Gorilla trekking and The Great Migration are two of the most sought-after and most incredible wildlife experiences on earth, and taking part in them is considered one of the greatest accomplishments for wildlife enthusiasts and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
These two incredible wildlife experiences take place in East Africa region, the mind-blowing gorilla trekking is done in Rwanda and Uganda and the Great Migration takes place in Mara – Serengeti Ecosystem in Kenya and Tanzania.
In this blog, we have compiled all the information you need to know about “what is the best time for gorilla trekking and the great migration?”
Gorilla TrekkingÂ
Gorilla trekking is an unforgettable wildlife adventure, offering a rare opportunity to observe endangered primates up close within a safe distance in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas are rare and endangered primates found only in the mountainous-forested region of Central Africa, namely Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Currently, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda are the best places for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Trekking experience is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in the world, offering visitors a grand opportunity to stand a few meters away from these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The gorillas visited on this experience are habituated, and they have been trained to be friendlier to human presence. You are advised to still follow the safety guidelines while in their presence, as they are still wild creatures.
Best Time for Gorilla TrekkingÂ
The best time to visit Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. From mid-December to early February in Rwanda, the short dry season offers ideal conditions for this unforgettable adventure as the trails are firm and there is minimal malaria risk.
The dry season is the perfect time to trek mountain gorillas.
Note: The dry season, which is the best time for gorilla trekking, coincides with peak travel season in Uganda and Rwanda, so it is better to secure your gorilla permit as early as possible so that you don’t miss out. Due to the limited number of gorilla permits issued every day, they can sell out as early as a year in advance.
Great MigrationÂ
The Great Migration, also known as the wildebeest migration, is the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. This is an ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals across the Serengeti – Mara ecosystem.
The Great Migration is one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences. Over 2 million wildebeests, joined by zebras and gazelles, follow an age-old route in search of grazing and water. These animals move in search of nutritious grass and water, guided by their survival instinct. Each wildebeest will cover 800 to 1,000km on its individual journey along age-old migration routes. The Great Migration takes place in the enormous Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem, one of the oldest and most unspoilt ecosystems on earth. The ecosystem is made up of Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
The migration circuit takes the animals from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, although not into the crater itself, in the Ndutu plains, up through the Serengeti, and across into the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again.
Best Time to See The Great MigrationÂ
Since the Great Migration is an eternal annual cycle from place to play and year in and year out, there is no single time of the year to see the Great Migration. However, the best time depends on what you want to witness, such as river crossings.
The Great Migration can be summarized in four seasons: The Calving Season, Season of the Trek North, The Rut, The River Crossing Season, and the start of the Calving Season.
The Calving Season (January – March)
In this period, the herds congregate on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and westernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Over 500,000 calves are born during a two-to-three weeks in February. The abundance of calves draws a staggering number of predators eager to prey on the vulnerable newborns.
- December – January - The herds are in areas around Ndutu and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area feasting on the fresh, sweet grasses. The herds spend most of their time in these areas as they prepare for the birth of the new calves.
- February – between late January and Mid-March – over 80% of fertile female wildebeests drop their calves within a few weeks of each other. Over 500,000 tiny wildebeests dot the plains and the predators swoop in to feast on the easy prey.
- March – The wildebeests are occupying the southern area of Serengeti National Park, but preparing to move north as the plains dry out.
Season of the Trek North and The Rut (April to mid-June)
As the rains come to an end and the grounds dries, the herds start making their way north into the Central Serengeti where the grass is still fresh and they can graze and tend to their young as well. Moving slowly, they graze as they go, making the most of the fresh grass.
The mating season begins and the male wildebeests do battle fiercely for a mate. Throughout the rut, the journey continues as some herds head west into the Western Corridor and cross the Grumeti River.
- April – The wildebeests begin their long trek north, through the central area of Serengeti National Park, the herds move at a slow pace, grazing as they go along.
- May – The large columns of wildebeests covering up to several kilometers long can be seen flooding the Moru Kopjes in the Central area of Serengeti
- First weeks of June – Large concentrations of wildebeests can be seen on the southern banks of the Grumeti River in the Western Serengeti, ready to face their first challenge of crossing the crocodile infested Grumeti River.
The River Crossing Season (mid-June to November)
In mid-June, the herds head towards the north of the Serengeti. The river crossing considered the most exciting event of the Great Migration, usually starts in July, however the timing all depends on the rains. The herds can be found in the Northern Serengeti as well as in Masai Mara in Kenya. Daily river crossings can be seen at the Mara and Talek Rivers, both often center to the highly dramatic scenes.
Later, the herds usually cross back to the Serengeti from Masai Mara with another Mara River Crossing, and head towards the now fertile southern Serengeti. The herds move fast and cover long distances in a single day. By the beginning of December, the herds are in Ndutu Plains to calve, and the whole process begins again.
- July – The herds gather momentum and the herds can be seen spread out across the Western Corridor as they continue the journey North. The first herds will begin to arrive in North in early July.
- August – As the dry season approaches, the wildebeests face the second challenge of their trek: the Great Mara River. Many will lose their lives but the thousands of calves that are born more than make up the numbers.
- September – The herds are mostly concentrated in the Masai Mara in Kenya, the northernmost range of the trek, but many still remain in the Serengeti.
- October – The wildebeest face the high speed running waters of the Mara River for the second time as they cross on their journey back south
- November – The arrival of the short rains propels the wildebeests down south to the rejuvenated grasses of the Serengeti.
The start of the Calving Season. (December)
The wildebeest herds congregate on the short grass plains of the Southern Serengeti and northernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. An estimated 500,000 calves are born during a two-to three week window in February.
The Great Migration is now dispersed across the Central Serengeti from as far north a Lobo, to the Southern reaches of Ndutu. The rains catch up at last with the still-moving herds, and intense thunderstorms and localized showers are experienced across the region.
Depending on the season of the Great Migration you intend to witness, the above will guide you on the best time for the Great Migration.
