Wildebeest Calving Season in Serengeti, Tanzania

Wildebeest Calving Extravaganza in Serengeti Tanzania – Exploring Ndutu Region in Serengeti National Park

Embarking on the wildebeest calving season in the great Serengeti plains is an enthralling journey, unfolding after the rutting season in May and June. This marks the time when the wildebeest, having prepared in the Grumeti area, set forth on one of the most breathtaking spectacles on earth – the renowned annual migration, often dubbed the “World Cup of Africa” by avid animal enthusiasts. Millions of wildebeest and thousands of zebras partake in this grand procession.

The Serengeti plains, a vast canvas, host hundreds of thousands of animals during this migration. In June and July, wildebeest traverse the Grumeti River, moving northwest in the park, creating a spectacle that tops the bucket lists of many safari enthusiasts. This migration, considered one of East Africa’s must-see safari highlights, is second only to the gorilla tracking experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

As December approaches, the herds journey back south to the southern Serengeti, feasting on the short green grasses of the plains. However, the pinnacle of the Serengeti unfolds in late January and early February with the wildebeest calving season. Witnessing approximately 8,000 young wildebeest being born daily during this peak period is an unparalleled spectacle. The Serengeti comes alive with predators, including lions, hyenas, and cheetahs, awaiting their chance for a kill. The vulnerable young, taking their first steps, are a feast for the eyes.

Female wildebeest instinctively lead the way to the short grass plains, forming a protective barricade around birthing mothers. This strategic move safeguards the vulnerable newborns during birth, a survival tactic aptly termed “survival for the fattest” in the wild. This is just one facet of the challenges the wildebeest face during the dangerous Mara River crossing, which occurs from July to October between the open plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara.

Prime Locations for Calving Season in Serengeti Tanzania

The southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains play host to the wildebeest calving season, drawing a large number of predators from the southern Serengeti and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Mobile Camps for an Authentic Experience

For an authentic “Out of Africa” luxury safari experience during the calving season, consider mobile migration camps that strategically position themselves close to the wildebeest. Notable options include Olakira Mobile Camp in the Ndutu region of the southern Serengeti, Ubuntu Mobile Camp near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Kimondo Mobile Camp deep in the southern Serengeti. These camps, with wooden and canvas tents, promise exceptional game and predator activity sightings between January and February.

Permanent Lodges for a Luxurious Stay

If a permanent lodge is preferred, Mwiba Safari Lodge stands out as a favorite in the southern Serengeti. Nestled in the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, it overlooks a rocky gorge on the Arugusinyai River. The lodge boasts eight elegantly decorated double suites with retreat-like bathrooms, large soaking tubs, outdoor showers, and copper fixtures. Surrounded by lush botanicals and ancient coral and acacia trees, the lodge provides a stunning deck for panoramic views. Mwiba Lodge offers excursions into the heart of the calving area, providing an up-close encounter with this natural phenomenon. Beyond game drives, the lodge offers various activities, including bush walks, cultural village tours, and rock art tours.

Whether opting for a mobile-tented camp or a permanent lodge, experiencing the wildebeest calving season in Serengeti  National Park, Tanzania promises an unforgettable adventure. For more information and assistance in planning this extraordinary journey, contact Trek Africa Expeditions.