Serengeti: A Village Of Migrating Wildebeest |
Posted: July 26, 2018 |
Nothing comes close to the Great Wildebeest Migration in terms of natural wildlife phenomenon occurring all over the world. This event sees more than two million wildebeest, zebras; elands traverse the plains of Serengeti and Maasai Mara in a clockwise direction covering thousands of kilometres in the process. Although the Great Migration Safari occur in a cycle between Tanzania and Kenya, most of the action can be witnessed in Tanzania particularly in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Grumeti Reserve, Loliondo Game Controlled Area. In Kenya the Maasai Mara Migration is limited to only the Maasai Mara Game Reserve which borders the Serengeti National Park to the north. 1. The Start of the Circle The start of the migration is often the most difficult thing to predict and is largely dependent on the rainfall pattern. There’s a lot of movement involved from north to south, but the herds usually start gathering on the southern part of Serengeti Safari. Then after spending few days feeding on the newly grown grasses, they start moving south to the Ndutu area. 2. The Route The rut period happens just after the herds go past the granite outcrops located in the north east section of Serengeti. After spending significant time grazing on the grasses and when the rain sets in, they feel the urge to mate which is referred to as (rather unofficially) as the love season. You can spot numerous fights between male wildebeests tossing each other up in the air as they battle for the same female wildebeests. However, there is no serious violence or injuries involved in this process as the dominant ones show their dominance. 3. The Birthing The birth of the young wildebeests (also referred to as the Calving Season) is one of the most spectacular sightings of the entire Serengeti Wildebeest Migration. This usually takes place in the months of January and February. Just after they congregate in the border of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park Safari, the calving season starts and thousands of female wildebeests can be seen giving birth to young ones. Soon after setting their foot on earth, the young ones get up on their and start walking and running within 5 to 10 minutes. But what is heartbreaking to see is the young ones struggling for their life as they make easy prey for the big cats and other predators that follow the herds closely. 4. The Predators If you think wildebeest, zebra, eland, and impalas are all that are part of the migration, then you might reconsider changing that viewpoint. When looked at closely, predators form a significant part of the whole migration event. The wildebeest herds receive the biggest threat from the big cats. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards trail behind the migrating herds and remain unrevealed seeking for the perfect opportunity to prey on the herds. They tend to attack the weakest one (mostly the newborns) as they’re easy to be taken over. Smaller predators like hyenas, wild dogs, and honey badgers also seem to attack. Not only the big cats, crocodiles that inhabit the rivers also pose a threat to the migrating herds. All of this in the next section. 5. The Crossing Perhaps what is the most captivating and thrilling sub event of the Great Migration Safari is the river crossing. The wildebeests have to cross two rivers along their way to make it back home: The Grumeti and Mara River. Both the rivers offer unique view of the crossing, but the latter is preferred over the former. Even though the timings of the river crossing is largely unpredictable, generally the herds cross Grumeti River during the months of July when they start to congregate at the Grumeti Reserve. Then in the months of August or early part of September, you can witness the Mara River as they cross the Kenya -Tanzania border. In both the scenarios, it is the crocodile which pose a threat to the herds. Just like the big cats, they remain camouflaged in the waters and wait for the right opportunity. The unlucky ones fall prey to them. 6. Closing The Circle The remaining wildebeests which survive the predators and the river crossing make their way into Kenya to feed on the untouched lush environment. After the wildebeests and zebras have finished grazing on the Masai Mara plains, they start to move back towards their home, Serengeti NP which marks the completion of one cycle of the Great Migration. Short after the cycle starts again after the rain. All in all, the Great Migration Safari is indeed a spectacular event to watch whether it be in Serengeti or Masai Mara. There are several camps and lodges strategically built along the migration path to provide a splendid viewing experience of the wildebeest migration. To book accommodations at one such location in one of our Kenzan Luxury Camps, Contact Us today and avail the best offers.
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