Great Wildebeest Migration
Guide to the Great Wildebeest Migration in January
Ker & Downey® Africa > Luxury Travel Experiences > Great Wildebeest Migration Safaris > Great Wildebeest Migration in January
Calving season begins in the Southern Serengeti
In January, the herd is generally concentrated in the grassy southern plains of the Serengeti spilling over into the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Towards the end of the month, the female wildebeest, zebra and antelope are ready to give birth to their young, and the short rains provide lush, fresh pasture for them to feed on, providing life-giving sustenance to the calves. This is also a perfect opportunity for hungry predators pounce on the new, more helpless members of the herd, and the marshy woodlands and wide-open grasslands are the perfect hunting grounds for big cats.
Because the rain is quite unpredictable in January however, the animals could be moving from the Lobo Valley in the north to Lake Ndutu in the south, so staying somewhere central is recommended to get a better chance of witnessing the herd.
Experiences
Private Walking Safari
A walking safari is the ultimate wildlife experience that gets you up close and personal with nature, offering an incredible perspective on the sheer vastness of the landscape and the animals that you view. With highly experienced and knowledgeable guides leading the way, a walking safari enables you to venture into the domain of the wildlife, going where no vehicle can go, giving you a first-hand experience of true adventure and exploration on foot in the wild African bush.
Where to stay
Sanctuary Kusini Camp
Perched on a rocky outcrop, with breathtaking views of the Serengeti’s remote south, Sanctuary Kusini is the only permanent camp in the region, situated directly on the path of the beginning of the great wildebeest migration. The remote location of the camp is renowned for uninterrupted game viewing that includes the Big Five as well as the ‘Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth’. Luxuriously furnished tents with elevated verandas overlook the wildlife-rich plains, offering front row seats to the action below.
Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp
Between November and January, and again between April and June, the area surrounding the intimate Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp is crossed by the great wildebeest migration, providing guests with exciting wildlife theatrics. The camp is situated in a concealed part of the pristine Seronera Valley, a transition zone known for its lush grasslands in the south and woodlands in the north, as well as its abundance of rivers, making for excellent game viewing all year round.
Elewana Pioneer Camp
Elewana Pioneer represents an era of safari elegance, paying homage to the mobile camps of the 1920’s – when adventure into the unknown epitomised the experience. Ideally located in the southern Serengeti, within the Moru Kopjes area, the camp offers remarkable access to the great wildebeest migration with panoramic views overlooking the Kopjes, Lake Magadi, and the seemingly endless grassy plains of the Serengeti, abundant in wildlife all year round.
Great Wildebeest Migration Trips
Great Wildebeest Migration Safari Inspiration
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