Epic wildlife Migrations in Africa.
The African continent is credited for its wonderful wildlife and natural wonders that attract many nature enthusiasts from all over the world. Whereas the great wildebeest migration is regarded as the most spectacular wildlife event, there are several other attractive migrations in Africa in different seasons of the year.
The great wildebeest migration
The Great wildebeest migration is regarded as the greatest overland migration in the world. The event is so great as int involves over 2 million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other animals moving in a cycle of more than 800 km over Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve looking for good grazing pastures.
From the south of the Serengeti, the herds move up clockwise through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, and the Grumeti Reserve. After a short time in Tanzania, they go to the Maasai Mara in Kenya, which is next to Serengeti National Park to the north. They spend some time there before going back south to start their trip all over again. There is a lot more movement in the Serengeti than in the Maasai Mara because it is so much bigger.
The most dramatic stage of the wildebeest migration occurs between late July and October when the herds cross Mara River into Masai Mara National Reserve, and so the most appropriate time to enjoy this scenic movement is the month of August.
The zebra migrations in the salt pans of Botswana.
The zebra migration in Botswana is one of Africa’s best secrets. Because of their unending search for water and fresh grazing grounds, hundreds of Burchell’s zebras travel across the Chobe River, between the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi salt pans as well as the Savuti and Linyanti districts, every year in perfect rhythm with the start of the wet season. Witnessing the zebra migration is a breathtaking experience. The best time to experience the migration is between November to March.
The bat migration in Zambia – Kasanka National Park
Zambia’s bat migration in Kasanka National Park is one of the world’s most underappreciated nature spectacles and the greatest flying mammal migration on the planet.
Yearly, more than 10 million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) travel to Kasanka National Park from various regions of Africa between late October and early December. Unlike other well-known migrations, including the Serengeti’s wildebeest migration, the bat migration event is more breathtaking as it takes place exclusively in the sky.
Unlike the insect-eating bats, the straw -colored bats mainly feed on fruits and are at times referred to as the gardeners of Africa because they drop seeds on different places which leads to vegetation regeneration in different regions. The colored fur of these bats helps them to merge into the forest vegetation to protect them from predators.
For travellers, this event is more of an adventure as you can have the best photography in the tress where dense colonies cluster in over 5000 bats per tree. The best experience can be achieved at sunrise or sunset.
The flamingo flocks’ migrations in Kenya and Tanzania.
Kenya’s lakes are popularly known for harboring several bird species which are usually spotted during boat trips, birding safaris, or game drives. Flamingos in Kenya and Tanzania have vibrant pink feathers, which they elegantly wade through the shallow waters and make the water appear pink. These two countries have both the lesser and greater flamingos. These birds are extremely migratory, and their movements depend on the rain fall patterns. The best migration views can be experienced on lake Nakuru. Lake Bogoria and Lake Elementaita in Kenya, while in Tanzania, the best spot is Lake Natron. These lakes are alkaline or saline, and it’s the salinity that leads to the concentration of algae on which they feed.
Lake Natron in Tanzania has a concentration of almost 75% of the world’s flamingo population because of its alkalinity levels with a PH above 12, and the surrounding temperatures rise to 60 degrees, thus becoming a good breeding ground.
The Antelope migration in South Sudan
After a comprehensive aerial wildlife survey, it was discovered that the antelope migration in South Sudan is the world’s largest land mammal migration. It is also referred to as “The Great Nile Migration”. This spectacular phenomenon records about six million antelope species making their way across the Boma–Badingilo Jongei landscape to Ethiopia. This number almost doubles the animals in the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. Some of the antelope species that can be spotted in the great Nile migration include the white- eared kob, tiang (Topi), mongalla gazelles, and bohor reedbuck. Though South Sudan is somewhat unstable, the park area is well protected, and visitors are provided with enough security. The best time to witness this migration April to June.
Elephant gatherings in Tarangire.
Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is known for harboring large herds of elephants. Elephants are not the only wildlife creatures, but they are most recognised and play a disparaging role in the park’s ecosystem. The elephants are usually spotted at the banks of Tarangire River, especially in the dry season, always in herds of 300 individuals.
Another spot for the elephant herds is the Sisale swamp, which is found in the southern part of the park.
These elephants are gentle but so sensitive that they always go for mud baths and dust to protect from direct sun and insects. They communicate through low-frequency rumbles to stay in touch with distant groups.
The best time to witness the Tarangire seasonal migration is between July and October. During this time, there will be an incredible density of animals in Tarangire because of migration from far beyond the park’s boundaries. During these dry season months, one can witness vast herds of buffalo and elephant, a diverse range of plains animals, and most predators.
