The 1.3 million strong wildebeest herd of Tanzania and Kenya trace a clockwise circuit of East Africa's great grassland plains, following the rain and the ripening grasses. Burchelli's Zebras infiltrate the black mass, perhaps seeking protection amid the numbers, while other hoofed species join the migration on its fringes, a colorful carnival of herbivores trudging, lurching, and leaping across the grasslands and woodlands. Africa's great predators are never far away from the menagerie.
The trek begins in the south, after the wildebeest birthing season in February. The herd moves northwest, chasing rain and abundance, arriving at the northern end of the circuit in the Mara Triangle in July or August. Predicting where the wildebeest will be with any precision is impossible, but, generally, the migration follows a regular pattern, although one ultimately dictated by the vagaries of wind, sun, and rain.
Southern Serengeti/Ngorongoro
Late December to Early April
Scattered across the plains of the Southern Serengeti more »
Western Corridor
April to Late June
The southern plains begin to dry up in April, and the animals move to the northwest more »
Mara Triangle
Late June to October
Eventually the grasses of the Western Corridor dry and wither more »
Eastern Serengeti/Loliondo
October to December
The return takes the herd along the border of the Serengeti Reserve more »
