Wildebeest Migration Calender

The Great Migration, also known as the Wildebeest Migration, is a breathtaking natural phenomenon that involves the movement of over a million wildebeest from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve. The migration takes place every year, and it is one of the most remarkable displays of wildlife behavior in the world. The animals’ instinctive behavior leads them to seek greener pastures, following the climatic rainfall patterns over the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem. For the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the best time to witness the migration is from mid-July to the end of August, with the larger herds of wildebeest starting their move into Masai Mara during this period. The migration usually ends in mid-September.

The number of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals that undertake the long trek each year varies, but it can be as high as 1.5 million wildebeest and almost a million zebras. The migration is especially dangerous as the animals cross the crocodile-infested Mara and Talek rivers along the way, with many falling prey to the giant Nile crocodiles.

If you’re planning a safari to Kenya and want to witness the Wildebeest Migration, here are some common questions and answers to help you prepare:

Best time to see Wildebeest Migration is from mid-July to late August. Migration lasts from July to September.

Where do the wildebeest migrate to and from? The wildebeest migrate from Serengeti to Masai Mara and vice versa, depending on the climate, pasture, and mating and calving seasons. They generally migrate through the year clockwise, covering vast areas reaching into Southern, Central, and Western Serengeti before arriving in Masai Mara around July to August. They start their journey back to Serengeti around late October.

If you want to see the Wildebeest Migration, you can go on a safari game drive in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Experienced driver-guides will take you in specialized vehicles to the places where the wildebeest cross the rivers. It can take a day to get to these points, which are located far from most lodges and camps, so plan accordingly. Most people who come to see the Migration want to spend time watching the wildebeest cross the rivers, which is a major highlight of the tour. You’ll need to stay close to the reserve, as the crossing points can change slightly every year but are generally located in the same area.

The Great Migration is a year-round phenomenon that offers different wildlife experiences at different times. It’s not limited to the river crossing event in late July and August, but can be seen in various parts of Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara throughout the year.

Between December and April, the herds can be seen south of Serengeti National Park, where they give birth to their young and move in search of grasslands. This is also a time when predators such as lions and leopards hunt for vulnerable calves. By March or April, the herds begin their northward journey to central and western Serengeti.

During the months of May and June, large groups of migratory herds move northward in search of fresh grazing and water. The herds are usually made up of hundreds of thousands of animals, accompanied by zebras and a few Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles. As June marks the end of the rainy season, it is also the time when the Grumeti River crossing occurs. However, the crossing is not as awe-inspiring as the crossings that take place on the Mara River.

The Mara River crossing happens from July to September. In August, the herds move northwards into the Serengeti and cross into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. This is the most preferred moment of the Migration, watching the frantic herds of wildebeests crossing the Mara River.

From October to November, the wildebeest herds migrate again, heading south through western Loliondo and the Serengeti National Park’s Lobo area, returning to the green shoots. Calving begins again, and the predators move in, with the packs currently stationed in the Lobo, Mbuze Mawe, and Seronera Valley areas where water is abundant. Fresh grazing sees the wildebeest clustered in the northeastern Serengeti and the southern Serengeti, and the life cycle starts again.