The Sardine run on the South African coast.
Sardines are marine animals found in massive water bodies such as oceans and seas. The sardine migration (run) is a natural spectacle that takes place in May to July. Millions of sardines swim from the east coast of South Africa, Cape Agulhas, to the shores of Durban in Kwazulu- Natal province. The sardine run attracts predators like the common dolphins, cape gannets, seals, sharks, and whales.
Whether you are diving, snorkelling, on a boat trip, a photographer or admiring nature, you will witness a once in a life- time opportunity with the natural wonders of the sea.
Whale watching in Hermanus – South Africa.
At the South African coast, visit Hermanus, a premier whale watching destination. The migrating southern right whales, whose powerful tails somehow manage to propel their massive bodies out of the surf, captivate watchers as they approach the coast to spawn in these deep seas.
From June to December, whales come to Hermanus shores from Antarctica for mating and giving birth. Off the coast, humpbacks swim northeast towards their breeding grounds off Mozambique and Madagascar. You can get close to them on a boat trip.
At this place you watch different types of whales including the Southern right whales, Humpback whales, and Brydes whales. In addition to the whales are other marine species like the common dolphins, Cape fur seals, African penguins and Marine birds.
The Humpback whale in Kenya and Tanzania.
Though Kenya and Tanzania are best known for their abundant wildlife, some tourists have started engaging in watching marine creatures such as dolphins and humpback whales.
Humpback whales are marine mammal giants found in the ocean. These mammals travel annually from the Antarctic to Kenya to breed in the safe, tropical warm waters. This usually happens in July and August. This period coincides with the great wildebeest migration thus Kenya experiences two migrations at the same time.
Whales in Kenya can be witnessed by visitors in Malindi- Watamu Marine Reserve, where they have been studied together with dolphins and introduced to human presence. Visitors can spend some time watching them leaping and playing. More whales can be seen in Lamu, Diani, Shimoni and Kifili.
In Tanzania, the humpback whales can be spotted in Zanzibar, Mafia, and Chumbe Island. The best time to spot the whales in Tanzania waters is from late July to September, as they can be spotted by seeing them jump out of the water.
The Carmine Bee-eater migration in Namibia
The migration of the carmine bee-eater birds is a spectacular journey across the African sky. At the end of August, carmine bee-eaters set off on their journey across the continent from Central Africa to Zambia due to rise in temperatures. During this time, the water levels drop along the riverbanks in Zambia and thus rendering it the best time for the carmine bee-eaters to set out on their annual journey to South Luangwa and lower Zambezi.
The riverbanks have diverse landscapes and savannahs that have plenty of insects like bees, ants, and dragonflies, which serve as the best diet for these birds. Since their diet is mainly insects, this helps to reduce pest populations in the area.
In Zambia, these birds make temporary nests at the riverbanks and establish new homes for breeding. The period from September to November suits a birding safari to South Luangwa and the lower Zambezi.
Buffalo migrations in Zambia
Zambia is popularly known for having a significant population of buffalo in Africa. There are approximately 40,000 to 50,000 buffalo in the country. The buffalo migration in Liuwa Plain National Park is regarded as the second greatest wildlife migration after the Serengeti wildebeest migration.
In the rainy season, the ground trembles in the golden fields of South Luangwa and Kafue National Park as thousands of Cape buffalo move together, making thick, rolling groups that go on for miles. Bufallos move with a sense of tension because of their immensity and unpredictable nature that renders them captivating. Seeing a huge herd move forward, with their eyes set on the ground and oxpeckers riding on their backs, is worth seeing the wild side of Africa. The buffalo migration can be witnessed in the dry months of June to October.
The best time to witness the African annual migrations.
- January–March: Wildebeest calving – Serengeti, Tanzania
- zebra migration – Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi, Botswana
- April–June: Flamingo lights – Lake Boloria and Lake Nakuru, Kenya
- Sardine Run starts – Gqeberha and East London, South Africa
- June -October: Flamingo flights on Lake Natron
- July–August: Mara River crossings – Serengeti and Masai Mara (the great migration
- The Sardine Run – Peak season in KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa
- August–October: Southern right whale migration – Hermanus and Cape Whale Route, South Africa
- Carmine bee-eater arrival and breeding – Zambezi River, Namibia
- October–December: Kasanka Bat Migration – Kasanka National Park, Zambia
- Zebra migrations resume – Botswana salt pans and river areas