A season of abundance in the Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the most renowned wildlife destinations on the planet. This vast ecosystem is home to an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, and one of Africa’s greatest spectacles: The Great Migration. As we approach the second half of the year, we look forward to one of the Serengeti’s most remarkable events: the calving season.

This period, which typically occurs from late January to early March, is a time of renewal and survival, a remarkable showcase of the life cycle of the Serengeti’s inhabitants.

The Serengeti is a land of ever-changing beauty, where each season brings a new chapter in one of nature’s greatest spectacles — The Great Migration.

From December to March, the southern plains bloom with life as over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gather to give birth. It’s calving season — a time of abundance, dramatic predator action, and tender new beginnings.

As the rains shift, so do the herds. By April to June, they begin their journey northwest, crossing woodlands and rivers in search of fresh grazing. This season paints the Serengeti with movement and momentum.

Then comes July to October, the most dramatic stage — the famous Mara River crossings in the north. It’s a heart-pounding spectacle as animals plunge into crocodile-filled waters, driven by instinct and survival.

By November, the herds begin to loop south again, completing the cycle that defines the Serengeti’s soul — a rhythm of life, death, and renewal that repeats year after year.

The Great Migration is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles on the planet. This annual event involves over two million animals, including approximately 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 Grant’s gazelles, and 800,000 zebras, moving as one. Interestingly, the wildebeest is the keystone species in the Serengeti, a role typically held by predators in most ecosystems.

The sheer scale of the wildebeest herds creates a dynamic balance within the Serengeti ecosystem. Their movements influence everything from the health of grasslands to predator behaviour. For instance, zebras graze on taller, tougher grasses, which facilitates the wildebeest’s access to shorter, more nutritious grasses. This grazing pattern also moderates the intensity of annual fires, preserving vital seeds and trees, and promoting vegetation regrowth.