A single wildebeest, seen grazing alone on the savannah, probably won’t knock your socks off in the way an elephant or giraffe would. They’re strangely-built creatures, distant cousins of the antelope but without the nimble grace; they’re top-heavy, long-faced, hairy, and their cry is a guttural honk. It is exceedingly rare, however, to see a single wildebeest. They are herd animals, and at various points over the course of a year, as they continue their unending odyssey around the Serengeti in search of fresh grass, the herds coalesce into a megaherd, one and a half million strong, ambling in grunting, dusty columns stretching from horizon to horizon. The Great Wildebeest Migration: now that will knock your socks off.
Below, we’ll take a look at what exactly the Great Wildebeest Migration is, why it happens, what its impact is – and most importantly, when and where you can see the Earth’s greatest wildlife spectacle.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: What is it, and why does it occur?
Many species migrate. Some travel south for the winter, others travel back to their breeding grounds to reproduce. For the wildebeest of East Africa, however, migration is not an occasional event: it’s a colossal, looping journey without any beginning or end, and a crucial way of life in the harsh conditions of the Serengeti.
There are more wildebeest than any other species of mammal on the plains of Tanzania and Kenya, and they breed rapidly; often females become pregnant almost immediately after having just given birth. This constant exertion means they need a huge amount of nutrient-rich grass, forcing them to follow the rains around East Africa, moving with the seasons.
What is the impact of the Great Wildebeest Migration?
The Great Wildebeest Migration is an impossibly large-scale event with 1.5 million wildebeest covering 1,750 miles, and it causes an incredible chain reaction across the plains. The vast herd, grazing as they move, keep the grasses of the savannah short, which reduces the likelihood of bushfires. This in turn gives trees the chance to grow, and insects the chance to flourish.
The manure left behind as the herd moves across the continent fertilises the earth, and the nutrient-rich soil enables dense, healthy grass to grow, which provides food for other species in the area, such as zebra and antelope. And, of course, there’s the herd itself: an enormous roving buffet for the thousands of lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and vultures that prowl the savannah. Wherever the herd roams, fangs and claws are never too far behind.
When and where is the best time to see the Great Wildebeest Migration?
Given that the migration is a year-round event, technically you could fly out any time of year to see the spectacle. However, the events you can witness will vary with the seasons, so it’s best to decide what kind of experience you want before booking flights. Here’s an overview of the herd’s epic journey and its most beautiful and intense viewing highlights.
Rainy seasons: March - June, October - November
January to March: Southern Serengeti, Ngorongoro conservation area
Mating season for wildebeest is from May to July, which means the birthing season falls from January to March. All across the jaw-dropping open landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – newly born wildebeest take their first teetering steps under the watchful eyes of their mothers. Of course, the vulnerability of the herd at this stage also attracts a lot of predators, making the early part of the year a prime time for seeing some of the world’s most powerful mammals in stalking prey in the long grasses.
Best spot: The Ndutu plains’ open landscape gives amazing visibility.
Key moments: Calving season, predators in action on the plains.
April to May: Central Serengeti to Western Corridor, Seronera
The parts of the migration with the most cinematic moments – the calving season and the river crossings – naturally attract the most tourists. The stretch along the Western Corridor is less eventful, passing through the Seronera area, and sees much lower numbers of tourist jeeps. That said, it still promises substantial numbers of wildebeest and reliable sightings. It’s a good choice if your primary concern is minimising the number of other humans present on your safari outing.
Best spot: Seronera, famed for year-round wildlife and permanent water sources.
Key moments: Watching the herd under more relaxed circumstances.
June to July: Grumeti River, Western Serengeti
The wildebeests’ great odyssey requires them to make several river crossings. These crossings are incredibly dramatic and beautiful. With hundreds of thousands of wildebeest stampeding desperately across the cloudy waters of the crocodile-infested Grumeti River, nature photographers will be in awe.
Best spot: Grumeti River.
Best moment: Seeing the megaherd leaping from the banks into the water.
July to August: Northern Serengeti, Maasai Mara
The Mara River crossing is the big one – the most famous, cinematic moment of the Great Wildebeest Migration, and the one featured in countless nature documentaries. As the megaherd moves north towards Kenya, the Mara River is the last major river crossing before the herd reaches the rich grasslands of the Maasai Mara.
It’s a spectacular sight: thousands of zebras and wildebeest thundering down the riverside, kicking up dust clouds, before leaping from the bank into waters infested with crocodiles and hippos. The danger doesn’t let up on the far bank, however; entire prides of lions lie in wait for weary wildebeest wandering from the herd.
Best spot: Mara River
Best moment: The incredible drama of the river crossings.
September to October: Northern Serengeti & Maasai Mara
Herds linger around the Maasai Mara plains for several weeks, recovering their strength and grazing while more wildebeest herds arrive after the river crossing. Wildlife is rich and varied on the plains, and many well-established tourist camps are in the area.
Best spots: Kogatende (Tanzania), Maasai Mara (Kenya)
Best moment: With the river close by and abundant grasslands, wildlife numbers are at their peak.
November to December: Eastern & Southern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
As the rainy season begins in Tanzania, the many hundreds of wildebeest head back south, congregating in enormous gatherings in advance of the calving season. The Ndutu area comes alive with green as the rains rejuvenate the grasslands, and the herd has a period of relative calm (not complete calm, mind you – predators are never too far behind) after the perils of their year-long journey. Soon enough, they’ll set off to do it all over again.
Best spots: Ndutu plains, Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Best moment: The herd’s return to the calving grounds.
If you’d like to experience the awe, emotion and incredible ruggedness of one of Earth’s truly wild places, we have multiple safari tours on offer, including 6-day, 10-day and 11-day safari options, taking in several key moments of this epic journey, as well as many other spectacular natural and cultural scenes around the Serengeti. Adventure awaits!