Filming Wildebeest Migration

The great Migration/ great wild show on earth. Its the greatest mass migration of animals on planet earth.  The great migration/ wildebeest migration occurs between Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and Serengeti national Park in Tanzania.

The great Migration involves hundreds and thousands of Zebras, antelopes, gazelles, wildebeest among others. The animals fights hard battle to cross Mara River which is a colony of crocodiles and Hippopotamus. Wildebeest migration takes place every year with the animals primal instincts guiding them towards greener pastures following the climatic rain fall patterns over the Serengeti – Maasai Mara eco-system.

The great migration of animals starts from mid- July and it takes place till end of August, before declining into mid September. The herds move in a clockwise direction, up from the south of the Serengeti, through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, and the Grumeti Reserve. They then leave Tanzania briefly to spend time in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, which borders Serengeti National Park to the north, before heading back south to start the journey again. Most of the migration takes place in the far larger Serengeti than in the Maasai Mara.

What is the estimated number of wildebeests on annual migration? about two Million wildebeest, starts in the south of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, with the birth of half a million calves between January and March. In addition to wildebeest are the zebras and antelopes which also move a total of 800Km a complete journey.

Reasons for wildebeest  Migration

Millions of animals move migrate to look for greener and nutritious pastures. The animals keep on rotating Masai Mara and Serengeti.

Wildebeest also migrate to look for calving ground filled with greener pastures for feeding. Serengeti has safer breading ground full of nutritious green pasture to give the new babies a good start in life.

The great migration is also determined by the season. Dry season comes with low growth of pastures and the desire to feed, forces the animals to move to places with plenty of rainfall.

Hide for lives – wildebeest migrate to save their lives from predators. While in the wild animals encounter carnivorous animals like leopards, Hyenas, crocodiles and so on. Such fresh eaters survive on zebras, Impala, wildebeests and so on.

Band wagon influence – wildebeest moves due to band wagon from some animals. on seeing some animals moving, others also attracted to move but they experience difficulty when crossing River Mara and River Grumeti, a colony of hippos and hungry lions among others.

Annual period to see the great Wildebeest Migration

January to early march – this is the best time to see the wildebeest in Serengeti national park. This is the period when wildebeest calve – as there is an abundance of food in the form of vulnerable young wildebeest, sightings of lions, hyenas, and other predators are particularly good during this time.

How wildebeest Migrations moves

The great migration occurs throughout the year while animals aim at making a circuit between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Wildbeest migration starts in southern Serengeti moving clockwise towards Maasai mara National Reserve in Kenya.

January: Herd spread to graze across the southern Serengeti lust short grass plain.

February: Most of the calf in a 2-3 weeks and mature animals spread out across the short grass plains.

March: Animals continue spreading over the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti, Loliondo and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).

April: Herds starts moving north words through Moru Kopjes and Seronera area. Seronera area is part of Serengeti national park which is located in the northern part of Tanzania. It is found in the central part of Serengeti national park. Kopje – is a spiny tree native to Africa. The African Candelabra trees are also known as desert cactus.

May: Migration heads Serenera towards the western Corridor.

June: Herbs mass in the western corridor, bunching before crossing the River Grumeti. Grumeti River is situated in Mara Region, Tanzania, situated almost entirely within the western corridor of Serengeti National Park.

July: Some herds cross to the Grumeti River and head through Grumeti reserve. Other herds head north in the park.

August: Herds pass through Korongo and into the far north west of the National park.

September: Herds in the northern Serengeti National Park and in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

October: Grazing in the far north of the serengeti and cross in the mara

November: Moving south through Loliondo, on the eastern side of the Serengeti National Park.

December: Arriving on the east side of the short grass plains in time for the rain.