Wildebeest Migration Cycle In The Serengeti
The wildebeest migration cycle in the Serengeti refers to the movement of vast numbers of wildebeest accompanied by large numbers of zebras, gazelles and eland in an annual pattern.
This migration covers the Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Grumeti Game Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Loliondo Game Controlled Area.
The wildebeest move in a huge anti-clockwise direction, therefore, you need to understand the migration concentration in the above places before you plan your journey.
All this wild animals migrate constantly throughout the year for over 1,800 miles in search of ripened grass and better quality water.
The wildebeest journey is an endless pilgrimage which has no real beginning or end.
The migration cycle in the endless Serengeti plains entirely depend on the rainfall pattern each year.
The short rains in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation area begins in the month of November and the animals migrate to feed on the short grass late November to December.
They graze on the ripened grass between January to March.
Many wildebeest calves are born at Ndutu and Salei plains.
This calving period attracts many predators such as the lion, leopard, cheetah and the hyena who take advantage of the new-born calves.
Many calves are killed but still others survive.
When the grass can hardly sustain the countless herds of animals, they move further to the long grass in the Western corridor of Serengeti near lake Victoria where heavy rainfall has set in.
This movement takes place between the months of April to May.
The masses of wildebeest and zebras exhaust the long grass by end of May and they migrate further North into the Ikorongo Game Controlled Area and Masai Mara.
The month of May to June marks the breeding time.
The months of July, August, September and October marks the onset of the greatest world wildebeest migration spectacle especially as they cross the dangerous Mara river.
Regardless of the attack from the hungry crocodiles and the predators of the Savannah, the animals must cross the Mara river due to starvation.
As they complete feeding on the grass on the Masai Mara, the rains start falling in the Serengeti and the animals start their journey back to feed on the nutritious grass of the Southern plains.
One thing you need to know is, the Serengeti Masai Mara migration is a natural event and the timing varies month by month, year by year.
This migration covers the Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Grumeti Game Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Loliondo Game Controlled Area.
The wildebeest move in a huge anti-clockwise direction, therefore, you need to understand the migration concentration in the above places before you plan your journey.
All this wild animals migrate constantly throughout the year for over 1,800 miles in search of ripened grass and better quality water.
The wildebeest journey is an endless pilgrimage which has no real beginning or end.
The migration cycle in the endless Serengeti plains entirely depend on the rainfall pattern each year.
The short rains in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation area begins in the month of November and the animals migrate to feed on the short grass late November to December.
They graze on the ripened grass between January to March.
Many wildebeest calves are born at Ndutu and Salei plains.
This calving period attracts many predators such as the lion, leopard, cheetah and the hyena who take advantage of the new-born calves.
Many calves are killed but still others survive.
When the grass can hardly sustain the countless herds of animals, they move further to the long grass in the Western corridor of Serengeti near lake Victoria where heavy rainfall has set in.
This movement takes place between the months of April to May.
The masses of wildebeest and zebras exhaust the long grass by end of May and they migrate further North into the Ikorongo Game Controlled Area and Masai Mara.
The month of May to June marks the breeding time.
The months of July, August, September and October marks the onset of the greatest world wildebeest migration spectacle especially as they cross the dangerous Mara river.
Regardless of the attack from the hungry crocodiles and the predators of the Savannah, the animals must cross the Mara river due to starvation.
As they complete feeding on the grass on the Masai Mara, the rains start falling in the Serengeti and the animals start their journey back to feed on the nutritious grass of the Southern plains.
One thing you need to know is, the Serengeti Masai Mara migration is a natural event and the timing varies month by month, year by year.
