One of the Great Spectacles on Earth

The migration of the wildebeest in Kenya and Tanzania is one of the great spectacles on earth. Every year, the 1.8 million wildebeest plus 500,000 zebra, and over 100,000 plains game migrate to green pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death continues. Wildebeest are the only land animal to synchronize birthing to within a 2/3 week period, at a time and place when there is plenty of grass and water to drink. Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their way into different territories.

The precise timing of the migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event. The calving season takes place in the Serengeti between January and mid March, before the wildebeest migrations begins heading toward the western Serengeti in June. There are over 400,000 calves born each year. Many are lost during the migration.

During the four months of trekking, these animals are in desperate need of water to drink and grass to graze. Many young calves die from exhaustion and thirst before they reach the Mara River. Those that do survive fac many more obstacles as they cross the river. Depending on rainfall they may face deep, fast moving water and steep banks. Hundreds of animals can die during the crossing, littering the banks of the river with corpses which are quickly taken care of by crocodiles, hyenas and lions.

I was lucky enough to see the migration one year, and it is a dramatic sight that I will always remember. as far as the eye can see, I saw wildebeest and zebra running along the Serengeti. I hope the picutres I have posted give you some idea of the enormity of this migraWildebeest are migratiory animals, they migrate in a circular direction, following water and fresh grass. Survival is difficult for this animal, as they are particularly smart, swift or strong. Their great numbers protect them, but hundreds of thousands die every year.

If you're planning a trip to East Africa, which you should if you haven't been, be sure to check on the the migration. There are several seasons to go, depending on the area, and definitely check with the tour operator. It's a trip you will remember forever, esopecially the image of the wildebeest migration.