Every year in Africa, blue wildebeests take on a journey in search of better pastures and water from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to Masai Mara game reserve. This stunning migration involves 1.5 million wildebeests, thousands of zebras and gazelles closely followed by predators like lions, leopards and cheetahs while huge crocodiles wait at Grumeti and Mara rivers.
Migration herds cover a distance of about 800 kilometers where some 250,000 wildebeests and 80,000 animals don’t make it due to predation, hunger, thirst and exhaustion.
About 1.5 million wildebeests are. Joined by 400,000 zebras, 250,0000 gazelles and other antelopes. These animals are able to graze together because they eat different parts of the same grass. Predators also wait for opportunities to grab a meal while the herds are on the move.
Wildebeests migration in May
The great wildebeests migration is a continuous process all year round but most people visiting want to witness the outstanding river crossings. In May there are no river crossings but wildebeests dispersed across the plains moving towards the northern parts of Serengeti national park.
During the month of May, wildebeests herds start moving to Moru Kopjes and west of Seronera in the northern areas of Serengeti national park. The calves are now grown up and ready to take on a long journey to Masai Mara.
By the end of May wildebeests start to conjugate around Grumeti which they have to cross in June despite having numerous crocodiles. May is also part of the rutting season where you spot several males fighting for female wildebeests.
May also brings an end to the long rain season. During this time rain can fall at anytime of the day and some roads get hard to traverse. However this is a perfect chance for photographing plus some lodges give off season rates making it affordable for budget travelers.
Tourists visiting Serengeti national park in May can sleep around Namisiri plains, Seronera and Central Serengeti. Some of the lodges to sleep in include Serengeti safari camp, serengeti under covers, Asilia’s Ubuntu camp, Lemala Ewajan camp, Dunia camp, Namiri plains camp and Mbuzi Mawe Serena camp to mention a few.
Although May isn’t the best month to visit Serengeti national park due to heavy rains always dispersing migration herds. Budget travelers can take advantage of low rates offered in most hotels.
