The Great Migration in Tanzania: The Ultimate Guide
When you hear someone mention "Tanzania" or "Serengeti," what comes to mind? Vast, rolling plains, teeming with wildlife, as far as the eye can see? Well, imagine millions of animals - wildebeest, zebras and gazelles - on the move, heading across the grasslands, stampeding across rivers. Truly, the Great Migration in Tanzania is a marvel of nature that you should experience at least once in your lifetime.
Wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists from around the globe travel to the region each year--joining hundreds of thousands of tourists traveling to the Serengeti to witness the staggeringly epic Great Migration of Tanzania.
Ever wondered what the Great Migration is, why this continuous movement happens, and where the herds migrate to? And, if you are planning to explore Tanzania on safari, you would likely want to know the best time to witness this event and how to make the best of it. Worry not. Here is the ultimate guide that answers all your questions about the Great Migration in Tanzania.
What is the Great Migration of Tanzania?
Throughout the year, millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other animals, primarily zebras and gazelles, undertake a perilous journey from the southern region of the Serengeti National Park and the Ndutu Plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area north across the plains. They will continue moving clockwise, crossing rivers to the west and north, feeding in lush valleys and green pastures, before heading south, back to their starting point, on a relentless search for food and water.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is the largest land animal migratory event anywhere in the world. Each year, wildebeest will cover over 1000 kilometers on their migratory route.
Locally called gnus by the native Africans, wildebeest are ubiquitous across eastern Africa, roaming around and through Tanzania and Kenya.
Belonging to the family Bovidae, wildebeest are related to bison, buffaloes, and antelopes. With their skinny hindlegs fronted by a rectangular head with two upward curving horns, and a broad, muscular chest and shoulders, a wildebeest can grow to eight feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds.
Related Reads: 10 Facts About the Great Wildebeest Migration
Why do the Wildebeest Migrate?
Wildebeest are herbivores and lead a nomadic lifestyle, feeding on the lush grasses of the African savannah, continually on the move in search of water and nutrient-rich vegetation.
Their migration cycle begins in the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu plains of the Ngorongoro conservation area. The wildebeest gather here in the multitudes as the short rainy season of November and December brings forth abundant new grass. The main reason the herds congregate around here is because the soil is rich in phosphorus and thus provides a healthy source of food for the herd, especially for mothers giving birth. This marks the calving season of the Great Migration. A time when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth, increasing their population to over two million animals.
The animals stay as long as there is food, allowing the calves to grow and gather strength. But by April, they're usually on the move, out of food as the spring rains flood the area. The herd heads slowly northward, some branching to the west, some continuing north, facing brutal river crossings as they cycle through the region in constant search of food.
Where Do They Migrate?
When the new year dawns, the wildebeest herds congregate in the southern Serengeti during calving season. By spring, the wildebeest are moving northwest, from the Ndutu plains towards the western corridors of the Serengeti until they gather and press together along the river banks of the Grumeti River. This is also the wildebeest rutting season, when males fight for dominance. It is a remarkably noisy and remarkably violent but fascinating time of year, as patches of prime grazing are fought over by testosterone pumped bulls. The herds migrating along the western corridor will cross the Grumeti River while the herds moving north will pass through Central Serengeti. They all meet up north, mostly in the Kogatende area of the Serengeti where they cross the mighty Mara River. Those that make it through this impossibly dangerous river crossing will move into Kenya to feed in the green pastures of the Masai-Mara ecosystem before they return.
The herds congregate and drift apart throughout the migration, but all are flowing clockwise, following the rains with the promise of green grass and fresh water back south to start the cycle again.
When and Where Can I Experience the Best of the Great Migration?
The Great Migration is a year-round event, with the wildebeest starting and ending their journey in the south. To get the most enjoyment out of your safari experience, determine what events or places are the most important to you before deciding when to go.
Is it the Calving Season that you don't want to miss? It is hard for anyone to grasp the scale of this event, viewing millions of animals, densely packed and spread across the plains. You're in for a treat if you visit Tanzania from January to March. The Ndutu plains of the southern Serengeti ecosystem are the best place to see wildebeest calves being born and learning to walk and run in just a few minutes! Of course, it's all fraught with peril as the males of the herd encircle the females and the calves, desperately trying to fight off attacks from big cats and other predators.
As April and May approach, Tanzania experiences heavy rainfall. The herds moving west reach the Grumeti River sometime late in May. You can get a good view of the migration from the river banks in the western corridor of the Serengeti as the animals arrive and prepare to cross.
From July to August, the wildebeest arrive at the Mara River and begin to pack in along the edges until, forced to cross, they stampede, running for their lives.They will continue to cross back and forth until October.
These river crossings pose the greatest threat for the migration as the wildebeest fight for survival against big cats waiting on shore and crocodiles in the water. The Mara River is deadly for tens of thousands of animals, as many of them drown, get injured and/or die from predation. The Kogatende area, close to the border of Kenya, is a great place to view this stark tableau. These river crossings capture nature at its most raw and unforgiving.
Wildebeest are fascinating and mesmerizing creatures, but not much is known about them. Here are some interesting facts about these amazing animals:
Interesting Facts about Wildebeest
Interesting facts about Wildebeest
When the Dutch first colonized Africa, they saw a peculiar animal that resembled wild cattle, so they called them Wildebeest, which means “wild beast” in Dutch.
An average herd consists of about 150-300 male and female wildebeest. This strength in numbers provides protection from predators during migration.
Wildebeest are one of the largest members of the Antelope family that can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh over 600 pounds.
Wildebeest take part in the Great Migration from the moment they are born. They continue their migration every year throughout their 20-year lifespan.
Newborn calves learn to walk and run within minutes of their birth to join their mothers in the constant movement of the migration.
Wildebeest usually migrate either during the early morning or early afternoon. They rest at night and when the temperatures are hot.
Wildebeest have a symbiotic relationship with zebras. Zebras nibble the top of the grass, while wildebeest prefer the bottom juicy grass and roots. Zebras have a great sense of direction, while wildebeest have a strong sense of smell and can detect water sources.
Wrapping Up
The Great Migration of Tanzania is a magnificent marvel of nature. To witness this special event at any point along the way, watching hundreds of thousands of animals moving across vast plains can be a life-altering, unforgettable experience.
If The Great Migration in Tanzania is an adventure you don't want to miss, feel free to contact us for more information. We'll work with you to plan a safari for the right place and time to fit your budget and exceed your expectations!