Every year in Africa, millions of wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and other wild animals move en masse through the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya, in search of fresh water and lush pastures. This is one of the largest animal migrations in the world, where large herds of wild animals travel hundreds of kilometres to find optimal living conditions. Many events take place during this journey, such as breeding and calving, hunting and river crossings.
When the great migration takes place
Tanzania is a country rich in scenic beauty and the great migration is considered one of the ten wonders of the natural world. The sight of thousands of animals moving together is a breathtaking spectacle that gives strong emotions to those lucky enough to witness this phenomenon. The migration lasts all year round and the movements of the animals are linked to the changing seasons and the rains, which determine the growth of grass in the savannah. The best time to see the great migration is the beginning of the dry season, between July and September, when there are more chances to witness the river crossings.
The beginning of a long journey
If we stop to think about the path of these animals, we are faced with many fascinating questions: How do they know where to go? What makes them not give up despite the difficulties and pitfalls they encounter each time? The wildebeest is one of the great protagonists and leaders of this transhumance. There is always one wildebeest that starts the journey and the others slowly follow it until the whole herd is involved in a journey of around 800 km. The herds stay in the Maasai Mara until November, when the return march begins. They arrive in the Serengeti in December and stay in the southern plains until March, the time and place when the females give birth. The route is always circular and is clockwise.
Other animals involved in migration
The wildebeests and zebras need to drink daily, and this is the fuse that stimulates their departure from arid places to lush places, made so by the rainy season. The route they take is also characterised by various obstacles and dangers. The herds of herbivores are in turn followed by numerous predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs. During the journey they also have to cross two rivers: the Grumeti River in June and the Mara River between late August and September. When they pass from the Tanzanian Serengeti to the Kenyan Maasai Mara, the herds of animals challenge hordes of ravenous crocodiles that punctually exterminate a good number of them.
How to witness the great migration
To see the Great Migration, you can join a tour through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. Spazio Safari organises several tours that include the Serengeti area, where you can witness the migration and admire the scenic beauty of the Serengeti, which includes endless plains, rolling hills and rivers flowing through the savannah. The Great Migration also offers a unique opportunity for photography enthusiasts, who will be able to capture extraordinary images of wild animals on the move and capture wildebeests, zebras, elephants, lions and many other species in a pristine, natural environment.
It is difficult to describe in words a phenomenon such as the Great Migration. To understand the enchantment of this majestic march, you will have to see it with your own eyes. This is a unique and unrepeatable opportunity to witness one of the most important events in the cycles of Mother Nature. Book your safari now and live this dream!