What is the Wildebeest Great Migration?
The Wildebeest Great Migration is a massive, ongoing movement of more than two million wildebeest, joined by about 20,000 zebras, gazelles, and other grazing animals, traveling between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. They move in search of fresh grass and clean water, following the changing seasons. Covering more than 3,000 kilometers every year, this migration is considered one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World” and attracts travelers from all over the globe.
The migration is driven by the rains. When the short rains fall in November and December, the herds move toward the southern Serengeti, where the grass is rich and plentiful. By February and March, it’s calving season — over 400,000 baby wildebeest are born within just a few weeks, drawing predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Around April, as the plains dry up, the animals head north, passing through woodlands, rivers, and open plains.
What is the Wildebeest Great Migration?
The Wildebeest Great Migration is a massive, ongoing movement of more than two million wildebeest, joined by about 20,000 zebras, gazelles, and other grazing animals, traveling between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. They move in search of fresh grass and clean water, following the changing seasons. Covering more than 3,000 kilometers every year, this migration is considered one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World” and attracts travelers from all over the globe.
The migration is driven by the rains. When the short rains fall in November and December, the herds move toward the southern Serengeti, where the grass is rich and plentiful. By February and March, it’s calving season — over 400,000 baby wildebeest are born within just a few weeks, drawing predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Around April, as the plains dry up, the animals head north, passing through woodlands, rivers, and open plains.
What Makes It Special?
Unlike what many people think, the migration is not a single event but a continuous cycle that takes place all year round in a clockwise loop. Each time of year offers a different experience:
December to March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti, with plenty of predator action.
April to June: The herds move toward the western corridor, crossing the Grumeti River, where large crocodiles wait.
July to October: The famous Mara River crossing in northern Serengeti and Masai Mara — one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the world.
Wildebeest and zebras travel together, each benefiting from the other’s senses and grazing habits. Zebras eat the tougher grass, making it easier for wildebeest to feed on the softer shoots that grow afterward. Following closely behind are around 3,000 lions, along with leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and scavengers like vultures.
The Mara River crossing is the most famous scene of the migration. It’s a moment of chaos — animals face strong currents, slippery banks, and predators like crocodiles and hippos. Not all survive, but those that do reach the lush grasslands of the Masai Mara, where they regain strength before starting the cycle again.
It’s more than just animal movement — it’s a story of survival, instinct, and the delicate balance of nature, making it one of the greatest wildlife experiences on Earth.
What Makes It Special?
Unlike what many people think, the migration is not a single event but a continuous cycle that takes place all year round in a clockwise loop. Each time of year offers a different experience:
December to March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti, with plenty of predator action.
April to June: The herds move toward the western corridor, crossing the Grumeti River, where large crocodiles wait.
July to October: The famous Mara River crossing in northern Serengeti and Masai Mara — one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the world.
Wildebeest and zebras travel together, each benefiting from the other’s senses and grazing habits. Zebras eat the tougher grass, making it easier for wildebeest to feed on the softer shoots that grow afterward. Following closely behind are around 3,000 lions, along with leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and scavengers like vultures.
The Mara River crossing is the most famous scene of the migration. It’s a moment of chaos — animals face strong currents, slippery banks, and predators like crocodiles and hippos. Not all survive, but those that do reach the lush grasslands of the Masai Mara, where they regain strength before starting the cycle again.
It’s more than just animal movement — it’s a story of survival, instinct, and the delicate balance of nature, making it one of the greatest wildlife experiences on Earth.
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