MIGRATION OF WILDEBEEST SERENGETI/MARA

For simplicity we will start with Tanzania and the Serengeti in January. The migration involves well over a million animals and approximately 500 miles of travel. The true migrants are the Wildebeest or White bearded gnu, Zebra (common),Thompson and Grant gazelle participants but are only partial migrants.
It is questionable whether the Zebra make the full journey and it is certain that the gazelles do not leave the Serengeti

January/ February/March

At this time of the year the wildebeests are scattered across the medium and short grass plains south of Serengeti depending on the water and grazing they criss-cross the plains with large concentrations around Lake Ndutu and Olduvai. Many travel onto Ngorongoro crater, increasing the numbers of animals in the crater considerably.

There are scattered thunderstorms on the plains, the surface water holes are full and the grazing is good. Wildebeest calving occurs in February and there are literally hundreds of calves. Predatory activity is high with an abundance of Lion, Cheetah, Cape hunting spotted Hyena with frequent sightings of Leopards.

By the end of March, the rains begin to taper off and the surface waterholes begin to dry up, the grazing is becoming short. The wildebeest begin to gather into large herds and start moving north and west towards Lake Victoria grazing. The herds continue west following the Grumeti river and reach within 20 miles of the Lake. It is for this reason the western arm of the Serengeti was included in the national park and is called the migration corridor.

April

The animals move off the plains into high country and the corridor.

May : Still moving off the plains and into the corridor.

June : In the corridor. At the same time during June the herds move north again through Musoma and head for the Masai Mara. Depending on the rain and grazing, they reach the Mara river towards the end of July. 

July, August, September

The great herds are  more concentrated now and remain in the Masai Mara area approximately 2-3 months. During this period the courtship and breeding takes place. By the end of September they will have consumed most of the grass from the Mara river to the Loita plains.
They become restless and start moving south through the Keekorok (Masai Mara) and Lobo Valleys en route to the plains.

October/November

They are normally found in the highlands, acacia woodland around Lobo in Tanzania.
They arrive on the long plains of the Serengeti around Seronera at the end of November and usually  stay in this area for about a month before dispersing onto the vast plains that form the medium and short grass areas of the Serengeti Ecological unit.

December 

The migration is in Seronera (central Serengeti) and the long grassy plains.

The cycle repeats itself each year.