A Guide to the Great Migration in Tanzania Book : If you believe The Great Migration is the spectacle of millions of wildebeests and zebras herding over the Mara River into Kenya, you are only partially right. Indeed, this is the momentous occasion of the river crossing, when a plethora of species makes its way into the Masai Mara Reserve. However, the breathtaking panorama in front of you is only a small portion of the grazers’ yearly journey between Tanzania and Kenya, which forms an endless vast circle.
These swarms of grazers follow the various ecosystems throughout the year as they naturally seek for taller grasses. They have to navigate perilous river crossings and deadly predators like large cats, who are also innately aware of these groups and are waiting to attack, at every turn. Along this 620-mile (1000-kilometer) road of survival, each group fights for survival.
There are plenty of opportunities to experience the magnitude, thrill, and wonder of this massive event in Tanzania if you were unable to attend The Great Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara. All you need to do is know how to time your safari in Kenya and Tanzania to coincide with the wildlife migration path.
The Birthing Season.
June through October is often the busiest time of year for the Masai Mara migration; however, in November, when the brief rains start, the vast majority of animals heads south, crossing the Mara River once more on their way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tanzania’s eastern Serengeti.
Thick, nutrient-rich grasses blanket the Ngorongoro, the world’s largest intact volcanic crater, turning lush after rain. Once again, instincts take over as tens of thousands of wildebeest mothers gather here to give birth, gestate, and care for their children.
A wildebeest mother and calf during the calving season.
Hundreds of thousands of young gazelles, zebras, and wildebeests, along with other species like giraffes and monkeys, are on display at these birthing fields. Even the predators give birth to their young at this time of year; lions, leopards, and cheetahs are among the ravenous cubs.
Over half a million wildlife babies will amaze you if you go on a safari in this section of Tanzania during the birthing season. They will be wailing, baying, and stumbling as they try to nurse, stand, and join their herd.
If you happen to visit these bountiful fields later in the spring, have a seat and observe as hundreds of thousands of children join their elders and recommence their unending march. They can detect new grasses to the west and north, their intuition sharpened by the far-off storms. When the mating season begins in May, the males engage in intense head-to-head competitions for dominance, forming enormous migration lines that stretch for miles.
We can show you the numerous facets of this annual Great Migration, from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti and beyond. This is a great spectacle of a different type. You are free to select any or all of the stages you would like to see in this amazing wildlife migration.
