Everything To Know About The Great Wildebeest Migration In 2023
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Everything To Know About The Great Wildebeest Migration In 2023: Are you considering booking a 2023 safari excursion to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti? Most likely, and in that case, this post’s guide will provide you with all the information you need for a fantastic wildebeest migration safari experience to ensure you get everything you wanted from your trip.
During the Great Wildebeest Migration, which takes place each year in Tanzania, millions of wildebeests travel around the country as they follow the rain clouds to plains with greener grass. When traveling to Tanzania, make sure not to miss this yearly migration! You will dream endlessly about green meadows and magnificent wildebeest herds after witnessing this occurrence because it is so magnificent. We at Focus East Africa Tours are here to break it down for you. It is formally recognized as the eighth wonder of the world and is incredibly powerful, providing a complete portrayal of the circle of life. Therefore, prepare yourself for the most amazing safari experience, complete with ravenous crocodiles, thrilling river crossings, calving season, and thousands of animals all around Tanzania.
THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION: THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
There is no scientific evidence to support the theory that the annual movement of the great wildebeest migration herds is caused by the change in weather seasons. The wet season and the dry season are Tanzania’s two primary seasons. More rain than words could possibly express falls during the rainy season, creating lush, green grass that herbivorous animals use as new grazing. Animals move continuously throughout Tanzania as a result of the rain clouds changing with the seasons. The massive wildebeest migration herds begin looking for new grazing grounds quickly before the cyclical season returns them to greener pastures.
WHEN DOES THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION START?
Thousands of wildebeest herds begin to migrate again towards the end of March, right after calving and mating season. Just keep in mind that there are just main migration routes, not necessarily origins. Because they are natural occurrences, they cannot be precisely tracked.
WHAT MONTH IS THE GREAT MIGRATION IN TANZANIA?
That depends on what you’re pursuing, I suppose. This flexible and continuous adventure lasts a whole year and is jam-packed with a variety of yearly occasions, from popular river crossings across crocodile-infested rivers to serene grazing seasons where approximately 8000 calves are born every day.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE MIGRATION IN TANZANIA?
That depends on what you want to see, I suppose. A great time to witness migratory herds traverse the crocodile-infested Grumeti River is from June to July, whereas the beginning of the year gives visitors a front-row view of the calving season. Let’s look at a breakdown from month to month!
GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION MONTH-TO-MONTH BREAKDOWN
You want to see the Great Wildebeest Migration, then? The good news is that everyone may enjoy it, regardless of their financial situation or level of physical fitness. The bad news is that the event is continually shifting, making it difficult to foresee with precision where the herds will be at any given moment. In order to help you plan your 2023 vacation, this guide breaks down the wildebeest migration by month. Remember that these are merely generalizations; for the most recent information, it is advisable to contact a local safari operator.
March, January, and February
Around this time of year, the migratory herd enters the Ngorongoro Conservation Area from the short-grass plains of the Serengeti. The vast herds of wildebeest start their calving season because of the nourishing grass in Ndutu. The ideal conditions for raising young wildebeests are during these months, when grass is most plentiful. This time of year, when about 400 000 new calves are born, serves as an excellent starting point for the migratory circuit to resume. Predators like lion prides start their food quests while the herds rear their young. Consider these months an excellent opportunity to observe the circle of life—the cycle of birth and death—in all its facets, Everything To Know About The Great Wildebeest Migration In 2023
April–May
As rainclouds approach Serengeti National Park near the end of March, the herds start to migrate to new plains in search of new food and water. Columns of wildebeest stretch along the migration route for many kilometers in quest of new grass, giving these majestic animals the appearance of a moving ocean on the surface of the African plains.
The male wildebeest’s mating season starts as May draws to a close, followed by fierce conflicts. If you visit in May, you may watch this enormous movement in conjunction with zebras, gazelles, and the ravenous crocodiles that wait for the herd near the Grumeti River.
June–July
Tanzania’s dry season officially starts in June. In preparation for crossing treacherous waters that are infested with crocodiles, the herds of wildebeest march alongside the south banks of the Grumeti River.
The Serengeti herds steadily approach the Mara River as June’s conclusion draws near. They then proceed to the Serengeti’s northernmost regions. It may be the most humbling event to watch on a safari to see these magnificent beasts cross the Mara River, which is also the most perilous crossing that they will make. The herds will encounter their most dangerous threat when the river is flowing at its full potential and hungry crocodiles are calmly waiting for their victims. Scientists refer to the wildebeests’ ability to face an obstacle as one enormous organism as “swarm intelligence,” which allows them to overcome this enormous hurdle. The herds have been spotted in the Northern Serengeti and are on their way to Kenya’s Masai Mara by July.
August, September, and October
By now, the dangerous Mara River crossing should be coming to a close. The herds will have moved eastward after the crocodiles’ yearly inflow of prey. In October, there are brief rains, and the wildebeest migration continues.
November –December
The wildebeest are already starting to turn around and head back toward Kenya and the Eastern Serengeti. The herds are dispersed throughout the southern and eastern reaches when December arrives. The annual migration of wildebeest restarts as the New Year draws near and the abundant rainfall returns the green grass to its original location, Everything To Know About The Great Wildebeest Migration In 2023
HOW FAR DO WILDEBEEST MIGRATE?
The migration loop’s total length is roughly 2000 kilometers. The voyage is an annual event that takes a full year to complete. Because the wildebeest are following their instincts, which are the most fundamental and potent form of guidance, their migratory motions are just predictable and not concrete. 250 000 of them are killed by predators (including lions, crocodiles, and cheetahs) along the road as they migrate.
DO THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATE ALONE?
Do the wildebeest migrate alone? Millions of wildebeests are migrating, but at least 250 000 zebra are joining them. The two animals move in unison as they follow the showers in search of new grass and water.
WHY DO WILDEBEESTS MIGRATE IN HERDS?
To defend one another from predators, wildebeests move in groups called herds. Around eight mothers, their corresponding calves, and a dominant male bull to guard them make up each herd. Because they are mutually protective of one another, the herds roam side by side with zebras. Wildebeests may sense danger before the herd does and can see farther than zebras. However, wildebeests have a sense of smell.
HOW POWERFUL ARE WILDEBEESTS?
The Great Wildebeest Migration According to legend, a wildebeest’s power is equivalent to two standard vehicle engines. They have enormous muscular fibers and can walk about 100 kilometers without water. Their food is converted into energy quite effectively as well; two thirds of their energy is used for endurance, while the remaining one third is used to expel heat.
SOME FINAL TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR MIGRATION SAFARI
Last-minute planning advice for your migration safari in Tanzania:
Reserve in advance: It is advisable to make your safari reservations at least a year in advance. This guarantees that you have a wide range of choices for lodges, routes, and other activities.
You don’t have to be a hipster to go against the crowd. What we’re trying to express is that you’ll have more control over your safari and interaction with our knowledgeable guides if you travel in small groups, Everything To Know About The Great Wildebeest Migration In 2023
End far, far away: You’ll need to decompress and regroup your senses after a draining but mind-expanding week. Finding a secluded type of lodging is advised as you near your destination.
Conclusion: One of Africa’s most stunning natural wonders is the Great Wildebeest Migration, which Focus East Africa Tours has been a part of for many years. In a genuine National Geographic moment, our skilled driver guides follow the drama as it unfolds while continuing to perfect the tracking of the migration. You will be in awe of the enormous number of wildebeest sailing through the Serengeti plains. We have you covered with a selection of migration trips and knowledgeable booking agents that can advise you on the ideal time to visit.
