Destination Overview
The reserve, with 1520 square kilometers of untouched African wilderness, is renowned across the world for its enormous collection of plains animals and their various predators. The yearly migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and it may be the last place in Kenya where one may still view wildlife in the same extreme quantity as it did decades ago. It offers breathtaking views of broad, undulating plains and hills covered in acacia woodland groves and dense brush. Together with the greatest herds of Topi and the uncommon Roan antelope not seen elsewhere in his country, there is also the largest population of lions to be found in Kenya.
The Mara River, which occasionally floods violently and is boarded by a sumptuous riverine forest, divides the region in two. Hippo relax in its waters while crocodiles sunbathe on the banks with their mouths open, appearing to be asleep. The Mara is home to an abundance of resident animals and avifauna despite the wonders of the annual migration. There are a large number of bird species—over 400 have been easily identified.
Sequence of Great Migration:
After the herds have exhausted the available pastures, the Great Migration usually begins in Tanzania and the Serengeti in January.
The migration involves millions of animals and covers approximately 500 miles. The true migrants are the wildebeest, also known as the white-bearded gnu, and the zebra. Thompson's and Grant's gazelles take part, but only in part, and predators only follow the herds for obvious reasons - easy prey! It is debatable whether the zebra complete the journey, and it is certain that the gazelles do not leave the Serengeti.
January to March
Wildebeests are dispersed across the medium and short grass plains south of the Serengeti at this time of year, depending on water and grazing. They crisscross the plains, with the greatest concentrations remaining near Lake Ndutu and Olduvai Gorge. Many people visit Ngorongoro Crater, which significantly increases the number of animals in the crater.
There are scattered thunderstorms on the plains right now, the surface waterholes are full, and the grazing is good. The wildebeest give birth in February, and there are hundreds of calves. Predatory activity is high, with an abundance of Lion, Cheetah, spotted Hyena, and Leopard sightings.
By the end of March, the rains have ceased and the surface waterholes have dried up, the grazing has become scarce, and the animals have begun to panic. As the wildebeest gather in large herds, they begin to migrate north and west towards Lake Victoria to graze. The herds continue west along the Grumeti River, approaching Lake Victoria within 20 miles. As a result, the western arm of the Serengeti was included in the national park and is referred to as the migration corridor.
April
The animals migrate away from the plains and into the high country and the corridor.
May
The herds continue to move off the plains and into the corridor.
June
The vast herds have entered the corridor. During June, the herds migrate north through Musoma on their way to Kenya's Masai Mara. They reach the Mara river around the end of July, depending on rain and grazing.
July to September
The large herds are now more concentrated and stay in the Masai Mara region for about two to three months. Courtship and reproduction take place during this time. By the end of September, they had eaten almost all of the grass in Masai Mara, from the Mara River to the Loita Plains.
As they approach the plains, they become restless and begin to move south through the Keekorok (Masai Mara) and Lobo (Serengeti) Valleys.
October to November
The herds typically roam Tanzania's highlands and acacia woodlands near Lobo. Around the end of November, they make their way to the Serengeti's long plains near Seronera, where they spend approximately a month before moving on to the enormous plains that make up the ecosystem's medium and short grass sections.
December
The Seronera region (central Serengeti) and the extensive grassy plains are home to the herds.
January
The loop continues.
