Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari
The Greate Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
Serengeti National Park is the Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park, a World Heritage site and recently proclaimed to be one among The 7 Wonders of Africa. Maasai people named the Southern plains as “Siringet” meaning the land of endless space… and that’s the origin of the name Serengeti. Serengeti is famed for its annual migration. Over two million herbivores partake in this journey, with about 200 000 zebra and 500 000 Thomson’s gazelle behind the main players… one-and-a-half million wildebeest!
The Greate Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
The geologic forces that shaped this vast plain created an environment ideal for certain grasses, but unsuitable for trees. With specialized shallow-matted root systems, these grasses hold moisture from even the lightest rains. “I do not know of any country which is, in terms of earth, of solid matter, so nearly the equivalent of the sea. There seems to be no end of it” (Laurens van der Post, Venture to the Interior, 1963)
The Greate Migration Important Events
The rivercrossing of the wildebeest, northern Serengeti
The most known one is the annual rivercrossing of the wildebeest at the Mara river in northern Serengeti. Here wildebeest, along with other grazers risk their lives and battle with crocodiles patiently waiting for their lunch in the rivers. The wildebeest and other members of the Great Migration have to cross this river to further their journey for fresh food and is often considered one of nature’s most spectacular events!
The river crossing usually happens between July and October, but greatly depends on rainfall and the availability of fresh food sources.
Calving season in Southern Serengeti, Ndutu
Around February, all the big herds come together and go southwards in the Ndutu area. This area is often called Southern-Serengeti. During the calving season, the Great Migration makes a small pause. During this pause, thousands of baby’s are born each day. This makes it a beautiful and memorable event. For as the river crossing is a time of death and action, this is a time of life. However, lion’s and other predators surely like a taste of easy, freshborn pray.
The Great Migration calving season is the only time of year that you’re almost guaranteed to see the big herds together. Since the migration is in the south, it’s cheaper and takes significantly less time to visit the Great Migration, making it an easier and more affordable option than the famous river crossing.
