The wildebeest migration is the annual movement of over 2 million wildebeests across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

It is also considered to be the greatest migration of wildlife in the world. During this wildebeest migration, zebras and gazelles also follow the wildebeest herds as they move to different locations during the year.

The wildebeest migration takes place in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and in Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya during different months of the year. The movement of the wildebeests follows a clockwise direction.

Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

During Tanzania safaris, the wildebeest migration can be seen in Serengeti National Park, the Ndutu area, and the Grumeti area.

The wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park takes place in different months of the year around the northern parts of the park, in the central area, the southern part, and the western part of Serengeti.

In the northern part of Serengeti National Park, the wildebeest migration can be seen around July to August when the river crossings take place along the Mara River which is a point where the herds cross into Kenya. During these river crossings along the Mara River, crocodiles attack the wildebeests and some unfortunately do not make it across the river. Different safaris to Serengeti at this time of the year can also involve game drives around the savannah plains towards the Mara River where the wildebeests can be seen.

Wildebeest migration safaris in Tanzania can be seen in the central area of Serengeti National Park around April and May. During these months, rain is also received in the national park, and it is the low season during which few tourists visit Serengeti National Park for safaris. Many other wildlife species can be seen around the central part of Serengeti which is also referred to as the Seronera area and it is also the most visited part of Serengeti which has numerous wildlife species, The wildebeest migration in 2022.

In the western part of Serengeti National Park during safaris in Tanzania, the wildebeest migration can be seen around the Grumeti River which is also a crossing point for the wildebeests. The wildebeest migration in the western part of Serengeti takes place around June.

The wildebeest migration can also be seen in the southern part of Serengeti national park where the Ndutu area is located. In the Ndutu area, the calving season takes place and over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born during this time which is also a good time for seeing predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs during a safari. The Ndutu area is found between the southern part of Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the wildebeest migration here can be seen during the months of January, February, and March.

During wildebeest migration safaris in Serengeti National Park, there are different activities that can be carried out during the tours, and they include game drives at different times of day, nature walks, hot air balloon safaris, and bird watching.

Serengeti National Park can be visited at any time of the year the dry season is considered the best time for wildlife viewing during Tanzania safaris and it is during the months around June to October when wildlife species are known to gather around water sources making them easy to see during safaris.

There are different ways to get to Serengeti National Park when visiting Tanzania and after landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport which receives international flights to the northern part of Tanzania, you can choose to either drive or fly to Serengeti National Park.

The drive from Arusha to Serengeti National Park takes about 7 hours and you can also visit Serengeti after a Tanzania safari to other parks and wildlife viewing destinations in the northern part of Tanzania like the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National park.

Flights are also available for those who would prefer to get to the park and explore without the long drive and these flights can be got from Arusha airport which offers domestic flights across destinations in Tanzania. The different airstrips to fly into Serengeti National Park during a safari include Seronera, Kogatende, Lobo, Grumeti, Ndutu, and Kirawira among others.

Wildebeest Migration in Kenya

After the river crossings that take place along the Mara River in the northern part of Serengeti National Park, the wildebeests cross into the Masai Mara reserve which is a location for seeing the wildebeest migration during a tour in Kenya.

Masai Mara Reserve is in the southwestern part of Kenya and the wildebeest herds can be seen during safaris at the destination as they graze around the savannah plains during the months of August, September, and October.

Other wildlife species can be seen during the safaris around Masai Mara reserve including the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos. Masai Mara Reserve is also among the top safari destinations in Kenya which can be visited at any time of the year for wildlife viewing.

Masai Mara reserve during safaris in Kenya can be also accessed by both road and flight. The drive from Nairobi to Mara takes about 5 hours and is also very scenic and you can also enjoy an encounter with the locals in Narok town on the way to Masai Mara. Alternatively, you can fly from Wilson Airport to Masai Mara using the different domestic airlines in Kenya like Air Kenya, Safari Link, and Jambo Jet among others.

Activities that are carried out around the Masai Mara reserve include morning and afternoon or evening game drives, nature walks with the Maasai guides, cultural tours, hot air balloon safaris over the plains of Masai Mara, and bird-watching experiences.

When in Kenya, there is a lot more to do including touring Nairobi and visiting other national parks like Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Tsavo National Park, and Aberdare National Park among others.

Book safaris to Kenya and Tanzania with us and enjoy the wildebeest migration and many other experiences during tours.