Migration is one of the most incredible things the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem is famous for. The great wildebeest migration is one of the largest mass movements of herbivores that sees over 1.5 million Wildebeests accompanied by hundreds of thousands of Zebras and Gazelles which embark on over 600 miles long journey traversing through plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania and the savannahs of Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya, annually. It is termed Great Wildebeest Migration as the majority of the animals in the scene are the Wildebeests. Another popular name used for this event is “The Great Serengeti Migration”.
The migration cycle starts across the southern plains of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and then moves in a clockwise manner following northwest direction towards Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya. While the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara are the most popular places wildlife migration safaris, the migration cycle is not limited to the two places only as the Wildebeests embark on their search of fresh grazing fields and watering holes.
The Migration Cycle: How Do Wildebeests Migrate?
Cyclical Season
The term “cyclical season of wildebeest” refers to the recurring pattern or cycle of seasonal movements undertaken by wildebeest herds in their migration across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. This migration follows a predictable sequence of events dictated by environmental factors such as rainfall, grass growth, and water availability. The cyclical nature of the migration means that it repeats in a regular pattern each year, with the wildebeests undertaking the same journey from one area to another and back again. This cyclical movement is essential for the survival and well-being of the wildebeest population, as it allows them to access fresh grazing areas, water sources, and birthing grounds at the optimal times during the year. Understanding the cyclical season of wildebeest migration is crucial for conservation efforts, ecological research, and tourism management in the region.
Rainy Season
The migration typically begins in the southern Serengeti during the short rains in November and December. These rains trigger new growth of grass, which attracts the wildebeests. During this time, the herds gather and begin moving northward. Wildebeests, like other wildlife, depend on water for their survival. During the rainy season, natural water sources such as rivers, streams, and waterholes are replenished, providing ample drinking water for the wildebeest herds.
Rainfall stimulates the growth of fresh grasses and vegetation, leading to abundant grazing opportunities for wildebeests. This is particularly crucial for pregnant females and nursing mothers, as well as for young calves, who require nutritious forage to support their growth and development.
Calving Season
At the onset of the rainy season, the Wildebeests begin to gather around Ndutu area in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area extending all the way to the neighbouring southern plains of Serengeti National Park. During this season, the vast plains of this area are covered with short grass, making it a perfect area for breeding. While the migration cycle does not have a specific starting or ending point, the calving season in the southern plains is widely regarded as the first phase of the Wildebeest Migration. It is a stage of new beginning generation of Wildebeests and a new cycle of life, as well as the beginning of the first journey for Wildebeest calves. The volcanic soils from the Ngorongoro Highlands also provides the mothers and babies with enough calcium especially during this very critical time in their life cycle.
By the end of the calving season, nearly half a million calves will have been born. The lush green plains turn into a wildebeest nursery and the bleating of the new calves fills the atmosphere. This is a great season to see huge herds of Wildebeests and other herbivores grazing together. It is not uncommon to witness the birthing process during this season. The sight of mothers licking their newborns and witnessing the newborns learning to stand on their wobbly legs is quite a sight to behold. The newborn calves are learning to take their first steps with each stumble and fall, they become better. And just within a few minutes, they are jumping and running all over in excitement. Their mothers will always be on the lookout for predators that may take an advantage of the unskilled new-born calves.
Mass Trekking to the North
As the dry season sets in at the end of April or the beginning of the month of May, the grass gets scanty and watering holes start drying; the herds are slowly influenced to trek towards the Central Serengeti, trekking the areas around the Moru Kopjes and Seronera region while others disperse to the northwestern region via the Serengeti Western Corridor and Grumeti Game Reserve.
The young calves have to quickly learn how to keep up with the rest of the herds and being vigilant on the predators. It is this phase that the migratory beats can also be observed moving in extraordinarily large herds, across the plains and the wooded – grasslands of this larger Serengeti – Maasai Mara Ecosystem.
River Crossings
One of the most iconic aspects of the migration occurs when the herds encounter rivers, particularly the Mara River. Wildebeests, along with zebras and other ungulates, must cross these rivers to reach the Maasai Mara. These river crossings are perilous, as they are often infested with crocodiles, and many animals perish during these crossings. As they embark on their journey north, they have to cross rivers in order to reach the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya. The first river they have to navigate is the Grumeti River on the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park. And they have to wade their way through crocodile-infested waters.
After braving the river crossing, they continue on their journey north until they arrive at their next major obstacle, the ranging Mara River. At this point, the huge herds of Wildebeests and Zebras converge near the river banks. They are nervous, but they have to gather the courage to navigate the strong currents and evade falling into the jaws of the hungry crocodiles underneath the deep waters. Driven by desire to survive and to arrive at the lush greener pastures of the Mara, these grazers start to make their way towards the steep river banks. As soon as the first Wildebeest jumps into the river, the rest start streaming into the water. All this time Crocodiles are calmly lying beneath the water, waiting on a chance to prey on the Wildebeests and Zebras.
The crossing can continually go on for a few minutes or hours depending on how dangerously these migratory animals perceive the crossing to be, at that specific point in time.
Migration in the Northern Serengeti
Between the mid – August and October, the Great Migration is in the northern parts of the Serengeti. Due the rains in these areas this time, the grass is greener and provides animals with better life up here. Some herds make to the other side of Mara River and get into Maasai Mara Reserve as well as the surrounding private wildlife conservancies on that side
During this time, the Great Migration can be viewed from either side of the two countries and the river crossing can happen at any time and day within the three months of it being up in the north. Some herds may bounce back and forth along the Mara River during this time, depending on the distribution and amount of in the area.
Southward Migration/ Return to Serengeti
As September approaches, the grass becomes scarce and Wildebeests and Zebras start making their way back to Tanzania. They have to face the Mara River once more. Mega herds start arriving on eastern plains before migrating to the southern plains of Serengeti for the calving season.
In conclusion
Throughout this migration, the wildebeest herds are accompanied by other grazers such as zebras and gazelles, forming a massive ecosystem on the move. This migration is crucial not only for the survival of the wildebeests but also for maintaining the health of the grasslands and supporting predator populations in the region.