Species information
The Wildebeest's migration is essentially circular is wholly dependent on climatic changes - they follow the rain as it creates new lush grazing areas in a part of Eastern Africa called the Serengeti.
The Migration
At the beginning of the year the Wildebeest are based in the south of the Serengeti where they give birth en masse. They slowly work northwards until they get to the Masai Mara in August when the rains appear. Through autumn they migrate back down to their starting point in the south.
Time and Distance
1800 miles over the course of the whole year.
Reason for Migration
Their movements depend on the rains. They need fresh grazing sites and are constantly on the move, seeking out rain-ripened grasses to eat and water to drink.
What happened in 2008?
During October, Big Cat Live's Simon King and Jonathan Scott reported on the mass movement of Wildebeest from their camp in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Earlier in the year, Peter Bassett, a wildlife cameraman, also had the vast herds of Wildebeest in his sights.
There are four Wildebeest reports in total:
The Future of the Great Migration
Jonathan Scott on Wildebeest
Simon King on Wildebeest
Peter Bassett reports from the Serengeti
