Wildebeest Calving Season in the Serengeti – Calving Season is an exciting season/ stage of the Great Wildebeest Migration to watch and one catch sight of it at the Ndutu Area in Serengeti National Park. This striking phenomenon happens in February each year where thousands of wildebeest are born each day.
What is Calving Season?
Each year the Serengeti hosts hundreds of thousands of animals during the migration, in June and July wildebeests make their way across the Grumeti River moving northwest in the park. This sight is on top of the bucket lists of many travelers on an African Safari.
By December, the herds have started to make their way back down south to the southern Serengeti. There, they feed on the short green grasses of the plains. By late January and early February, the greatest spectacle of the Serengeti takes place with the wildebeest calving season. Approximately 8,000 young wildebeest are born every single day during the peak of the Serengeti calving season, truly there is nothing that compares to seeing a baby wildebeest take off running just minutes after being born.
The wildebeest aren’t alone in their migration, they are accompanied by scores of zebras and gazelles who perform the valuable function of eating the longer grasses that are less appetizing to the juvenile wildebeest. Once the zebra and gazelles have grazed the soft, nutritious shoots lie experience, these are perfect for young wildebeest calves to nibble on with ease.
What makes the South so Special?
It is not an accident that the herds head south to feast and give birth, it turns out the southern Serengeti’s sweet grasses are not just tasty, but perfect to nourish young wildebeest as they munch on this in their first few weeks.
What makes the grass here so nutritious? The explosive truth goes back thousand of year to when the area around Ngorongoro was highly volcanic. The ash spewed out by these erupting volcanoes was blown over the plains near Ndutu and settled here, to fertilise and nourish the soil making the grasses that grow here simply irresistible to mother wildebeest and their babies.
It is here, on these vast plains near Ndutu that something really remarkable happens. Over half a million wildebeest are born within a two – to three-week period. As many as 8,000 wildebeest calves can be born in one day, this of course makes for some adorable and tender moments but don’t be fooled into thinking there is no drama here.
While wildebeest calves are champions at getting up and running with the herds within minutes of being born, this doesn’t ensure that opportunistic predators aren’t looking far away to feast on the vulnerable and the weak.
The Predators of the Serengeti
Along with the overwhelming numbers of calves born come the predators. During the calving season, the southern Serengeti and Western Ngorongoro Conservation Area host the highest concentration of predators in Africa. The presence of the calves attracts lions, hyenas and cheetahs in large numbers to patrol the grasses. They are waiting for the perfect time to make a kill, but an easy kill isn’t always guaranteed. Female wildebeest instinctively know to head to the short grass plains so that they can see approaching predators, there they form a barricade around birthing mothers to protect them and the young when they are the most vulnerable – during birth. This ensures survival of the young.
Visiting the Serengeti during calving season promise an exciting adventure full of wonder and plenty of action, the hunting of young wildebeests by large cats is part of nature. During the few weeks of calving, you are sure to see some magnificent kills especially from the agile cheetahs.
Where to Stay to Witness Calving Season
There are several accommodations in the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu areas that allow you to stay close to the action, mobile migration camps follow the herds throughout the year and position themselves close to the wildebeest during calving season. With tents made out of wood and canvas, they offer a true “Out of Africa” authentic luxury Tanzania Safari experience with the promise to see exceptional game and predator activity. These include
Mobile – Tented Camps
If you are interested in mobile tented camps while on a wildebeest calving season, recommended mobile tented camps include Olakira Camp located in the Ndutu region of the southern Serengeti, Ubuntu camp positioned close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Kimondo Camp set deep in the Southern Serengeti with views of a permanent waterhole. Each camp offers eight guest tents with en-suite bathrooms and a common area for meals and relaxing between game drives. From your private verandah or terrace, you will enjoy your morning cup of tea or coffee while keep your eyes open for game.
Lodges
If you are looking for a permanent lodge in the area, Mwiba Lodge is one of our favorite properties in the southern Serengeti. It is located in the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve in the greater southern Serengeti overlooking a rocky gorge on the Arugusinyai River. Lush botanicals, ancient coral and acacia trees and 33 freshwater springs surround the lodge. Eight double suites are elegantly decorated with linen sofas, ornate wood carved furniture and neutral tones of creams, tans, charcoals and black.
Rooms are open with retreat-like bathrooms with large soaking tubs, outdoor showers and copper fixtures. A large deck looks out over the stunning landscape, from Mwiba Lodge, you can head into the heart of the calving area to see the incredible phenomenon up close. Beyond game drives, Mwiba offers a wide range of activities including bush walks on the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, cultural village tours and rock art tours.
Wherever you choose to stay, you can be sure that game viewing during the calving season is one of the best times to be in Africa.
Calving Season with Explore Eco Safaris
Explore Eco Safaris safari designers are at their best when creating a journey unique to you and befitting of your interests. For more information about traveling to The Serengeti during calving season, contact your Travel Consultant.
