Great Wildebeest Migration

The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania.

The Great Migration, as it is also called, is the Blue Wildebeest Migration, which is one of the greatest wildlife occurrences on the earth. Each year, hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelopes are followed by over 1.5 million blue wildebeests in a constant circular motion through the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara of Kenya in search of the grass to graze on and reliable water supplies. It is an incredible free mass of nature and drama, which can provide a traveller with memorable memories of the safari and a chance to experience the naked heart of the African wild.

The migration is not a one-day event; it is more like a cycle that takes place throughout the year and is guided by the rains and regrowth of grasslands. The Blue Wildebeest Migration can be viewed in every phase as awe-inspiring, with its calving season in the Southern Serengeti and the life-threatening river crossings across the Grumeti and Mara Rivers being some of the most desired safari experiences in Tanzania.

The Incredible Journey At The Serengeti Ecosystem.

The Serengeti ecosystem is an area of almost 30,000 square kilometres, which is not only boundless plains, acacia woodlands and rocky outcrops, which characterise its sheer beauty. Migration starts in December to March in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu region, whereby huge herds assemble to deliver their calves. It has a daily growth of more than 8,000 newborn calves, which are added to the herds, thus turning the plains into a nursery full of life. It is also a time when the predators are on such high alert, as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards get to exploit the defenceless ones.

The rains cease in the months of April and May, and the herds make a long trek northwest in the direction of the Grumeti region, through the Seronera Valley. It changes over to green, undulating scenery flanked by forests on the banks of rivers, thus providing the traveller with the best vantage point of watching grazing animals as far as the eye can see. It is a very gradual, decided flow, the wildebeests being seen in serpentine lines stretching along the horizon.

Drama River Crossings: The Ultimate Test For Nature.

Between June and August are the most dramatic months, as the huge herds of animals come to the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. The confrontations are a life-and-death battle where instinct, fear and survival come into play. Crocodiles are there under the surface of the water; crocodiles are there on the banks. The force of thousands upon thousands bulging forward is as noisy and adrenaline-inducing an experience as any in the wild.

The river crossing is believed to be the best part of the safari for many of the travellers. It is the sight of the thousands of wildebeest all standing fearfully on the riverbank, and then, filled with nervousness, one small brave creature jumps in the water, and the whole herd charges in a wild, frenzied rush. The stamping of feet, the splashing of the water, and the grunts of the animals are so great and so deep that one cannot forget the sight of the plains.

Crossings may occur at any of the points along the Mara River, and they are not predictable. There are crossings that are a few minutes long and other crossings that are several hours long that make every safari adventure exciting and mysterious. This level of uncertainty is one of the factors that makes the Blue Wildebeest Migration really thrilling.

The Journey Back and the Circle of Life without End.

The herds began their migration back to Tanzania once the rains had subsided, and they began to graze at the Maasai Mara around October and November, after weeks of grazing. By December, the cycle returns to the original starting point with the wildebeests increasing in the Ndutu plains so as to calve and start the process of survival and renewal. It is a cyclical process in which there is no definite start and end to the migration process, which is the rhythm and harmony of the wild African heart.

The Blue Wildebeest Migration is a phenomenon that is best witnessed at a certain time of the year in Tanzania.

The migration may be observed all throughout the year in various parts of the Serengeti, which implies that the tourists have an opportunity to schedule their safari according to their preferences.

The optimum time for finding calving season around Ndutu and Southern Serengeti is from late December to March. It suits perfectly photographers and people who love predatory activities and newborns.

The main Serengeti experiences huge grazing and violent predator actions during the months of April to June when the animals relocate to the north.

The peak seasons in the Western corridor and the Grumeti River region are in June and July and have provided great opportunities to see spectacular river crossings.

The Northern Serengeti and the Mara River crossings are glowing during the late months of July to October, which provide the most iconic migration scenes.

When the herds return to the south in November, the visitor is presented with some breathtaking views of travelling through the vast open plains.

The Great Migration: Why the Great Migration Is a Must-See Safari Experience.

Watching wildlife is not only a case of observing wildlife in the Blue Wildebeest Migration. It is witnessing the natural phenomenon that created the ecosystems thousands of years ago. The migration helps the predators; the landscapes stay healthy, and it is evidence of the strength of instinct and community amongst the species.

The emotional impression cannot be denied. Most of the time, the travellers are moved, inspired and humbled by the magnitude of what they see. Whether it is the sunrise game drive through the golden grasslands or a close-up of predators in the hunt, it is an adventure full of adventure and potential.

Hotels to visit during migration in Tanzania.

The lodges and mobile tented camps are well placed on the route of the migration, meaning that they are at the most strategic positions where the most important areas of viewing are. Mobile camps follow the herds on a seasonal presence that is an interesting and authentic Tanzania safari experience taken to the field. Luxury lodges have comfort, panorama and world-class hospitality to offer to the travellers who are seeking exclusivity and at the same time enjoy the world adventure of wilderness.

Early booking is highly recommended, especially in the peak seasons such as the one from July to October, when the river crossings attract tourists from all over the globe.

Migration Safari Planning.

The most fulfilling migration safari is one that is organised by a well-established Tanzania tour operator that is knowledgeable of the movements of the herds and the optimal places to be at various times of the year. The majority of the tourists begin their visits in the safari capital of Tanzania, Arusha, and include the Serengeti with other classic sights like Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.

Regardless of whether one is on a budget or a luxurious trip, there are choices in either style of the traveller, whether one can indulge in a guided safari privately or with a group or a photographic safari.

See the Greatest Wildlife Shows on the Planet.

The Blue Wildebeest Migration is a safari experience that should feature at the top of the list for everyone who loves wildlife. It is a magnificent piece of nature, a journey to remember the survival experience and a magical presentation of the beauty of wild animals in Tanzania. It is an experience that you would never forget because you can see more than a million animals stamping their feet across the plains, fighting off predators and rivers in one of the most thrilling natural performances on the face of the planet.

Begin planning your trip to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and with your own eyes, see the Blue Wildebeest Migration. Desire to see the heart-thumping river crossings or the heart-wrenching calving season; there is not a stage that will not be a life-altering safari. It is time to make the journey come true.