African savannas and woodlands host some of the planet’s most impressive natural spectacles: large mammal migrations. These journeys involve millions of animals moving across vast landscapes, showcasing the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the influence of environmental rhythms on wildlife behavior.
The Drivers of Movement
Seasonal changes in resource availability compel large mammals to migrate across Africa. Rainfall patterns dictate the growth of nutrient-rich forage and the presence of water sources, fundamental for supporting large herds. As one area dries, animals instinctively move towards regions where recent rains have stimulated fresh plant growth, ensuring a continuous supply of food and hydration.
Predator avoidance also plays a role in these movements, as herds seek safety in numbers across open plains. Breeding cycles further influence migratory timing, with many species moving to specific areas for calving or mating when conditions are most favorable for their young. These environmental cues orchestrate the annual journeys.
The Great Migration
The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, spanning northern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya, is home to the world’s largest terrestrial mammal migration. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, alongside hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelles, undertake a continuous circular journey across these plains. This epic movement is primarily driven by the search for fresh grazing and water, following seasonal rainfall patterns.
The migration typically begins with the calving season between January and March in the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu Conservation Area in Tanzania. Here, an estimated 8,000 calves are born daily during peak times. As the southern plains dry, the herds move northward, often passing through the central Serengeti in April and May.
By June and July, the wildebeest cross the Grumeti River in Tanzania’s western Serengeti, where crocodiles wait. Later, between July and October, the migration reaches the northern Serengeti and crosses the Mara River into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. These river crossings present significant obstacles, including strong currents and waiting predators.
As short rains begin in November and December, the herds commence their return journey south, completing the cycle back to the southern Serengeti.
Other Key Migratory Landscapes
Beyond the Serengeti-Mara, other significant mammal migrations unfold across Africa.
Liuwa Plain Wildebeest Migration
Zambia’s Liuwa Plain National Park hosts Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration. Approximately 40,000 to 50,000 wildebeest, accompanied by zebra and other antelopes, traverse these vast floodplains, following seasonal rains and new vegetation.
Makgadikgadi Pans Zebra Migration
Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan National Parks are the setting for a notable zebra migration. Around 30,000 zebras migrate from the Okavango Delta region to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park when the rains begin in November and December, seeking nutrient-rich grasses. This journey, which can cover up to 500 kilometers, involves herds staying in the Makgadikgadi area until around March before returning to the Okavango Delta.
Gourma Elephant Migration
In Mali, the Gourma region supports a population of desert-adapted elephants. These elephants undertake a circular migration route covering over 32,000 square kilometers, the longest known elephant migration circuit. They move in search of food and water, adapting to harsh desert conditions.
Great Nile Migration
South Sudan’s Boma-Jonglei Landscape is home to the Great Nile Migration, involving approximately six million antelope. This movement includes white-eared kob, Mongalla gazelle, tiang, and Bohor reedbuck, making it the largest land mammal migration on Earth by number of individuals. These species seasonally traverse the landscape, extending into Gambella National Park in Ethiopia.
Protecting Migratory Corridors
The survival of Africa’s large mammal migrations depends on the preservation of their migratory corridors. These pathways connect habitats, allowing animals to move freely between seasonal grazing grounds and water sources. National parks and protected areas form the core of these landscapes, but animals often travel beyond their boundaries.
Cross-border conservation efforts are important for maintaining these routes, especially as migrations frequently span multiple countries. Human development, including agriculture, settlements, roads, and fences, can fragment these pathways. Protecting these corridors supports the continued existence of these natural phenomena and the ecological balance they represent.