Greater Serengeti Conservation Society
Over two million wildebeest and zebras accompanied by Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles and eland, move in close proximity across Greater Serengeti in one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the world.
The seasonal rains set the stage for wildlife movement in Serengeti. The trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres converge around the equator forming a semi-permanent and high-pressure belt known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
This meteorological phenomenon travels seasonally back and forth across the equator. When south of the equator, the convergence zone brings relatively dry northeast winds and some moisture – the “short rains” – from about November to January.
When north of the equator it draws moisture laden southeasterly winds from the Indian Ocean resulting in heavy rains – the “long rains” – from about March to May. The dry season extends from July through October – correlating with the peak tourist season.
During January, February and March, wildebeest and zebra are feeding on the fresh, nutritious grasses across the plains of Southern Serengeti, Loliondo and Ngorongoro, with most wildebeest calves born during this time in a 2-3 weeks window. Gradually they start spreading west, then around April they begin their great migration northwards, through Moru Kopjes and Seronera.
The herds move through Seronera towards the Western Corridor, seeking fresh grazing and water. Herds congregate in high density before crossing Grumeti River.
The wildebeest migration continues moving northwards during July and August, often spreading out across a broad front: some heading through Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo, others north through the heart of the Serengeti National Park.
September sees the herds spread out across the northern Serengeti. Mara River provides the migration with its most serious obstacle. Watching the frantic herds of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River can be very spectacular.
By October the wildebeest herds are migrating again with more accord: all are heading south, through western Loliondo and the Serengeti National Park’s Lobo area, returning to the green shoots which follow the rains on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti in November.
