By Adrian Ssali for the Kenya safari Packages company

East Africa is a region of all talents with outstanding attractions such as the Might River Nile and its source in Uganda, the Kilimanjaro mountains in Tanzania and the Masai in Kenya. You will explore East Africa but your tour will not be complete if you miss out on the great wildebeest migration.

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Each year around 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra (along with other antelope) gather up their young and start their long trek from Tanzania's Serengeti Plains, further north to Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve. This is an annual natural occurrence that takes place in Kenya and Tanzania and is believed to be the greatest wildlife show on planet earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, big herds wildebeest and zebras migrate to palatable pastures as the seasons change. Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting for an opportunity to feast on weak animals especially the ungulates.

The annual Wildebeest Migration is a very unpredictable and spontaneous as its timing keeps on changing depending on the rains (Weather pattern). It is believed that 450 animal species move for 300 miles in this migration unfortunately a lot of them don’t make it, falling prey to lions, leopards, crocodiles and drowning in the Mara River. This event is like a circle that repeats it self every year.

One of the most breath taking sights of the migration is when the herds congregate to cross the Grumeti River (Tanzania) and the Mara River (Kenya) from July through September. As the herds cross, crocodiles are lying in wait for any puny and feeble ungulates that can't deal with the strong currents or separate from their mothers.

But the river crossings aren't the only scene. Just witnessing thousands of animals on the plains is a sight in itself. It’s so amazing to watch the Lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs follow the herds and give safari goers excellent chances of seeing a kill in action.

The great wildebeest migration is dynamic changing in time and location but the following information can be used as a guideline.

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In December through March large herds of wildebeest, Zebra and other ungulates camp in the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation areas in northern Tanzania. This is time is for calving which term is used for giving birth to the wildebeest young ones (calves). Most of the wildebeest calves are born in just a three week period, usually the beginning of February. Calves attract predators and this is an amazing time of year to watch impressive lion hunts (kills). It's also quite stunning to see almost half a million little wildebeest being born and running together with their mothers.

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During this time you can watch the migration from southern Ndutu and Salei plains. For your accommodation you can stay in Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Camp, Lemala Ndutu Camp and any mobile tented camps in the area. 

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