Can I miss the wildebeest migration?
Every year, the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem sees a massive movement of hoofed animals in their relentless search for greener grazing grounds. Nature lovers around the world crave this epic mammal migration. Dubbed as the Great Migration, this spectacular natural event features wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, totaling up to 2 million, and is the drawcard for many visitors coming to the Serengeti.
Its unpredictability, however, raises doubts in some travelers whose main drive is to catch it. This unpredictability dictates its rawness and purest form since the animals have been migrating for a million years. But can you really miss this spectacular event? No, at least not everything. And we are here to address this question.
What you can miss and why
Grumeti crossings
Between June and July, animals gather at the Grumeti River ready to cross it. Though they aren’t famous, Grumeti River crossings deserve attention because they’re remote and uncrowded.
However, to spot one, timing is important; otherwise, you’ll miss them. Here, the animals cross the river from early June to July (depending on the season) and some head into the Grumeti Reserve, while others go straight north via Lobo.
Mara River crossings.
This is the first thing many visitors miss due to several reasons, one being poor planning of their itinerary, and the other being that the wildebeest have their clocks.
The animal migration usually reaches the Mara River between late June and July (this depends on the rainfall pattern). Animals do not cross the river on the same day or straightforwardly. Instead, they may stay on the banks for months. That said, the Mara River crossings last from July to September (and may extend to October in some seasons).
Therefore, if you plan to spot a crossing in just a day, it might not happen. But sometimes, with luck, two crossings may happen: they may cross and return. If you happen to be there, then you’ve got it.
How to avoid missing the Great Migration river crossing
Stay longer.
Staying for so long can increase your chances of witnessing a river crossing. Visitors who spend 2 or 3 days at a nearby lodge or camp have great chances of watching this dramatic scene.
Plan your tour with a trustworthy tour operator.
Sometimes, misleading information from some dishonest operators may cause you to miss the river crossings. But there’s hope. We guide hundreds of visitors to watch the wildebeest migration every year. At least we tell them the truth about what to expect based on their timeline and recent updates on the Great Migration. So, you can trust us.
And what you can’t miss
Seeing large migration herds.
Actually, the animals move in big herds, sweeping across the plains. Therefore, seeing large wildebeest herds grazing or trekking in the plains is a sure thing no matter the time of your visit. However, you’ll have to travel in a specific direction where the herd is located. For example:
The migration is in the south between December and March. It moves to the central part (Seronera) between April and May, then to the Western Corridor between June and July.
From August to October, the migrating animals reach the northern part and enter the Masai Mara. In November, the migration is on the eastern plains heading to the south.
Though there may occur slight changes depending on the season, we can guarantee you won’t miss seeing migration herds at any time of your visit.
Calving season.
From December to March, the wildebeest give birth to half a million new lives in the greener short-grass plains of the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. A typical day may welcome up to 8,000 calves into the predator-infested, kopje-dotted southern plains.
This is another scene you won’t miss if your trip falls between December and March. Young animals are adorable and stunning to watch, and there’s not much effort to find them. A few visitors come to the Serengeti this year, allowing you to enjoy the scene on your own and at the best price.
Predatory movements are a common sight during this time. As mother wildebeest bring their very own calves, predators also bring their very own cubs because there’s abundant prey. You can watch a lioness in action or a pack of African wild dogs doing their unique ‘pack hunting’ style to bring down a large game like a wildebeest.
Serengeti Beyond the Great Migration
Serengeti has much to offer beyond the Great Migration thriller. Any time you visit it, we are sure you’ll enjoy encounters with wildlife. Therefore, if you miss your favorite part of the migration, you can still see the following.
The Big Five.
All the big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – are present in the Serengeti. It’s one of the top parks in Africa where you can watch all five animals in their natural habitats.
The Seronera area of Central Serengeti is perfect for searching for lions, leopards, buffalo, and elephants, especially in the valley and along the Seronera River. Rhinos are common in the Moru Kopjes, southwest of Seronera.
The Big Cats.
The Seronera is home to the largest concentration of big cats. Therefore, it’s no coincidence that visitors call it the Big Cat Capital of the world. It’s a place you can watch lions, leopards, and cheetahs with less effort. Just sit tight in your open safari jeep, scan the plains, kopjes, or look into acacia trees, then boom.
The other animals.
Serengeti hosts many other animals that do not fall into these two categories. In every game drive, there are many animals to tick off the bucket list. Here, you can see giraffes, elands, impalas, bushbucks, reedbucks, hartebeest, hyenas, crocodiles, bat-eared foxes, hippos, jackals, and more.
The Serengeti birds
Serengeti is also a haven for birdwatchers. It boasts over 500 species of birds across its diverse habitats. You can spot birds like secretary birds, ostriches, ground hornbills, vultures, storks, cranes, and helmet shrikes.
The bottom line
We are here to help you watch the dramatic scene of the wildebeest migration. We do our best when we know your timeline because we can advise accordingly on what you should expect. You can trust us with your migration safari. If you’re ready to explore the Serengeti, contact our expert safari planners for a free quote.
