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The Great Migration in Africa: Where & When You Should See It

The Great Migration in Africa: Where & When You Should See It

Original content owned & copyrighted by Green Global Travel.

One of the world’s most quintessential wildlife experiences, the yearly Unconfined Migration in Africa is an event like no other.

Millions of Zebras, Wildebeest, and other antelope species make this incredible journey wideness Tanzania and Kenya every year, facing Crocodile- infested waters and terrestrial predators (Lions, Leopards, etc) withal the way.

To witness such an event in the rookery of humanity is an emotional wits that could never be fully captured by mere photos or words.

Africa’s Unconfined Migration takes place in some of the most wildlife-rich natural areas in the world, making the wits all that increasingly rewarding.

This is one of those world travel skillet list items that we all dream of experiencing during our lifetime.

Here’s a unenduring guide on where, when, and why every nature lover should see the Unconfined Migration in Africa!

READ MORE: The 25 Weightier National Parks in Africa for Wildlife Safaris

Masai Giraffe Closeup in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Masai Giraffe in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Why Africa’s Unconfined Migration is Special

Consisting of millions of animals, East Africa’s Unconfined Migration is the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world.

Its stage encompasses some of the most scenic ecosystems on Earth, including the most well-known reserve on the continent (Serengeti National Park).

The migration is an uncounted spin in which the whirligig of life is showcased in its purest form.

Like the hands on a clock, a seemingly never- ending stream of fauna make their way wideness Africa’s landscape in search of supplies and water, never knowing how much time they may have left.

The Unconfined Migration is a famously treacherous journey in which the animals must not only find supplies to sustain themselves, but moreover requite lineage to the future generations that will alimony the yearly migration alive.

It’s a archetype game of survival of the fittest, and its contenders are some of the most majestic and resilient creatures Africa has to offer.

READ MORE: Animals in Kenya: A Guide to 40 Species of Kenyan Wildlife

Leopard in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Male Leopard in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Where to See the Unconfined Migration in Africa

The Unconfined Migration is unlike other natural events you might find elsewhere in the world.

The unpredictable journey’s timing and word-for-word locations are constantly changing, evolving based on current conditions.

Rain (and the lack thereof) is the main ingredient that dictates where and when the herds will be during a specific period of the year.

The only thing you can rest unpreventable of is the fact that the event will take place wideness Tanzania and Kenya.

But let’s explore some of the many East African National Parks and reserves that offer the weightier endangerment to see this natural spectacle:

READ MORE: Top 10 Tanzania National Parks & Reserves (The Ultimate Tanzania Safari)

Warthogs & Hyena at a Ngorongoro Conservation Area Watering Hole
Ngorongoro Conservation Area- Watering Hole by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Great Migration in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)

Located in Tanzania’s north, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the place to see newborn Wildebeest and Zebras during calving season.

The zillions of young prey moreover ways you might have a greater endangerment of experiencing Lion, Leopard, and other predator attacks during your visit.

READ MORE: The 10 Weightier Places for African Safari Tours

Baby Zebra in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Zebras in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Great Migration in Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

This is definitely one of the weightier places to witness the Unconfined Migration, as large herds of Wildebeest and Zebra uncork to congregate.

The Grumeti River makes for an imposing windbreak which the animals need to gather up the valiance to cross.

It’s moreover here where the Wildebeest will uncork to mate, hopefully offsetting their population losses during the migration.

READ MORE: The 20 Safest Countries in Africa to Visit

wildebeest migration masai mara

Great Migration in Mara River (Tanzania & Kenya)

Animals that survive the Grumeti River crossing now squatter an plane increasingly daunting task.

Crossing the turbulent Mara River will requite them wangle to the fertile grasslands of the Maasai Mara.

But the threat of crocodile attacks here increases considerably, often causing unconfined panic among the herds.

This makes the Mara River a unconfined place to witness dramatic attacks, as well as the triumphant herds that manage to make it safely to the other side.

READ MORE: The 20 Weightier Wildlife Parks & Wildlife Tours in the World

Topis in the Olare-Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya
Topis in the Olare-Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

Great Migration in Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)

The animals that make it to these feeding grounds can now fatten up surpassing returning to the Ngorongoro to requite lineage again.

But they moreover squatter one of East Africa’s greatest densities of lions.

The survivors will make their way south in a few months, leaving overdue the big cats that preyed upon them to defend their home territories.

The Maasai Mara moreover offers spanking-new sightings of Elephants and Giraffes, as well as rarer species such as the Topi.

READ MORE: The 7 Weightier Safari Parks & Game Reserves in Kenya

When To Go: The Unconfined Migration Timeline

Zebra & Impala in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Zebra & Impala in Maasai Mara National Reserve by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

January-March

At this time of year the unconfined herds of Wildebeest and Zebra are spread out wideness the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The majority of females will requite lineage during a 2-3 week window.

April-May

The herds will now move on to the Moru Kopjes and Seronera areas, en route to the Serengeti’s Western Corridor.

This is not a unconfined time or place to witness the Unconfined Migration, as heavy rains and flooded roads make reaching the herds very difficult.

READ MORE: Embracing the Culture of the Maasai People in Tanzania

A family of cheetahs in the Maasai Mara of Kenya
A family of cheetahs in the Maasai Mara of Kenya photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

June-July

The herds will now uncork to congregate and struggle to safely navigate the Grumeti River. Mating moreover occurs during this time.

Easily wieldy camps withal the river offer incredible safari options to witness the migration in progress.

August-October

The herds will navigate over from the northern verge of Serengeti National Park into the Maasai Mara Reserve during this period.

They will squatter their hardest challenge, crossing the Mara River, which offers incredible wildlife viewing.

Safaris on the Maasai Mara are wonderful for viewing not only the migration, but moreover a wide variety of local wildlife.

READ MORE: 20 Endangered African Animals You Can See on a Safari

Facts well-nigh Elephants: Endangered Elephant with reflection in Serengeti National Park
Elephant reflection in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

November-December

Now the herds will uncork to make their way south through Loliondo. They struggle to time their inrush on the southern Serengeti plains as the much-needed rains finally uncork to fall. The lucky ones will once then requite lineage to the next generation of East Africa’s migratory wanderers. –by Megan Jerrard courtesy of Green Travel Media

BIO: Megan Jerrard is an Australian Journalist and the founder and Senior Editor of Mapping Megan, an topnotch travel blog bringing you the latest in venture travel from all over the globe.

The post The Unconfined Migration in Africa: Where & When You Should See It appeared first on Green Global Travel.


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