During the short dry season, i.e. from January to March, the migration is to the South of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where pastures are green  and water sources are available.

Here, thanks to the mineral salts in the soil, the pastures are particularly nutritious and grasslands are characterized by low grass, which is the preferred one by the wildebeests.

This is the birthing period: approximately 400,000 puppies are given birth in 2-3 weeks in February; this sort of synchronised delivery  is a form of protection of the species, in fact coming to light altogether the calves are more likely to survive the onslaught of predators.

 
The wildebeest is probably one of the most precocious mammals at birth: 2 minutes after delivery, the calf can already stand up and 5 minutes after it is ready to run; but many cubs die in their first year of life for different causes: fatigue, malnutrition, lack of water, drowned during the crossing and due to predation.
 
During these months in the Southern plains and stretches of acacia trees around lake Ndutu and lake Masek, herds of wildebeests and zebras can be seen as far as the eye can see in an amazing view.

The herds remaining here for such a long period fully exploit the pastures to a point that they cannot be regenerated in time, given the voracity of the herbivorous.

In March, when the meadows begin to dry due to lack of rain and grass, the herds begin to move and gather near the lakes where they can find the water they need and the nearby pastures are still green. 

Where is possible to spot the herds of Great Migration during the short dry season 

Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek: the low grasses of the surrounding savannah are rich in mineral salts, which are excellent for the nursing of wildebeest puppies and zebra foals.
Both salty water lakes are surrounded by marshlands. This is one of the last areas the herds leave before starting the Great Migration, because this is where they can find water more easily and for longer. 
Here, besides the migrating herds, you can find resident animals, such as elephants, ostriches, jackals, giraffes, various species of gazelle, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, leopards, lions, spotted hyenas, striped hyenas, caracals, cheetahs and numerous species of birds, including migratory birds that in this time of the year migrate from the Northern hemisphere. 
 
Kusini: this remote area is characterised by gently rolling hills and mountains and it is home to elephants, buffalos, cheetahs and lions.
 
Moru Kopjes:  the abundance of water make the herds scatter in the area, where pastures are green but less nourishing than those in the South; this area is located in the Central Western side of the Serengeti and links Ndutu to the river Seronera valley; giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, leopards, rhinos, leopards and caracals reside here, and with a good dose of luck you can even spot rhinos, as it is the only place where they live. 
 
Goals Kopjes: in this remote and wild areas of the South-Eastern Serengeti you can find numerous lions and cheetahs.
 
Seronera: In this area there is the highest concentration of leopards, due to the presence of a perennial water stream and the trees flanking the Seronera river on which they use to drag their prey and eat them safely far from other predators.
 
 

The alternation of seasons in Serengeti National Park and its effects on the Great Migration

  • Short dry season from January to March
  • Heavy rain season from April to May
  • Long dry season from June to October
  • Short rain season from November to mid-December