What and when is the wildebeest calving season?

The wildebeest calving season takes place between January and March in Tanzania each year when thousands of babies are born!!! The season is part of the Great Migration cycle.

Following the November rains, the Southern Serengeti turns green. The wildebeest graze on the grasses fueling up on energy ready for the calving season! The grasses not only offer nutrients perfect wildebeest carrying calves, but also the newborn calves as well!

The season is short, but absolutely epic, as usually around February around 8000 babies are being born every day!! Zebras and gazelle also arrive and join the calving season due to the safety in numbers!

As with everything in nature, the exact timings are unpredictable and it's important to remember that even with the best planning there is no guarantee that you will be there at the right time. We visited during the first week of February and we didn't see any babies being born, however, we did see hundreds of baby zebra everywhere!

With the newborns also comes the arrival of the big cats and other predators! Leopards, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals will arrive in the area, so your chances of seeing predator-prey action is much higher during this season! It makes for epic wildlife viewings but definitely provokes mixed emotions for sure.

By the end of March, the Southern Serengeti grasses have been stripped, forcing the Great Migration herds to begin moving again, but this time, with thousands of new babies ready to make the journey. The Great Migration herd numbers are very large at this point!

Why this is a fantastic season to visit!

• There is a break in the rains during January & February.

• It's shoulder season, so the prices are cheaper than the summer months.

• There are fewer crowds than in the summer!

• Did we mention... hundreds of baby animals!

• Your chances of encountering big cats increase!

• The Southern Serengeti region is a more accessible region to reach than the Northern region!

• Safari companies offer 'wildebeest calving season' packages, so you can make this the main focus of your trip if you would like to.

• You can stay in the heart of the Southern Serengeti for an immersive wildlife experience.

• It's the perfect alternative if you want to witness the Great Migration herds in some capacity but with cheaper prices and fewer crowds.

• The scenery is also beautiful at this time of year as the landscapes are green due to the rainy season.