Facts About Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration : One of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world is the Great wildebeest Migration that take place in Tanzania Serengeti national park and Maasai Mara national reserve Kenya. Every year, millions of herbivores migrate in a clockwise direction between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, in pursuit of fresh pastures and plentiful water. It is a magical ceremony that draws people from all over the world, especially nature and wildlife lovers. The great wildebeest migration is an once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness nature at its most powerful. It also offers an once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some spectacular animal behavior during this critical migration period. Thousands of tourists flock to Tanzania throughout the migration season to watch this spectacular spectacle.
Tanzania Migration Safari is what the country is all about for some people, and it’s no surprise that it and Mount Kilimanjaro have made Tanzania famous tourist safari destination. The Serengeti Migration is a must-see attraction on your safari in Africa, so don’t forget to include it in your itinerary while arranging your safari tour. The migration includes so many unknown and unexpected happenings that it makes your safari experience even more exciting. Here are a few intriguing facts about the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti that would entice you to visit and experience this significant wildlife event, often known as the Wildlife World Cup.
1. About Two Million Wild Animals migrate across the Serengeti.
The vast number of huge terrestrial mammals migrating across the Serengeti is the Great Migration’s claim to fame. There are around 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 350,000 antelope species, including eland, Thompson’s gazelle, and impala. The world’s largest terrestrial animal migration is defined by the astonishing scale of this busy swarm of enormous creatures.
2. The Great Migration Actually Occurs All Year Round.
While many people associate The Great Migration with dramatic river crossings, this epic phenomenon is actually an unending cycle that can be witnessed at any time of year—it all depends on what you want to see. Choose a date between August and October if you want to see the Serengeti’s northern river crossings the most. The wildebeest can be seen in the Southern Serengeti during the calving season, which takes place between January and March. The herds are also visible during the remainder of the year, though they are normally more dispersed.
3. A 500-mile epic journey.
This isn’t just a stroll through the countryside; it’s known as “The Great Migration” for a reason. This massive herd of animals moves almost 500 miles every year, which is approximately the same as walking from Paris, France to Berlin, German. Although the migration takes place in a clockwise circle between Tanzania and Kenya, the majority of the movement happens in Tanzania, specifically in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Loliondo Game Controlled Area, and Grumeti Reserve.
4. It’s completely unpredictable.
In East Africa, the “long rains” wet the land in April and May, bringing quantities of luscious, succulent grass to the Serengeti plains. This is the cue for wildebeest and zebra to begin migrating into the Serengeti’s core region, mowing the plentiful, fragile grass along the route. Generally speaking, this is how it works. Unless the rain arrives late or early. Alternatively, if it rains suddenly again, part (or all) of the herds of migration return to graze on the lush new grass.
The wildebeest and zebra should be in the Central Serengeti by June, preparing for the most difficult leg of their journey- river crossings (about June to August). Even the wildebeest do not know when they will cross. In short of why the migration is unpredictable is because it depends with the weather and climatic condition.
5. For wildebeest migration, river crossing is the most difficult and dangerous barriers.
Many river crossings are home to hippos and Nile crocodiles. Hundreds of wildebeest may perish if they choose a time or site to cross when the water is too high or rapid, in addition to predators who take advantage of the flood.
6. There is no natural leader among wildebeest.
One of the fascinating facts about the wildebeest migration is this. While the magnificent wildebeest migration captivates many visitors, it’s surprising that these migratory herds have no natural leaders to guide them. These wildebeest migrate in enormous herds from the Serengeti, where the journey begins, to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and on to the Mara River to Kenya. Because these migrating herds have no leaders, they are occasionally split up into tiny herds that follow the same route as the giant herds.
7. It’s Not Just only Wildebeest.
If you’re considering a Tanzania Migration Safari and are wondering what else you’ll see besides millions of migrating wildebeests, you can be assured that it will be an unforgettable adventure. This migrating herd includes not just wildebeests but also 300,000 zebras and 470,000 antelopes such as impalas, eland, and Thompson’s gazelles but also some of the larger groups of predators such as lions, cheetah and hyena who follows the migration to hunt, Facts About Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration .
8. Their larger population/ numbers are their strongest weapon for their survival.
Predators pursuing huge herds for hunting are the most serious threat these migrating herds face. Predators such as lions and spotted hyenas are expert hunters and killers. The only weapon against these monsters is their sheer numbers, which forces them to battle and save themselves. During their annual migration, however, these carnivores can kill almost 250,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra, Facts About Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration .
9. In just two months, half a million calves are born.
Every year, between January and early March, over 400,000 wildebeest calves are born on the Serengeti’s southeastern grasslands. It’s also calving season for zebras and antelopes, as this is when they give birth to their young. Many people believe that this is the best time to visit the Serengeti since they may witness the newborn animals but also so many predators.
The young are, of course, the most vulnerable members of the Great Migration herds. Only one in every three calves will make it back to the Serengeti’s southern plains alive in a year. In some ways, the Great Migration’s continuation is a numbers game.
10. The survival of wildebeests is dependent on zebras.
The Great Migration’s animals are grazers. The hunt for greener pastures is the driving force behind their continual movement. The Great Migration’s wildebeests are picky eaters, they only consume grass shoots. Zebras, on the other hand, have no preference. They consume the fresh, tall grass and “mow it down” in the process. The wildebeests can then enter and feed on the shorter grass that they require to thrive. As a result, the nearly 200,000 zebras that walk peacefully alongside the Great Migration’s wildebeests virtually ensure the latter’s existence, Facts About Tanzania Great Wildebeest Migration .
WHY DO THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATE EVERY YEAR?
The wildebeest travel from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara solely to follow the rain. They always begin their calving cycle in the Southern Serengeti area of Ndutu in December and March, and then follow where the grass is greener.
