The majority of us have long been obsessed with nature and the animal kingdom, and one astounding phenomenon that continues to amaze us is the vast wildlife migrations of Africa. These seasonal land, air, and aquatic journeys undertaken by various animals are simply exceptional and the sheer numbers that take part can be mind-boggling. These migratory wild animals frequently overcome insurmountable odds to survive each year, whether it’s for breeding, food, or water.
In this post, we will look at the five most impressive animal migrations in Africa, as well as the best time to see them.
1. The Great Wildebeest Migration.
The annual Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the world’s most epic events that take place between Tanzania and Kenya. Over two million animals, including wildebeest, zebras, and antelope, migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve in search of greener pastures. This cross-country journey marks mating season, which results in the birth of half a million wildebeest calves. During the migration, a vast number of wildebeest and zebras fall prey to predators. Furthermore, the crossing of the Mara River is another incredible sight as these animals forge their way across while fighting off the crocodiles that lie in wait for them.
Best Time to Visit
The Great Wildebeest Migration continues year-round as the animals travel in a circular motion around the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. A visit from July to October would enable you to see tens of thousands of animals crossing the great Mara River. Alternatively, the calving season begins in December and lasts until the end of March. This is an incredible sight as thousands of wildebeest give birth in a phenomenon known as synchronized birthing.
2. The Great Zebra Migration.
The Great Zebra Migration is another annual migration that takes place in Africa and involves even more mammals on the move. Thousands of plain zebra travel around 1,000 kilometers each year in Botswana on this journey. They follow a relatively straight path from the floodplains of the Chobe River and its environs in the dry season to the grasslands of the Nxai Pan National Park in the wet season. The distance between the areas is approximately 250 km, which takes them 14-20 days on average, but can take up to 30 days. The animals spend about 80 days in Nxai Pan before returning to the Chobe in March. The northward journey is usually less direct and takes longer than the southward journey. The zebra arrive back sometime between April-July and stay there until December when the migration starts over again.
Best Time to Visit
Both the Nxai Pan Zebra Migration and the Makgadikgadi Zebra Migration start at the same time and cover a similar distance. This Botswana safari tour is best taken between March and October.
3. Fruit Bat Migration.
The Fruit Bats Migration is the world’s largest animal migration, with over 10 million fruit bats migrating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zambia’s evergreen swamp forest in Kasanka National Park. It is estimated that these straw-colored fruit bats travel up to 2,000 kilometers every year to this national park, one of Zambia’s smallest game reserves. The migration lasts approximately 90 days.
Best Time to Visit
The Kasanka bat migration lasts only about 90 days, from late October to mid-December. The action begins at dusk, when thousands upon thousands of bats leave their roosts to feast on tree fruits, with hawks in pursuit.
4. The Flamingos Migration.
The Flamingo Migration is yet another spectacular natural animal migration that takes place in Africa. This event is usually coupled with millions of Lesser and Greater Flamingos flying in from Tanzania to breed on the warm, shallow lakes of Bogoria and Nakuru. Seeing millions of long-legged, pink-feathered birds landing or taking off is an exceptionally beautiful sight.
Best Time to Visit
The best months to see flamingos in the Rift Valley are April to June, but there is enough wildlife in the area to make a safari worthwhile at any time of year.
5. Humpback Whale Migration.
Finally, on our list is the Humpback Whale Migration. This is one of the most incredible aquatic migrations in the world, which begins from the colder Antarctic waters into the warmer tropical seas of Madagascar where Humpback whales breed and give birth. These whales are famous for breaching and lifting their distinctive tails out of the water, only to splash them down again.
Best Time to Visit
The best months to experience the Humpback Whale Migration are July to mid-September when the population of Humpback whales is at its highest.
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