Grumeti river is still the herd source of water as the Serengeti and the surrounding area become dry. By the end of June, thousands of the wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes get ready for the Mara river crossings, which is one of the hardest tests (than the Grumeti Crossing).

The Great Migration in July, August, September, and October

July marks the wildlife crossing into the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Wildebeests must brave the crocodile-filled River Mara to reach fresh grazing land, leading to dramatic scenes of survival and predators taking advantage of the weakened prey. Crossing the Mara River see the migration at its peak, making July and early August the perfect time to see the herds while on the move.

August

August sees the herd spread out across the Maasai Mara, with more animals continuing to cross the Mara River from the northern Serengeti. Wildebeests and zebras also face the threat of lions, hyenas, and cheetahs hunting them as they grazed on the Masai Mara’s grasslands.

In The Month of September and October

In September and October, the wildlife begins to move back towards the south of the Serengeti as the short rains begin. The grazers and their predators follow the rain-ripened grass, leading to tense river crossings once again as they move back in the northern part of Serengeti toward the southern part.

The Great Herd Movement in November and December

November and December see the wildebeest migration back in the southern Serengeti, where they will spend Christmas before starting their journey all over again in January.

The Great Migration in Ndutu

‍The Great Migration in Ndutu, occurring between December and March, is a remarkable natural spectacle, renowned for the wildebeest calving season. During this time, the Ndutu plains become a nursery for newborn wildebeests, with as many as 8,000 calves born daily at the peak of the season. This period of birth is crucial for the survival and continuity of the wildebeest population, making Ndutu a vital location in the migration circuit.