Have you heard of Africa’s Race for Life before? If not, then you should consider watching the Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania, a long journey involving millions of wildebeests moving from Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. This 800 to 1000-kilometer movement starts from the southern end of the National Park with the birth of thousands of Calves from January to March, and ends in Masai Mara in December, and repeats the same cycle. The months of new life and action (such as river crossings) are the most dramatic, and you can’t afford to miss them.

Why does the Wildebeest Migration happen in Tanzania?

The Wildebeest Migration is one of the largest mammal migrations on Earth, and coincides with the greening of nutritious pastures/grasses on the short grass savannah Plains during the rainy season. Starting in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and southern Serengeti, this season and these areas are relatively safer because predators can easily be sighted, hence making it a perfect place for calving in the first three months of the year.

Nonetheless, the savannah plains eventually dry, and the animals, especially wildebeests, are forced to move in search of greener grasses in the western corridor. The northern edge of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem has the highest rainfall, but the grasses are the least nutritious. This is normally the retreat for migrating animals during the dry season, at least until the southern ends become green again. This results in a clockwise movement from southern Tanzania, towards the west, the central, North, and back to the south.

The year-to-year migration of over 2 million ungulates (about 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by herds of Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles and zebras) through Serengeti National Park is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles of its type in Africa, and perhaps the whole World.

Month-by-month explanation of the Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

As you are planning your Wildebeest Migration safari as part of your Tanzania safari, it is important to understand what happens in which month. However, it is important to note that only Mother Nature is the timer and can’t be predicted. Therefore, how do you ensure to be there when a particular event happens? In summary, you can’t guarantee the decision of when to visit Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park involves a certain element of risk.

Much as variations happen from year to year, the Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania follows a reasonably predictable annual cycle, which is dictated by local rainfall patterns. This movement goes as below;

December to April: Calving season

The area southeast of Seronera typically stretches from the Serengeti Plains, all the way to the Ndutu area close to Ngorongoro is the main calving area. The short rains in November and December trigger the movement to this area, and Wildebeests remain in these areas until the end of the long rains, in early May.

The fascinating news is that this area of Serengeti National Park is easily accessible, and the landscape becomes verdant green during this period. The Calving season in the Ndutu area and southeastern Plains is in February, hence making it the best time to explore the area. The best places to stay during the Calving season include Kichakani Serengeti Camp, Serian Serengeti South Camp, Mwiba Lodge, Dunia Camp, Serengeti under Canvas, Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp, and One Nature Nyaruswiga Camp, Mwiba Lodge, Ubuntu Migration Camp, among others.

May to July: Rutting (breeding) and Onset of the movement

Having feasted on the short, green, and nutritious grasses of southeastern Serengeti and after having calves, the wildebeests begin getting ready for their 800 to 1000-kilometer-long journey. No one knows the actual starting date, but it is anytime between late April and early June, hence making it the ideal time to see one of the greatest natural phenomena on Earth.

Here, thousands of moving animals in a column up to 40 kilometers long start moving towards the western corridor, where they will face their first major challenge, which is crossing the River Grumeti. Most animals, especially the young and weak, don’t survive this crossing as they are ambushed by oversized crocodiles that are ready to feast. Herds may gather on the southern banks of the River and remain there for up to 14 days before crossing the River. Some of the recommended accommodation options during these months are Serengeti Sojourn Camp and many others.

The Wildebeest Migration from August to September: River crossings.

After overcoming the challenge of crossing River Grumeti, huge herds begin moving northwards and prepare to cross their next big obstacle, which is River Mara between July and August. This river crossing is the most phenomenal and dramatic, and after crossing, animals move to the Northwestern plains as well as Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve.

It is sad to say, but these months are considered the least favorite for watching the wildebeest migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, as the herds have moved to Kenya’s Masai Mara. Interestingly, smaller herds of wildebeests stay behind. The best places to stay during the river crossing months include andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Serengeti Bushtops, Nyasi Migrational Camp, Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Serengeti Sojourn Camp, and many others.

The Wildebeest Migration in October and November: On the move.

Crossing the spectacular River Mara northbound means that, at some point, herds need to cross the river one more time before starting the trek back in a southerly direction. This takes place in October, or even earlier, and involves herds crossing the northern Plains as well as the Lobo area. The Northern plains and Lobo areas of Serengeti National Park are the least-explored for the wildebeest migration; hence, if you are looking for a more secluded experience, this is the perfect place to be.

Animals head back to the short-grass plains, and the calving ground around Ndutu happens in late November, marking the beginning of the wildebeest migration in Tanzania. The best places to stay during these months include Sayari Camp, Kuria Hills Lodge, Klein’s Camp, Serian’s Serengeti North, Ubuntu Migration Camp, Nyasi Migrational Camp, Serengeti Sojourn Camp, and many others.