The wildebeest migration in Kenya, Africa is one of the wonders of the natural world. It is a movement of over a million animals into the Masai Mara National Reserve. Millions of wildebeests and other animals move from Serengeti into Masai Mara. This exciting experience of wildlife behavior happens every year. The animals move in search of greener pastures. The great migration is not an isolated event. It is a constant movement that happens across the year. Understanding this movement is important for travelers. This way, you will know when to expect what. Let us discuss the wildebeest migration in Kenya, Africa in detail.
Great Migration Africa
Sometimes, the supply of food and water is depleted in one area. For example, at some point, food and water in Serengeti Tanzania are depleted. For this reason, animals have to move to other areas with plenty of food and water. The animals use their primal instincts to guide them toward favorable areas. However, no one knows how the animals know exactly where to move. According to researchers, weather patterns influence this movement. The cycle of dry and rainy seasons guides the wildlife towards greener pastures.
Are there other wildlife migratory movements? The answer is yes. There are many animal migratory movements. But the wildebeest migration wonder of the world stands out. This is because of the number of animals involved in this movement. Almost 1.5 million wildebeests are involved in this movement. About one million zebras and other animals are also part of this movement. This makes the great migration Kenya stand out.
When does the Wildebeest Migration in Kenya, Africa occur?
The wildebeest migration wonder of the world happens across the year. But there is a specific time, that the great migration happens in Masai Mara Kenya. This offers an exciting and unique experience. Below, we provide a breakdown of the wildebeest migration by month. This is a prediction of where the animals are during a certain time of the year. But this may not be very accurate. This is because the movement depends on the rain which can come on time, early or late.
January to March
Between January and March, the animals are seen in the southern parts of the Serengeti National Park. Specifically, you can see these animals in the Ngorongoro conservation area. The plains have a lot of nutritious grass during this season. This gives the animals a good environment for calving. If you want to witness a wildebeest birth, this is the right season. Hundreds of calves are born within this period.
The huge number of young ones attracts a lot of predators. Animals such as leopards and lions move into this region. Their main goal is to prey on the vulnerable calves. If you want to witness the big cats’ drama, this is your season.
April to June
Towards the end of April, food is almost depleted in the area. The animals begin to move north in search of greener pastures. This migration is still great. It may be in columns of up to 25 miles long. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeests migrate into the new region. Other animals such as gazelles and zebras also join this movement.
Slowly, animals start to gather in the western corridor of Serengeti. They cross the Grumeti River. Animals form in numbers along the channels of this river preparing to cross it and continue with the journey. Eventually, they will cross the river in huge numbers. The experience may not be as spectacular as the Masai Mara crossing.
July to September
This is when the wildebeest migration in Kenya, Africa occurs. It is the Masai Mara migration season. Towards the end of June, the animals concentrate in the western part of Serengeti. They face the daunting task of crossing River Grumeti. But they have a bigger task ahead. They have to cross the Mara River in northern Serengeti. This is after the start of the dry season in Serengeti. At this point, the animals move to areas they can access plenty of food and water. This is none other than the Masai Mara national reserve.
The Masai Mara migration season kicks off. This is one of the most exciting, awaited, and loved wildlife events. Millions of wildebeests and other animals cross the Mara River successfully. There can be massive loss of life. This is because of the confusion and panic during the crossing of the river. Also, many predators wait for the great migration ready to ambush. By the end of August, the majority of the animals are found in the Masai Mara area. It is important to note that this is a high season in tourism. You will find many travelers in Kenya. This makes the great migration Kenya even greater.
October to December
This season marks the end of the great migration in Kenya. In a normal year, East Africa experiences short rains. They begin in late October or early November. The animals start moving from Kenya into Serengeti. At this point, there is a lot of fresh food and abundant water attracting the wildebeests. By December, the majority of the animals are in the Serengeti. Towards the end of the year or the beginning of the year, calving starts again. The predators move into the area again ready for the calves. This marks the beginning of the great migration again. The cycle continues.
Conclusion
The Wildebeest Migration in Kenya, Africa is the most requested event in the world. It happens around July to September. Millions of wildebeests, gazelles, and Zebra move from Tanzania to Kenya. Specifically, they migrate from Serengeti to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The animals have to cross the Mara River for greener pastures. This gives travelers a spectacular, unique, and interesting experience. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy the sight of masses of animals.
Expect a range of emotions that comes with the Mara River crossing. These emotions range from excitement, anticipation, awe, and much more. You can sense hesitation and urgency among the wildebeests as they prepare to cross the river. You can feel the energy in the air. You can see them gathering the courage to cross the river. You can also see them looking for the safest and surest path. When the moment arrives, a few animals will start rushing toward the water. Then, boom, thousands will follow. This is when the anticipation turns into excitement, fear, and awe among other emotions. This is when you experience the wildebeest migration in Kenya, Africa. Do you love experiencing incredible natural events? Then, you should never miss the great migration in Kenya.