Serengeti National Park Migration

Serengeti national park migration is the second largest mammal migration in the entire world after the Bat Migration that happens in Namibia when over 10 million Bats migrate from October. Serengeti national park is one of the best scientific and natural scenic tourism destinations not only in Tanzania but the entire world. The park is famous for its greatest concentration of wildlife especially the open plans and the predators. Serengeti national park is located in Northern Tanzania along with the famous tourists’ destination. Serengeti national park covers a total land area of over 14750 square kilometers. It stretches to the South of Kenya boarding the famous Masai Mara national reserve forming the longest and oldest ecosystem called the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Serengeti national park was established in 1952.

Serengeti national park is famous because of the wildebeest migration which happens annually. It is out of this that the park was voted as the seven natural wonders of the world. The park inhabits more than 70 species of mammals and over 500 bird species. During the Serengeti national park migration, millions of wildebeests and thousands of other plains mammals move from one area to another. The circle of the Serengeti national park migration is continuous throughout the year and this has made the guests to travel to the park all year round. The wildebeest migration has put Serengeti national park on the map of the world as one of the best wildlife viewing destinations not only in Tanzania but entire Africa. The climax of Serengeti national park migration is witnessed during the Mara river crossing period that is from July to August.

The Serengeti migration moves with the weather of the year, sometimes it starts early while other years it starts late. The animals predict the rains as their movements keep going till they finish the circle. The Wildebeest Migration starts from the Southern Serengeti in Ndutu Area which is located around Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is sometimes called the calving season, thousands of wildebeest calves are born daily. At this period the grass in the Ndutu area are short and delicious for the young ones. The best time to witness this Serengeti national park migration is from February to March every year. The predator population at this area also increases since the predators will be targeting young helpless calves that are born. The surprising thing is that when the new calves are born they spend a few minutes to become strong and start playing.

After March when all the calves are born and strong the wildebeest and other plain animals start their move to the central Serengeti in the Seronera area. This is the pure rainy season they will be grassing along the seronera river. This is the best time to be around the central part of Serengeti. It is funny that the Serengeti national park migration moves according to rains. When the rain reduces from mid-May the Serengeti national park migration starts moving to the Western part of Serengeti. At this point, they will concentrate along the Grumeti River. They will be grazing along this river as they head to the Northern part of Serengeti. The migration will cross the Grumeti river around June every year. This is one of the dangerous small rivers with more crocodiles and other predators making it fit for a living during the crossing.

In June after crossing the Grumeti river, the Serengeti national park migration continues furthermore to the North of Serengeti national park. This is the season when the sun is extremely hot in Serengeti national park. This is the climax of the Serengeti national park migration that happens in Mara river when millions of wildebeest and thousands of zebras and other animals cross the river. Here the survival for the fittest is here. The actual day of crossing cannot be predicted since the wildebeest move general with no leader. The wildlife spends some time grazing around the river banks before throwing themselves in the water amidst the watch of the large Nile crocodiles. The land predators are also on a wait on both sides of the river. The animals move clockwise direction though with no leader.

The migration begins in Ngorongoro conservation Area in Ndutu area and it loops in a clockwise direction. The migration is naturally determined by the availability of grazing grass. The Wildebeest move together with thousands in Zebras simply because the two animal species eat different part of plants. This makes them move with no competition for the grass as one eats its part continues as the other gets it is part untouched.

For the best timing of the Serengeti migration, follow the Calder below:

December to March

This is the starting month of the Serengeti migration, at this point it starts from the Southern Serengeti national park around the Ngorongoro crater Conservation Area in Ndutu area. This migration is called Calving season Migration and if you wish to experience this then come around this time with its climax in January to February. By March the wildebeest continue to the central Serengeti area in Seronera area.

April to June

In April to mid-May, the Serengeti national park migration is typically in the central Serengeti Area in the Seronera area. This is the best time to visit and stay in the Seronera area as millions of the wildebeest are found in the central. As the rains start reducing by May the wildebeest continues their journey to the Western part of the Serengeti national park. By June the wildebeest will be crossing the Grumeti river as they head to the North. At this month you will be targeting the western part of Serengeti if your interest is the migration.

July to August

This is the climax time for the migration, it happens in the Northern sector of Serengeti. The wildebeest will be crossing boundaries to Kenya through Mara River, though the exact dates of crossing is unpredictable the experience is greater. To witness the migration, you have to book the close accommodations months early. The accommodations will be fully booked as early as four months.

Serengeti national park migration attracts more tourists to the park as every traveler wants to eye witness the movement of the seven natural wonders of the world. This is termed as the best time of visiting the Serengeti national park. Combining the Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti national park is one of the best safari ever in Africa. It can last of one week of great experience as you follow the complete Serengeti national park migration.