The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest mammal migration on the planet Earth. Over two million wildebeest, along with zebra, and gazelle, travel in a nearly year-round loop through the Savannah lands of Tanzania and Kenya. This epic journey is driven by the constant search for fresh water and grazing land.
The wildebeest herds move in a clockwise direction, following the rains. They spend most of the year in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, but during the dry season (from May to October), they move north into the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This northward trek is what most people call the Great Wildebeest Migration.
One of the most dramatic parts of the migration is the crossing of the Mara River. The river is infested with crocodiles, and many wildebeest die during the crossing. However, the wildebeest are determined to reach the greener pastures on the other side. In essence, they therefore make it to the fresher and greener pastures that are in Kenya's Masai Mara National Park.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is an amazing spectacle of nature, and hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the two East African countries of Tanzania and Kenya to witness this amazing scene. The travellers basically visit the Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara Game Park in South Western Kenya.
Heavy rains in both countries have, however, disrupted the usual movement of wildlife. The movement is likely to occur later than usual. The factors affecting this unique movement, as have been witnessed in previous rainy years, include:
Disrupted River Crossings: Very strong currents can make the Mara River crossings dangerous or even impossible, delaying the migration.
Nutrient Deficiency and Dilution: Excessive rain can dilute the nutrients in the fresh grasses, making them less nutritious for the wildebeest, especially for pregnant and lactating females.
Habitat Damage: Flooding can damage the grasslands and riverbanks, making them less suitable for grazing and breeding. It's important to note that some rain is beneficial for the migration. It triggers the growth of fresh grasses that the wildebeest depend on.
Despite the negative consequences of devastating rains, there are also positive effects, as the wildlife will have more food to sustain the new cycle of life that is brought about by the birth of hundreds of thousands of new herbivores to grace the African Savannah. For travellers expecting to view the migration, my advice would be to travel a bit later. Instead of arriving in Mara in Kenya in late June, it would be better to arrive in mid-July and continue until the end of August to early October 2024. Late June to early July 2024 would be an ideal time to visit the Serengeti as, it is most likely, the vast herds will still be in that region.