Do you dream of seeing East Africa’s wildebeest migration?


Then you need to read this before committing thousands of dollars for something which may prove to be a disappointment. Or at the least be different than what you imagine.

 

Don’t get me wrong– going on an African safari is rarely a disappointment. You will see more wildlife than you ever imagined.

 

But, if you’re hoping to specifically see the migration of the wildebeest, recently named one of Africa’s seven wonders, it’s essential you understand how Africa’s wildebeest migration works.

 

wildebeest migration: Africa Inside blog
Henry Holdsworth photo

Typically the wildebeest migration is described something like this:

“The endless plains of east Africa are the setting for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle– the 2 million animal migration…”

 

 

And, typically photos of the wildebeest migration look something like this:

Africa Inside images

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, the descriptions and photos can be misleading.

Let me explain why. 

 

Understanding East Africa’s Wildebeest Migration

East Africa’s wildebeest migration is the longest and largest overland migration in the world.

One and a half million wildebeest (also called ‘gnu’ locally), and almost a quarter of a million other wildlife (zebra and gazelles) migrate in a mostly continuous clockwise circle in their search for new growth grass.

There is no real beginning or end to the wildebeests’ journey: over 1,800 miles from Tanzania to Kenya and back again.


But what you need to understand is: 
The almost 2 million migrating animals don’t move in a continuous stream together.


Rather, the wildebeest (and other animals) are 
broken into small groups that move along at their own pace.

When you see the wildebeest you are most likely to see something like this:

A typical view of the Wildebeest migration
A typical view of the Wildebeest migration

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, if you’re lucky, or you witness the migration from the air,
you may see large groups of thousands (not millions) of animals together, like this:

Africa's Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest Migration as seen from the air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned, the typical photos that accompany stories of the wildebeest migration are misleading.

Most photos are taken during the ‘crossing’, so named when the migrating herds cross the crocodile-infested Mara River from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve sometime between July and October.

But even if you arrive at the Mara River at the right time of year, you still may not witness a crossing.

The animals can graze for hours and even days before the leader of the group decides to risk leading the herd across the potentially deadly river.

Discovery and other nature channel photographers can sit at the river for a month waiting for good ‘crossing’ photo opportunities.

Most people on safari don’t have that luxury.

 

africa inside images
Great Photo but how long did the photographer wait to capture this image?

 

 

 

 

 

 

To witness a crossing you will not only need a lot of patience, but also a strong constitution. The river is full of bloated dead animals.

The stench was unbearable for my last group of travelers, even if they did have the patience. They chose not to wait for the possibility of a ‘crossing’.

Mara River carnage
Mara River carnage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telling you these things is not meant to deter you from your dreams of seeing Africa’s wildebeest migration. I only want to make sure you are not disappointed.

Besides, you may be one of the lucky ones who gets to the river just as the animals are crossing over. In that case, I hope when you get home you will tell me all about it. 

Want more? For a month by month description of where to find the migration read this article in Africa Geographic magazine. 

 

4 Replies to “Warning: Wildebeest Migration may Disappoint”

  1. Hi Lori,
    Thanks for this usefull information. My name is Hasan Kamil Sucu. I am a medical doctor from Turkey. I am thinking about to go to Tanzania just to see the wildebeest migration when they crossing the Grumeti River. I will go in the beginning of july. Do you have any advices for me? What must I do to get a bigger chance to see the animals crossing the Grumeti River?
    Thanks in advance
    Hasan

  2. It was nice to hear from you and glad I could answer your questions via your direct email. Let me know how your trip went once you return.

  3. HJI,
    We, my wife(53), daughter(24) and i(56), along with my mother in law ( who is 78 ) and my cousins aged 65 n 68, plan on a trip to kenya ( masai mara) sometime around June 20 or so.

    We are of course looking forward to the migrations spectacle anmd also hoping to see the Big 5, though we do understand that hoping to see and actually getting to see, are two different issues.

    Would u suggest Kenya or Tanzania ? Are our travel dates ( for about a week) ok ? Which other places would u recommend. There is the Ambesoli NP , etc, but we are really not bird watchers.

    Awaiting your response,
    thanks in advance.

    Nitin

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