Great wildebeest migration safari experience; Animal migration in East Africa

Great Africa animal/ wildebeest migration safari

Catch up with the great wildebeest migration safari on the world’s second longest overland migration of wildebeests, zebras and other ungulates. The complete wildebeests migration route is around 800 km (500 mi). South of this migration route covers the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where around half a million wildebeest are born between January and March. By March, at the beginning of the dry season, roughly 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras start to migrate north towards Masai Mara in Kenya. Common eland, plains zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeests. The relationship between the wildebeests and the zebras is that; zebras eat the tall grass exposing the short grass which are the wildebeests’ main focus.

The peak on the course of great wildebeest migration safari

In April and May, the migrating herds reach to the peak gathering when all the traversing ungulates (wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, topis, water bucks etc.) pass through Serengeti game park’s western Corridor. Migrating herds then head northwards to the Masai Mara game reserve after crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, where around 3,000 Nile crocodiles lie in wait. For every wildebeest captured by the crocodiles, 50 drown. When the dry season ends in late October, the migrating herds start to head back south to the Serengeti game park. Around 250,000 wildebeests and 30,000 plains zebras die annually from drowning, predation, exhaustion, thirst, or disease. Sceneries of these migrating herds are such a great phenomenon as its one of the world’s largest migration of mammal species.

Great wildebeest migration safari packages

Great wildebeest migration safari; animal migration cycle

January, February & March migration pattern- Serengeti game park

Over 2 million animals; wildebeests, zebras, gazelles etc. spend the first months of the year in the great plains of the Serengeti, feeding off the short grass and preparing for migration. Majority of wildebeest calves are born here in February, with around half a million new calves in the Serengeti that month. When pastures begin depleting in the Southern plains that include the Ngorongoro crater conservancy & southern Serengeti national park, the herds begin moving west in search for new pastures. Migrating herds move protecting their vulnerable calves from predators from like lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs that lay in waiting for prey. When short dry season sets in usually at the end of March, the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti begin to dry out and the wildebeests and zebras start to head towards the western woodlands.

April & May migration pattern- Serengeti to Masai Mara transition

April usually brings the first signs of the great wildebeest migration safari, with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest beginning their arduous journey across the western corridor before heading northwards. Herds move through the Ndoha and Dutwa plains, adjacent to the Mbalagweti River. Animals begin to pile up near the Mbalagweti and Grumeti Rivers, awaiting the crossing, a dangerous obstacle for the animals to the river native Nile crocodiles that are always lying in wait for food while lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs wait immediately at the river banks after the crossing.

June, July & August migration patterns- Masai Mara reserve

June is the start of the mating season and usually expect to see fierce fighting between competitive males/ bulls as they vie for the attention of females/ mates. By July, the migrating herds are into the fresh grass of the Masai Mara. Dramatic Mara river crossing is one of the most exciting events of the great wildebeest migration safari but the precise timing depends on the rains. During the course of this huge Africa animal migration, an estimated 250,000 wildebeest die – either from predator attacks, thirst, starvation or exhaustion. On reaching Masai Mara, the great wildebeest migration herds spread out joining other herbivores they’ve found in the park for example elephants, giraffes, kobs, elands among others.

September & October migration pattern- Masai Mara & return to Serengeti game park

During this time the immigrant wildebeest & zebra herds are in the Masai Mara of Kenya and go in search of fresh grass to graze. This is a wonderful time to be on safari in the Masai Mara. On the great wildebeest migration safari in October, the herds begin their long journey South back to the Serengeti following the new grass as new rains set in boosting growth of new pastures in the Serengeti national park. The great wildebeest migration herds once again go through the same obstacles of crocodile infested river crossings, hunting predators and the long journey.

November & December migration pattern- Serengeti N.P

Wildebeests, topis, antelopes and zebras are drawn back by the end of October to the plains of the southern Serengeti which are green and lush once more boosted by the new rains. Thereafter the wildebeests may begin to give birth and prepare to complete the migration cycle over again next year.

