The best spots to see the wildebeest Migration
The best spots to see the wildebeest Migration : The annual wildebeest migration, which is sometimes referred to as “the greatest show on earth,” involves massive herds of almost two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving thousands of kilometers in a general clockwise direction from Kenya’s Maasai Mara in the north to the southern Serengeti.
One of Africa’s best-known safari experiences is watching the migration, which draws tourists all year to see this breathtaking show. The herds go through the full cycle of life along the way, from mating to calving to death, frequently at the hands of their numerous predators, the big cats and crocodiles, who are themselves supported by Mother Nature’s lovely, if brutal, cycle.
Herds are constantly dividing and reforming, going backwards before moving forward again, and experiencing other variations that can make the situation more chaotic than it might appear. Although the herds typically follow the rain, the exact timing of their arrival at each location cannot be predicted. The exact location of a migration safari can be difficult to predict because the timing and routes change from year to year.
As these establishments are moved every season to follow the migration route, staying at a mobile safari camp ensures a good chance of spotting the migrating herds. In the Serengeti or the Mara, depending on when you travel, try to spend time at two or three different safari camps.
The most sought-after sights are the dramatic river crossings, but it’s risky to base your entire trip around them because they are so unpredictable and it’s far from certain that you’ll be there at the right time. Seeing a river crossing should not be your only motivation for traveling.
WHERE TO SEE THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION: THE BEST PLACES FOR MIGRATION SAFARIS
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Ndutu Plains
A vast expanse of open savanna is created by the remote region to the south of Serengeti National Park, known as Kusini, or “south” in Swahili. It borders the Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maswa Game Reserve to the southwest.
Between the months of January and March, the wildebeest migration passes through the Ngorongoro and Ndutu regions. It is calving season, when tens of thousands of newborn calves fill the herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles.
But the big cats and hyenas that prey on the young calves at their most defenseless find the open grassland plains and scant tree cover to be an ideal hunting habitat. The miracle of new life and growth is being tempered by the harsh reality of the prey-predator relationship, which makes this a dramatic—and traumatic—time. The area is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas.
The Maswa Game Reserve, which has two private reserves, Maswa Mbono to the north and Maswa Kimali to the south, borders the southern Serengeti. The Serengeti ecosystem is significantly protected by the reserve. In addition to acting as a vital barrier between the local population and the Serengeti National Park, effective anti-poaching measures have increased wildlife populations, reduced encroachments, and made it more difficult for poachers to enter the Serengeti.
Lake Ndutu, a soda lake that is highly alkaline and salty and is a well-known feeding ground for the lesser flamingo, is also nearby.
Aside from opportunities for wildlife viewing, the area has stunning landscapes that show signs of early human habitation, including rock paintings on kopjes (rocky outcrops) and the Olduvai Gorge, a significant archaeological site where some of the earliest hominid remains were found in 1973.
- Central Serengeti and the western corridor
When the ‘long rains’ start in April, the mega herds of wildebeest spread out and move toward the central Serengeti and eventually into the ‘western corridor’.
The Seronera River and the surrounding valley are located in the center of the national park. With resident lions, leopards, and cheetahs, the Seronera is a perennial river that offers year-round wildlife a good habitat. This region hosts a large number of herbivores throughout the year, including zebras, Bohor reedbuck, and Grant’s gazelles, due to its diversity of habitats and year-round access to water. Additionally, flamingos can be found nearby at Lake Magadi.
Due to local volcanic activity, the area is dotted with sizable kopjes that serve as big cats’ preferred perches. The towering rocks in the Disney movie The Lion King were modeled after Simba Kopjes, which means “Lion Rocks. The renowned “gong rocks” at Moru Kopjes, which are believed to have been used for communication over the vast plains, are among these boulders. Additionally, nearby are caves with rock art that the Maasai used up until 50 years ago.
At Moru Kopjes, south of the Seronera River, it’s also possible to see the last few black rhinos that still roam the Serengeti.
The Grumeti River, the wildebeest’s first significant river crossing on their lengthy journey north, will be encountered once the front runners have reached the western corridor. The Grumeti has some impressive crossings, despite not being as wide or dangerous as the Mara.
- Northern Serengeti and the Mara River
The herds travel north through the Ikorongo Game Reserve while still dispersed in order to reach the Kogatende and Lamai regions on the banks of the Mara River. Between July and October, with July and August typically being the busiest months, the Kogatende region in the northern Serengeti is a fantastic place to catch the migration. Along with other leopards and cheetahs, there is a year-round resident pride of lions in the region that you can observe.
The Mara River, which is located at the very northern border of the Serengeti National Park, serves as the setting for the renowned migration river crossings. A good place to base yourself during the busiest summer months is Kogatende. Daily river crossings take place, and there are far fewer tourists here than in the Maasai Mara, which is just across the border.
- Kenya’s Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, also known as “Mara,” is the northern limit of the larger Serengeti ecosystem, the majority of which is located in Tanzania. In the Mara, the herds usually move between June and October. The Mara River flows through the middle of the reserve, making it a prime location for river crossings. The herd will be frantically avoiding the crocodiles lurking below the water’s surface as it crisscrosses the river during the height of the summer months.
The Mara can feel crowded during the months of the greatest migration because it is much smaller than the Serengeti National Park, and Kenya is by far the more popular safari destination.
