The great Wildebeest Migration the annual migration of giant herds of grazers across Northen Tanzania and Kenya is a truly spectacular event. Over two million wildebeest, Zebras and gazelles move through the Serenegeti and Maasai mara ecosystems in search of greet pasture in a regular pattern.
The great Migration of the Serengeti is considered one of the ten wonders of the Natural World and one of the best events in Tanzania to witness. A truly awe-inspiring spectacle of life in an expansive ecosystem ruled by rainfall and urge for survival amongst the herbivores of the serengeti plains.
Wildebeest Migration-December to march
Vast herds of herbivores spend the rainy season in the volcanic open plains below the ngorongoro crater and in the Southern Serengeti where the grass growth is most productive with high nutrient content. This area is the starting point for one of the great wonders of the world: the Serengeti anual wildebeestt migration. As the sea of grass provides little cover and the young are easy pickings for variety of predators, wildebeest have therefore evolved synchronized birthing, which means, about 90% of calves are born within three week period. With such a sudden and massive surge of available food, predators,do not make any significant dent in the newborn calf population.Wildebeest calves can run minutes after they are born. Withi three days the calves are strong enough to keep up with the herd.
Wildebeest Migration April to May
As the grass is depleted in the Southern Serengeti the herds move to the plains and woodlands of the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. For the Migrants there is high mortality rate due to injury and perhaps fatigue, so large number of griffon vultures follow the herds of their journey. Northwest from the short grass plains is the Grumet River. This watercourse is their real first obstacle and gigantic. Nile crocodiles (growing up to 6 meters in length) are waiting for the hesitant wildebeest to scrumble at the crossing. Their livelihood are inextricably linked with the great migration. Moving with surprising stealth and speed, they prey upon the thirsty herds as they drink from and cross the river.
Wildebeest migration -June
Following the rainfalls, the wildebeest migration moves north before crossing the kenyan border into the Masai Mara. Nothing stops the stampeding hordes. Here again, they must across a river, this time the Mara with its flotillas of hungry crocodiles.All is far from peaceful, for it is the rutting season and each male tries to establish a stamping ground. After moving westwards, the migration divides by some uncanny instinct, one group turning northeast and the other due north .
Wildebeest migration -July, August, September, October
The mass of growing grunting wildebeests remain on the productive Mara grasslands until October or November during a time when the rest of ecosystem is simply too dry to support them. And then, as the storm clouds gather in the south, the vast herds return to their breeding grounds, which, by the time they arrive, are once again green and lush.
Wildebeest migration -November
The mass of grunting wildebeest remain on the productive Mara grasslands until October or November during a time when the rest of ecosystem is simply too dry to support them. And then, as the storm.
