The Migration takes place yearly and involves the movement of millions of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras from Serengeti in Tanzania northwards to Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya. They mainly move in search of greener pastures and water. The flow of the journey amazes onlookers since it is automatic, but there are allegations made by specialists that they are triggered to move following climatic changes, yet others claim it’s due to the calving season. However, all this is not proven, but what stands out are the months.
Masai Mara National Reserve
July to September: The migration into Masai Mara starts in July and ends in late September. The exact dates around this period are not predictable until the first large wildebeest herds actually gather at the northern edge of Serengeti near Mara. These initial herds are sometimes known to gather at a spot for days on end without crossing; that is why patience is needed.
July to August
The best time for the migration would be mid-July to late August, but the gradual event takes place over several weeks at different locations along the Serengeti-Masai Mara border. In this case, August is credited to be the peak of the booming month for migration.
Serengeti National Park
Their journey towards Serengeti happens around late October, though this is less spectacular and more like slow dispersal, giving photographers an opportunity to film the entire migration process. River crossings are quite a spectacle, filled with bubbling water hosting hungry crocodiles who wait in silence for the crossing species, leaving the guests speechless. This occurs in late July to August, with parts of September, and they make their way back around the last week but roughly early November when the short rains have just started. They settle within the short grasses south and east of Seronera around Ndutu, extending up to Ngorongoro Conservation area.
The cycle keeps on repeating itself, where January, February, March come again, and the calving session takes place. By May, these species move northwards to the area around Moru Kopjes and settle for some time in the south side of Grumeti River, which blocks and slows the movement towards the north. But this doesn’t stop the determined souls; they just continue to Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo. By the time September sets in, they are ready to face the most serious obstacle, which is the Mara River, and finally ends with November.
Let Masai Mara and Serengeti be your aim this safari, I promise you won’t regret it.
