Where is the Best Place to See Wildebeest Migration?
Where is the Best Place to See Wildebeest Migration?
Where is the Best Place to See Wildebeest Migration? Also called “the Greatest Show on Earth,” the wildebeest migration is the largest wildlife migration ever witnessed on earth, with over 2 million wildebeests and thousands of zebras and gazelles continuously traveling thousands of kilometers in a clockwise direction from the southern Serengeti north into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and back again to end and start the cycle all over again.
The great wildebeest migration is one of the classic safari experiences in Africa, drawing thousands of visitors year-round to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle. Along the journey, the herds experience the full circle of life, from mating to calving to death—often in the jaws of their many predators. Nile crocodiles and big cats feed on these animals as they migrate.
The endless journey sees herds splitting and reforming, retracing their steps before heading onwards again and other variations that make the whole journey more chaotic than it might seem at first. Although the herds typically follow the rains, the exact timing of their arrival at each point remains uncertain. The timing and routes differ from year to year, making the precise location for a migration safari very tricky to predict.
To increase your chances of catching the migrating herds, staying at a mobile safari camp is recommended, as these properties are moved each season to follow the migration route. If you have time, aim to stay at two or three safari camps in different locations in Serengeti or the Mara, depending on when you travel.
The dramatic river crossings are the most coveted sights, but it is very risky to plan your whole trip around this, as the crossings are so unpredictable and it is far from guaranteed that you will be in the right place at the right time. Consider seeing a river crossing as a bonus to your safari rather than the main focus for your travel.
Where is the Best Place to See Wildebeest Migration?
Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Ndutu Plains
Called Kusini, the remote area to the South of Serengeti National Park borders the Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maswa Game Reserve to the southwest, creating a vast region of open savannah interrupted by patches of acacia woodland.
The wildebeest migration passes through the Ngorongoro and Ndutu regions between January and May; this is the calving season, when the herds of wildebeests, along with zebras, give birth to hundreds of thousands of newborn calves.
The open grassland plains and sparse tree cover in the region create an ideal hunting habitat for the big cats and hyenas that prey on the young calves at their most vulnerable. This period is a dramatic—and traumatic—time, as the growth of the new life is tempered by the presence of predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas that are active here.
Central Serengeti & the Western Corridor
In April, the long rains begin, making the wildebeests head to the Central Serengeti and eventually into the western corridor. At the heart of the Serengeti lies the Seronera River and the surrounding valley. The Seronera is a perennial river that provides a good habitat for wildlife year-round, including resident lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Due to the variety of habitats in the park and the permanent availability of water, an abundance of herbivores, such as zebras, Bohor reedbuck and Grant’s gazelles, are found in this area throughout the year. In the nearby Lake Magadi, you can find the beautiful pink flamingos.
The landscape here is dotted with large kopjes, a result of volcanic activity in the area, which are a favorite perch for big cats. Also, it is possible to spot the last remaining black rhinos in the Serengeti at the Moru Kopjes, south of the Seronera River.
Eastern Serengeti
The eastern region of Serengeti National Park is a landscape of savannah, punctuated by acacia trees and rocky outcrops, with Gol Kopjes being the most famous. This region is a great place to watch the big cats chasing down their prey, such as Grant’s or Thomson’s gazelles.
Around October and November, the herds disperse again for their long, fast-moving journey south, passing through the Loliondo and Lobo areas. Catching the migration isn’t easy at this time of year, but there is plenty of other wildlife to see. This time of year being low season means great value for money in some upmarket lodges and camps.
Northern Serengeti & the Mara River
Though still dispersed, the herds continue north through the Ikorongo Game Reserve en route to the Kogatende and Lamai areas, on the banks of the Mara River.
The Kogatende Area in the northern Serengeti is a great place to witness the great migration between July and October but with July and August typically the peak months. There is a permanent pride of lions in the area that you can see year-round, along with other cheetahs and leopards.
At the far northern edge of the Serengeti is the Mara River, which provides the backdrop for the famed migration river crossings. The Kogatende is a fine region to visit during the peak summer months. River crossings occur on a daily basis, and you will be sharing the view with far fewer tourists in the Masai Mara just across the border.
Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya
The iconic Masai Mara National Reserve forms the northern fringe of the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, most of which is in Tanzania. The herds typically pass through the Mara between June and October; the Mara River runs through the center of the reserve and is a prime river crossing territory. During the high summer months, the herd will be crisscrossing territory. During the high summer months, the herd will be crisscrossing the river in a chaotic mass of activity, desperately avoiding the crocodiles lurking beneath the waterline.
In comparison to the Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve is tiny and by far the more popular safari destination, so it can feel busy during peak migration months.
The reserve has a wide range of accommodation options (safari camps and lodges), ranging from budget to high-end options, making it the best place to see the wildebeest migration.
In conclusion, the best place to see the wildebeest migration depends on the stage of the Great Wildebeest Migration you intend to witness.