In the Mara, there are more than 300 camps and lodges, ranging from basic but affordable accommodations to luxurious ones. From $150 to $1,000 per person per night is the price range. Although you can stay inside the reserve, the best places to do so are in the conservancies that surround it. To avoid disappointment, given the wide range in price and quality, it is probably a good idea to make your reservations through a reputable safari specialist such as Select Adventure Safari.
- Eastern Serengeti
On the eastern side of the Serengeti, the savanna is broken up by acacia trees and rocky outcrops, the most well-known of which is Gol Kopjes. This is a fantastic location to observe large cats pursuing their prey, like Grant’s or Thomson’s gazelles.
For its lengthy and swiftly moving journey south, the herd disperses once more around October and November, passing through the Loliondo and Lobo regions. At this time of year, it’s difficult to catch the migration, but there is still plenty of wildlife to see, and because it’s low season, some truly amazing lodges and camps are very affordable.
Beyond the park’s eastern border is Ol Doinyo Gol, also known as “Mountain of God” in the Maasai language. Although it is not as tall as the famous Mount Kilimanjaro (5,500m), at 2,900 meters above sea level, it is still a strenuous full-day climb. The grasslands in the area have been improved by the lava flows from the volcano, making it a desirable location for the wildebeest on their way back south. Another soda lake, Lake Natron, is even farther east and offers tens of thousands of lesser flamingos an excellent breeding ground.
PLANNING A WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI
Migration safaris: Kenya vs. Tanzania
The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is a more cost-effective place to view the wildebeest migration. Kenya has more flights, more tourists, fiercer competition, and a wider range of reasonably priced accommodations than Tanzania, despite having a shorter migration season.
Because of Tanzania’s size, getting to the parks in the south and west is more expensive but typically much more upscale because traveling outside of the Northern Circuit typically necessitates internal flights.
Compared to the Maasai Mara, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is significantly larger and has more upscale lodges and camps in less crowded areas. However, the Serengeti’s central areas can still get very crowded, so picking your camps wisely is essential.
In general, Kenya is the better option for family safaris, those on a tight budget, and those with limited time. Tanzania may be your best bet if you want to splurge, get away from the crowds, and visit multiple locations.
Where do the wildebeest migrate from and to?
The rhythmic migration is more of a perpetual cycle that repeats with slight variations year after year. It has no real beginning or end. Perhaps it would be more accurate to imagine that each calf’s journey began with its birth in the Ndutu plains, which lie beyond the southern Serengeti. The herd then moves north through the Serengeti, crossing the Mara River to enter Kenya’s Maasai Mara, before turning around and returning to the southern plains.
Why do the wildebeest migrate?
Following the new grasses that emerge after the rains in the Serengeti-Mara region, wildebeest migrate there. Theoretical explanations for how they detect rainy areas include the smell of the rain, a shift in air pressure, and evolutionary instinct.
Others, besides wildebeests, migrate. Thousands of zebras, gazelles, and impalas are included in the herd. Beyond mere safety in numbers, these mega herds offer benefits. Zebras consume the longer, coarser grass, preparing it for the wildebeest, who prefer shorter grass and have wider muzzles. Because they do not migrate with the herds, predators like lions and leopards only come into contact with one another when their paths cross.
A ‘wavy front’ has been seen when the herds begin to move, pointing to some degree of coordination among the wildebeest. We don’t know how they communicate this.
Lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, and crocodiles are some of the main predators that prey on wildebeest. However, a fully grown wildebeest is not an easy meal, and adults can cause serious harm to most predators, including lions, by impaling or tossing assailants with their powerful horns.
A wildebeest’s top speed is 80 km/h, making it one of the more difficult animals to capture. When a predator approaches, they will swarm together, with adults screening younger animals. As they move, they also have lookouts who, if they spot a predator, will call out to warn the herd. The herd moves in unison to avoid the attack after being alerted.
One of the most dramatic parts of the migration is when animals cross rivers. While it may appear that the wildebeest jumped into the water at random, sparking a flurry of activity, research suggests that it may have been more deliberate than first believed. Wildebeest appear to possess “swarm intelligence” as they work together to methodically explore and overcome obstacles.
Is the wildebeest migration in danger?
The wildebeest migration is a complex interaction between people and wildlife in terms of conservation. The future of the entire ecosystem is precariously hanging in the balance.
Local communities, development, and tourism
In the past, the Maasai were herders who could coexist with wildlife because they were semi-nomadic. However, tourism has encouraged more habitation in and around parks like the Serengeti.
It has been a modest success for private wildlife conservancies to be established around national parks, giving locals a stable source of income from their land and establishing well-managed grazing areas. However, booming tourism and population growth have encouraged further expansion, putting stress on park borders and resulting in conflicts between people and wildlife.
A changing climate
The more extreme variations in seasonal flooding and drought, which could be a result of climate change, have become a significant threat to the region. The possibility of a new threat to the Serengeti’s keystone species and its migration increases as the Indian Ocean warms and prevailing winds transport moisture over East Africa.
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
One of the most magnificent natural phenomena is the wildebeest migration, which travels from Tanzania to southern Kenya. 2 million animals moves in herds over a distance of 1,800 miles in a year, enduring the dangers of fording crocodile-infested rivers and the relief of arriving at greener pastures.
The Mara River, the plains of the Masai Mara National Park, and the Ndutu Plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti are three prime locations to witness this mass migration of wildebeest and all the drama it brings.
