Wildebeest Migration in masai mara
Wildebeest Migration in masai mara
Wildebeest Migration in masai mara : The Great Migration also called The Annual Wildebeest Migration is an annual movement of over 2 million wildebeests plus hundred thousands of zebras and gazelles in the Mara – Serengeti ecosystem, from Serengeti in Tanzania north wards into the adjoining Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya.
The Great Migration is one of the world’s most spectacular and thrilling display of wildlife behavior, the migration takes place every year and the animals’ movement is guided by their primal instincts guiding them towards the greener pasture following the climatic rain fall patterns over the Serengeti – Mara Eco system.
Wildebeest migration in Masai Mara national reserve takes place from the end of Mid- July when the herds enter into Maasai Mara before declining in Mid-September.
Along their annual journey, the herds encounter danger as they cross the Mara and Talek rivers which are infested with crocodiles, some of the herds lose their lives during the crossings. Also the herds are always followed by predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas who feast on them.
A GUIDE TO THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
As travelers plan to travel to Kenya for a wildebeest Migration Safari, there are many questions often asked which are related to the migration. Some of the commonly asked questions are answered below.
What time of the Year is the Wildebeest Migration?
Though the migration in Masai Mara national reserve typically starts in July and ends late September, the exact dates around this period are not predictable until first large wildebeest herds actually gather at the northern edge of Serengeti as they near the Mara.
The first group of the herds sometimes gathers at a spot for days without crossing over to Masai Mara, so when exactly the final leg of the movement starts. It is difficult to predict.
What is the best time to Visit Masai Mara to see the Migration?
Basing on the decades of experience, mid – July to late August are the best time to see the Migration in Masai Mara national reserve, keep in mind that the migration is a gradual event that takes place over several weeks at different locations along the Serengeti – Masa Mara border.
To narrow it further to what month is the best to see the migration, it would probably be August.
Where do the wildebeest migrate to and from?
The Movement of the wildebeests is from Serengeti national park in Tanzania into Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya, this movement is dictated by several factors such as climate, pasture and mating and calving season.
Note that the wildebeests migrate through the year in a generally clockwise direction covering vast areas reaching into Southern, Central and Western Serengeti before they cross into Masai Mara around July to August. Their journey back to Serengeti happens around late October, though this is less spectacular and more like a slow dispersal.
How do you see the Wildebeest Migration?
The wildebeest migration in Masai Mara national reserve can be seen during a safari game drive which is conducted in specialized vehicles and done by experienced driver – guides. Along the river, there are core points where the wildebeest cross and it may be necessary to access and station oneself at these points during a day – long game drive in the plains of Masai Mara. Also some of the lodges and camps are location about one hour’s drive from the ideal vintage points.
Most of the tourists who visit Masai Mara to see the Migration consider the River Crossing – The highlight of the Great Migration Tour and therefore want to spend enough time at these crossing points which tends to slightly vary each year while staying within a generally similar sub locality of the reserve.
MONTH BY MONTH WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
Most people think the Great Migration only happens once in a year, but the Great Migration is in fact an all year round phenomenon event thus offering different unique and exciting wildlife experiences at various times of the year.
The river crossing (Mara River Crossing) is one of the most sought for event of the migration by travelers, this event usually coincides with the peak safari season in Masai Mara national reserve which why many people assume that it is the only time of the year that the wildebeest are on the move or can be seen.
The Mara River Crossing usually occurs at Mara River around late July to August with some days of September and again around the last two weeks of October through early November as the herds are on their way back south. Hence being the times of the year to track and see the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara national reserve.
BREAK DOWN OF THE MIGRATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Note: The migration is difficult to predict as the movement of the herds is prompted by rain which can be early, late or on time.
DECEMBER TO APRIL
Depending on the rains, the herds can be seen in the South plains of Serengeti national park between Ndutu plains and Ngorongoro plains (Ngorongoro Conservation Area), the far south of Serengeti is the best place to visit in these months (December, January, February, March and April).
Around February, it is the calving season for the wildebeest offering high chances of witnessing the birth of thousands of wildebeest calves. The herds then move swiftly in search for favorable grasslands to provide sustenance for the arrival of the young. The predator interaction can be witnessed, lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas are attracted to the area to prey on the young and vulnerable calves.
End of March/ early April, the herds slowly move and begin their northward journey, many of these herds have left already and are in the central and even western Serengeti.
MAY TO JUNE
Majority of the herds seem to be moving north in search for fresh grazing and water, the herds usually move in huge columns of up to 40 kilometers in length and can be seen as the wildebeests funnel up into Central and Western Serengeti. The columns often contain hundreds of thousands of animals and are joined by many zebras, Thomson and Grant’s gazelles.
June marks the end of the rainy season in the region and this is traditionally the Grumeti River Crossing period, however this is mainly dependent on water level of the Grumeti River. This crossing is not quite as spectacular as the crossings of the Mara River.
JULY TO SEPTEMBER
It is in this period of the year when the big event occurs, the start of the major Mara River Crossing, the herds have reached the western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserve and are peering closely at the brown waters of the rivers they have to cross. In August, the survivors herd continue moving northwards into the northern Serengeti and begin crossing into Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve.
The herd breaks into smaller groups almost half of the animals remains in the northern Serengeti and the rest of the wildebeests will have crossed the Mara River, and the majority of the herds will be in the Great Masai Mara area feasting on the lush green grass, before venturing north towards the private conservancies of Mara North and Olare Orok.
This is usually the most preferred moments of the migration as you watch the frantic herds of the wildebeests crossing the Mara River.
OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER
The Wildebeest herds are migrating again with more accord, the herds are heading south, through western Loliondo and the Lobo area of Serengeti national park, returning to the green shoots.
The herds can be seen in the Kogatende area and Lamai – Northern Serengeti. Normally, the short rains have begun in November and the herds are now stationed in the Lobo, Mbuze Mawe and Seronera Valley area of Serengeti national park where there is abundant water.
Because of the fresh grazing, the wildebeest are seen clustered in the north – eastern Serengeti around Lobo in particular as well as the Southern Serengeti. The Calving begins again, the predators move in again and the cycle of life begins all over again.
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