Make the best bookings for the great wildebeest migration safari in Kenya or Tanzania with Travitude safari tours.

Grumeti river Vs Mara river crossings on the great wildebeest migration

Grumeti river crossing in the western corridor of Serengeti national park near lake Victoria is a great highlight on the wildebeest migration experience. At this part in the park, the ungulate herds have gathered from allover Ngorongoro crater conservancy and the Serengeti plains and shows the first scenes of the mass wildebeests exodus. Grumeti river crossing/ exodus timing depends on rains and proceeds to the Masai Mara game reserve.

Mara river crossing on the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara river triangle with the river having several deep crossing areas, steep shores, rugged shores and infested with many Nile crocodiles and hippos that hunt the wildebeests, topis and zebras as they cross to the vast savannah Masai Mara wilderness. While on this safari game drives, you will also witness the ungulates struggling to survive other aggressive predators for example lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs. Along the wildebeest migration experience, you can also combine it with gorilla trekking, hot air balloon tours, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruises, hiking, golden monkeys tracking in an itinerary to have an adventure blast on Africa safari.

Safari lodges to stay at while on wildebeest migration safari

Safari lodges in Masai Mara game reserve: Mara Serena safari lodge, andBeyond Bateleur camps, Asilia Rekero camp, AA lodge Masai Mara, Talek bush camp, Mara legends camp, Mara Maisha camp, Mara Simba lodge, Sand river Masai Mara by Elewana, Fig Tree camp, Mara Plains camps, Mara Sweet Acacia lodge etc.

Safari lodges in Serengeti national park: andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti river lodge, Asilia Sayari camp, Dunia camp, Ubuntu migration camp, Olakira migration camp, Lemala Nanyukie lodge, Serengeti safari lodge, Serengeti Serena safari lodge, Four seasons safari lodge Serengeti, Suenos de Africa luxury camp, Anantya Serengeti, Serengeti Sametu etc.

7 days Grumeti & Mara river crossings on the wildebeest migration safari

July is the best time to catch up with both Grumeti and Mara river crossings when the last herds from Serengeti game park are crossing river Grumeti and early wildebeest migration crossing at the Sand river section of the Mara river. Start planning your safari itinerary for wildebeest migration tour along other safari experiences such as hot air balloon tours, Maasai culture, photography, birdwatching, horseback riding tours and more.

Highlights on the 7 days Grumeti & Mara wildebeest river crossings

Day 1; Transfer to Masai Mara game park
Day 2-3; Mara river wildebeests crossing and game drives
Day 4; transfer to Serengeti national park
Day 5-6; Grumeti wildebeests river crossings & game drives
Day 7; Departure

Detailed 7 days Grumeti & Mara river crossings; wildebeest migration safari

Mara river crossings

Day 1: After your arrival on this first day, you will transfer to Masai Mara game reserve with our driver and guide to your booked accommodation. If time permits, you will have a relaxing evening game drive.

Day 2-3: You will spend 2 days in Masai Mara game reserve for the wildebeest migration experience, wildlife tours and hot air balloon tours if on itinerary. Early in the morning, you’ll head to the shores of the Mara river at Sand river section where the first ungulate herds traverse into the Masai Mara savannah wilderness.

Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti national park’s western corridor at the Grumeti river.

Grumeti river crossing

Day 5-6: While in the Grumeti river corridor, you will wake up very early for morning game drives as you head out to Grumeti river banks to wait for wildebeest migration sightings yet to cross into the Serengeti northern plains. The rest of the day will get you at wilderness game drives and relaxation at your staycation lodge.

Day 7: Departure time and flights will determine when you may set off from the park.

Inclusions

Park entrance fees
All activities indicated on the itinerary
4×4 safari land-cruiser
Government taxes
Driver & guide
Airport transfers
Bottled drinking water

Exclusions

International flights
Travel insurance
Extra activities, meals, alcohol/ liquor
Any changes in the itinerary
Souvenirs & snacks
Tipping & gratitude
Anything not mentioned