Every year in Africa, over 1.5 million wildebeests followed by thousands of zebras, gazelles, topis, elands and other antelopes. Start a circular 800 to 1000 kilometre journey from around Ngorongoro conservation area. Ndutu plains through Serengeti national park in Tanzania to the neighbouring Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. Conservationists, researchers and scientists suggest that the animals move in search of water and greener pastures.
The migration has come to be known as the great wildebeest’s migration. Due to wildebeests being the highest in number of animals migrating. The great wildebeest migration is one of the seven natural wonders in Africa.
How can I make sure to see a river crossing?
How can I make sure to see a river crossing? The river crossings at the Masai Mara game reserve take place annually from the Grumeti River and the Mara River. Although the river crossings happen at particular months, the exact time or hour when the first wildebeest’s jumps in the river to cross and thousands of others follow can’t be predicted. The best way of making sure you see the river crossings is by visiting Grumeti reserve in Tanzania from May to June and Visiting Masai Mara game reserve from July to September for higher chances of witnessing the river crossings.
Another way of ensuring to see the river crossings is by staying at Grumeti or Masai Mara for many days to increase the possibility of seeing the river crossings.
Mara river crossings
The Mara river crossings are famous and probably the highlight of the overall great wildebeest migration, the crossings start from July to early September every year! Sometimes the crossings take several hours on a good day with wildebeest crossing back to the Tanzanian side in confusion.
The Mara River has the highest concentration of huge Nile crocodiles that ambush wildebeests during the river crossings. The Mara River is responsible for the highest cause of death of wildebeests during the migration.
Grumeti River crossings
The wildebeest’s river crossings at Grumeti River start from May to June every year, much as the crossings are not spectacular and dramatic like the Mara river crossings, tourists visiting Grumeti area from May to June will not experience huge crowds due to low season and some hotels also give discount on accommodation during this time of the year.
The Grumeti River is the first obstacle wildebeests come across their journey to Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya, the river is located at Grumeti game reserve at the western corridor of Serengeti national park flowing westwards into Lake Victoria.
