The River Crossing

Available for over a year

The annual migration of millions of wildebeest across the plains of Africa is one of Nature's most spectacular events, with rain and the search for food driving this migration. Every year, wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate clockwise around the Serengeti/Masai Mara ecosystem. In January the herds can be found in Tanzania's Serengeti heading south into southern Serengeti where they calve. By July the herds have reached western Serengeti and the Grumeti and Mara rivers. The river crossings are their biggest challenge. Nile crocodiles, which can be as much as 5 metres in length, lie in wait, ready to seize their chance. What ensues is a scene of carnage. Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson follows the wildebeest on their treacherous annual quest. Producer: Sarah Blunt. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2016.