For thousands of years, the grasslands of East Africa have been home to the greatest show on earth, a spectacle like no other in the world. Each year thousands of wildebeest and zebras make their way across Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains, in search of water and greener pastures. Each year, during the months of January through March when about half a million wildebeest calves are born in the Ndutu area between southern Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro highlands.

From here, sometime in late March, the wildebeest accompanied by their newly born begin to move north towards the Masai Mara plains in Kenya. From southern Serengeti, the herds travel to the central and western Serengeti corridor across the Grumeti River and head towards the Mara River into Kenya. The river crossings are the highlight for thousands of visitors who flock to photograph the herds. The crossings are dangerous and treacherous, with giant crocodiles waiting to feed on the unlucky and fragile ones – many wildebeest and zebra never make it across the rivers. The life’s journey reaches the Mara plains by end June or early July and after feeding on the green pastures, the migration starts the return journey to the Serengeti by end of October, reaching the Ndutu area by sometime in January.

Following the short rains in November, the grass in this area has an abundance of valuable minerals to nursing mothers - and it is here in Ndutu area where the wildebeest herds spend the longest period. Here begins the cycle of life, with each birth, there is danger looming nearby from the predators.

The lives of thousands of other species, who rely on the migratory herds for their survival, are affected by the migration. This is an once-in-a-lifetime experience in a truly unique place.

The precise time and location of the herds is unpredictable as rainfall and other weather conditions are key factors that dictate the migration pattern.