Safari in May wildebeest migration pattern

Safari in May wildebeest migration pattern – Serengeti National Park Tanzania

Safari in May wildebeest migration pattern – Here it starts to get real as the dusty clouds appear towards River Grumeti as the wildebeest advance to the Mara River to prepare for the massive crossing that usually starts in July! The massed herds are on the go, huge columns of up to 40 kilometres / 25 miles in length can sometimes be seen as the wildebeest funnel up into the central and western Serengeti. Water sources are starting to dry out as the dry season begins to bite, hence the march towards the Mara River.

After bearing their young in February and March, around April the wildebeest herds begin to drift north-west towards the fresher grass of the central Serengeti, drawing with them thousands of zebra and smaller groups of antelope.  Mating season begins and male wildebeest battle head-to-head. Throughout ‘the rut’, the journey continues at leisure, with the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle grazing as they go along.  By May, columns of wildebeest stretch for several kilometres as the animals start to congregate by the Moru Kopjes, near to Dunia camp, of the few camps in the Serengeti that offers migration viewing at this time of year.

Gradually, the movement gathers momentum and, by the end of May, the wildebeest are starting to mass in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor.  At this time of the year, Ubuntu Migration Camp (true to its name) will have relocated to follow the migration and provide access to watch the wildebeest cross the Grumeti River.  They herds form in huge numbers along the pools and channels of the river, which they have to cross in order to continue on their journey. This may not be as spectacular as the famous Mara crossings, but there are still enough wildebeest to provide the Grumeti crocs with a veritable feast.

Safari highlights.

Safari in may wildebeest migration pattern – Pretty much all travel guides talk about seasonal attractions, but we’re safari experts so this booking advice is about what safaris to book during the months of May and June to ensure that you can have the best lodges, guides and locations on your vacation, whether you’re travelling now or the coming year.

If you want to see the best of Africa on your safari then you need to know when to book which activities and destinations to make sure you get front-row seats, whether you want to witness a natural spectacle, like wildebeest migration, or a natural wonder, like Victoria Falls flooding season.

Whether you are planning to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, Trek the chimpanzees in Uganda spend your honeymoon in the Seychelles, come face to face with mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda timing is important.