24/04/2026
The Great Migration is the world's largest overland wildlife migration, featuring over 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebra, and various gazelles traveling in a clockwise loop of 800-1,000 km. This annual journey takes place between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya's Masai Mara, driven by rain patterns and the search for food and water.
Key Phases of the Migration:
* December–April (Calving Season): Herds gather in the southern Serengeti (near Ngorongoro) where they give birth to roughly 500,000 calves.
* May–July (The Trek North): The dry season starts, prompting herds to move toward the Western Corridor, crossing the Grumeti River.
* August–October (Mara River Crossing): The most dramatic phase, as herds face crocodiles and steep banks to cross the Mara River into Kenya's Masai Mara.
* November–December (Return South): Herds return south through the eastern Serengeti to start the cycle again.
Key Facts:
* Survival Instinct: The journey is dangerous, with roughly 250,000 wildebeest dying annually from exhaustion, hunger, predation, or crocodile attacks.
* Ecological Impact: The migration is vital for the Serengeti ecosystem, influencing vegetation and providing food for predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
