The Great Migration of East Africa

Throughout the year, the herbivores of East Africa migrate between Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. The migration includes about 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 500,000 Thomson's gazelle. It is truly one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles on our planet.

What makes the animals migrate in this way? Food. The availability of green grass determines where the herbivores head and when. While the clockwise motion of the migration follows the rains and the green grass, the entire cycle can be somewhat unpredictable as the timing and direction are totally dependent on local weather patterns and conditions.

From approximately January to March, the animal herds are located in the south-eastern region of the Serengeti where the short grass plains are lush and green. This is also the time when huge numbers of the wildebeest give birth. It's an exciting time to be in the area and one of the best ways to take advantage of wildlife viewing is to be based from a seasonal mobile camp that moves with the migration.

During our summer months and peak travel season for North America (June to August), the migration is in the north-western and northern reaches of the Serengeti, moving into the Masai Mara. Depending on the month, camps in the Grumeti region--such as Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp--and the far northern Serengeti--such as Sayari Camp--are ideally located to observe the wildlife.

From August through early October the Migration is in Kenya and camps such as Rekero Camp, Saruni Masai Mara and Porini Lion Camp are great spots to watch the drama unfold. The Mara Intrepids Camp is located right near some of the common wildebeest crossing sites on the Mara and Talek Rivers. And, as usual, along with the migrating herds come excellent predator

sightings.

In October and November, the animals begin returning to Tanzania from Kenya and the eastern and central Serengeti are filled with the herds. Camps like Klein's Camp and Olakira can be perfectly placed for viewing herds of thousands wildebeest. By December the herds have returned to the Southern Serengeti and the whole cycle begins all over again.

*images courtesy of Asilia Lodges