Facts about the Great Wildebeest Migration
Facts about the Great Wildebeest Migration : Facts about the great wildebeest migration. The great wildebeest migration is the largest on-land animal migration in the world that takes place throughout the Serengeti National Park regions and make way to the Masai Mara Kenya Park, in search for greener pastures and water as the seasons change, all throughout the year. Contrary to what many think that the great wildebeest migration only takes place in a particular tom of the year, the herds move all throughout the year, with the iconic Grumeti River and Mara River crossings being the only times that one ought to time to witness it. The great wildebeest migration can be witnessed all throughout the year.
As you look to plan your great wildebeest migration safari in Serengeti National Park or Masai Mara National Reserve, below are some of the facts about the great wildebeest migration to know;
- The Largest On-land Migration
The great wildebeest migration is the largest overland migration in the entire world. Over 1.5 million wildebeests as well as over 200,000 zebras and other grazers like gazelles, elands and impalas make way through the plains of the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
- The Longest On-Land Migration
One of the facts about the great wildebeest migration is that it is the longest on land animal migration in the world. Apart from being the largest on-land migration, the great wildebeest migration is the longest as well. The great wildebeest migration has the wildebeest herds along other grazers move for 800km or more throughout the yearly cycle.
- A Recent Phenomenon
It is only until the 1960s that the great wildebeest migration began, unlike what it is that most think and believe that the migration has been in existence since the beginning of time.
- The Great Wildebeest Migration Experiences the Circle of Life
Another of the many facts about the great wildebeest migration is that the migration experiences the circle of life, with the migration killing off around 250,000 wildebeests, 30,000 zebras among others every single year, as a result of hunger, thirst, exhaustion and drowning and crushes in stampedes of the animals. The predators that follow the wildebeest migration also see a good number of wildebeest and other grazers feed off them; lions, leopards, hyenas, crocodiles and others easily be seen.
- Wildebeest Calves can Walk As Soon As They are Born
The wildebeest calves that are born during the calving season, the calving season that takes place between the months of January and February ion the southern Serengeti area known as Ndutu, can walk as soon as they are born that they can keep up to speed with the migrating herds. Approximately 8,000 wildebeests are born every day for several weeks during the calving season.
- Spectacular But Dangerous River Crossings
While most travelers looking to witness the great wildebeest migration want to witness the iconic river crossings of say the Grumeti River and Mar River, these sights are spectacular to see, but yet can be quite dangerous to the herds as the Nile crocodiles lie in waiting in the waters, ready to pounce on the migrating herds as they make their way through the rivers.
- Wherever the Great Migration So Shall Lions Be
Throughout the wildebeest migration cycle, be sure to spot a good number of lions s they are known to follow around the migrating herds, ready to pounce and devour any of the unsuspecting animals as they make their way throughout the Serengeti National park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
- No Leader, Move in a Frenzy
The great wildebeest migration herds have no leader t any time of the cycle; they instead make their way throughout the plains of Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve in a frenzy. Though they are seen moving in a frenzy, the wildebeests are more intelligent, and move in a “swarm intelligence” in that they face and explore the park and an obstacle as a group.
- Not Just the Wildebeest
Though known as the great wildebeest migration, it is not just the wildebeest that migrate; more and more grazers like gazelles, zebras, impalas, elands are part of the herds and migrate together, all in search for food and waters as the seasons change.
As you look to visit Tanzania on a Serengeti migration safari, or visit Kenya on a Masai Mara migration safari, be sure that you shall get to witness some of the above mentioned facts about the great wildebeest migration. Whilst on a migration safari, you shall enjoy wildlife watching where you shall see various other animals in Serengeti National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve depending on where you visit. Get in touch with a trusted tour operator to help you pitch an amazing Serengeti migration safari, or Masai Mara migration safari and be amazed at nature.
