The Great Wildebeest Migration From Serengeti To Masai Mara : Tanzania’s ecosystem’s most amazing and expansive game show is the “Great Wildebeest Migration.” When you observe the migration in real-time, you can feel the ground trembling beneath your feet. Tanzania’s ecosystem forces wildebeests and other herbivores to travel across rivers in search of food each year when they come into contact with predators in an effort to survive. All year round, the wildebeests continue their annual migration cycle in search of new meadows and enough water. We will talk about a few facts about the Great Wildebeest Migration.
The greatest concentration of migratory species, including zebras and wildebeests, can be found in the Serengeti region, which is widely recognized for this characteristic. During their migration, the Seronera region was inhabited primarily by wildebeests. Over 1.7 million wildebeests travel the 1200 miles between Serengeti and Masai Mara.
The younger wildebeests become stronger due to the nutrients from the fresh grasses growing on the filthy ground. During their massive migration, wildebeests traverse rivers, forests, and meadows. They encounter strong currents and crocodiles while traversing the Mara and Grumeti rivers.
The yearly cycle of the great migration
Mother Nature’s performance of the big wildebeest migration event occurs annually. The herds of wildebeests persist all year, despite the fact that many of them are killed by hunters during the migration. The birthing season for wildebeests is January and February. Thus, the calving season is another name for this time of year. More than 500,000 wildebeests are born on a single day, according to the data. In order to obtain nutrients from the grasses of dirty areas, the herds of wildebeests gradually migrate from their grassy plains in the southern Serengeti to the Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation areas. The ground is dirty from the volcanic explosion that occurred many years ago. Mother Wildebeest’s milk becomes more nutritious from the fresh grasses, enabling them to nourish their newborn calves.
The herds cross the Ndutu Lake in March, and in April they begin their northward migration over the Maswa Game Reserve toward the middle Serengeti. In search of new grass and water, the migratory individuals in May go toward the western corridors, traversing the Moru Kopjes and Seronera areas. Zebra, gazelle, and buffalo herds join the migration during the trek. Both the southern Serengeti region, sometimes known as Seronera, and the northern Serengeti region are well-known for the migration.
In July, you can see them from the south bank of the Grumeti River. The wildebeests congregate in one location with other animals before crossing the Grumeti River. Large-scale herd consolidation is formed during the great wildebeest migration. The herds encounter crocodile assaults while crossing the river, and thousands of them perish, but they press on. On a grander scale, the migration traverses the Northern Serengeti in July and August, heading north. Thus, it is also known as the Great Wildebeest Migration of the Serengeti. The massive group splits into two groups in July; one group travels to the Grumeti Reserve, while the other group proceeds to Serengeti National Park.
The Great wildebeest travels through Ikorongo in August, heading northwest. The huge wildebeest migration crosses the Mara River and enters the northern Serengeti National Park between August and September. The Mara River presents a significant barrier to the herds of wildebeests. You can witness the meeting between the crocodiles and other predators and the wildebeests during this period. The Great wildebeest migration arrives in Kenya’s Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve between August and October. Following the rain, the Great migration moves eastward via Lolindo and Serengeti National Park and towards the south. The southern Serengeti region’s short-grass plains are reached by herds of wildebeests in December as they follow the rain. The cycle then resumes.
Why do they migrate?
One of the main causes of the wildebeests’ Great migration in search of new grass and an abundance of water has been the rain. In order to find fresh grass and water, they usually search for moist meadows.
The two most crucial aspects of the Great Wildebeest Migration are feeding and strengthening the newborn calves. As a result, migration begins after the January and February calving seasons. A further reality is that fresh, short grass following a rainstorm combined with an abundance of water creates a nutrient-rich mix for mother wildebeests and their young.
In general, the wildebeest’s constant movement is caused by the environment of the Serengeti-Masai Mara. The abundance of flora in the Serengeti region forces the herds to roam about in search of food.
What makes this event so grand?
The world’s most magnificent spectacle is the huge wildebeest migration. It is one of the world’s greatest wonders and the best wildlife event that a nature enthusiast can enjoy. Your heart may be touched by the breathtaking sight and the shivering sensation of the migrating creatures on the ground. The migratory animals seem like an endless swarm of ants when viewed from above and from mountain or hill regions.
Wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other creatures participate in this yearly event in quest of an abundance of water and wholesome food. During this occurrence, over two million mammals travel across various rivers and landscapes, including the Grumeti and Mara rivers. The world’s greatest terrestrial mammal migration takes place in the Serengeti Great Wildebeest Migration. It’s more than simply a circuit movement; it’s the moment when the wildebeest give birth to their young offspring.
The animal migration is a competition where the most fit will live the longest. During the Great Wildebeest Migration, millions of antelopes and zebras accompany the wildebeests, while predators like crocodiles and lions watch them in case they become prey. When predators and prey compete with one another for survival, you can observe how the ecosystem functions.
This is the amazing thing that the ecosystem is doing on Earth. It is the goal of every wildlife enthusiast to witness this event in person and with patience. Anyone can observe the never-ending quest of life on Earth for food and water on this journey.
The best time to go on a safari to see migration in Masai Mara Reserve and Serengeti National Park is during the dry seasons, which run from July to October. Given that it features more than two million mammals, you ought to watch it at least once. The best display of Tanzanian wildlife is found there. It displays the ecosystem’s life cycle from top to bottom.
