Animals of the Serengeti Migration in Tanzania

The Serengeti Migration

The Serengeti plains host the planet's most expansive and untouched animal migration, the Great Wildebeest Migration. Over a million wildebeest move alongside hundreds of thousands of other ungulates through a 1,000 km circular journey across the borders of the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. 

This extraordinary Serengeti migration unfolds against the backdrop of a unique and breathtaking landscape known as the 'endless plains'—a vast 25,000 km² expanse of flat, short grasslands punctuated by rocky outcrops (kopjes), flowing rivers, and woodlands.

But there is more to the Serengeti migration than just wildebeest and zebra! This vast Serengeti landscape hosts a stunning variety of animals and some of the most diverse predator-prey interactions found anywhere in the world. Visiting the Serengeti is a thrilling experience, unrivalled in diversity and abundance.

Serengeti animals

Serengeti Wildlife

The animals of the Serengeti are dominated by wildebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, buffalo, and topi. However, there are so many larger Serengeti animals, including over 18000 hartebeests, 15000 warthogs, more than 7000 elands, 4000 giraffes, 3000 waterbucks, more than 2700 elephants, 500 hippos, and a surprising 200 black rhinoceroses.

The smaller Serengeti animals include the cuddly-looking bat-eared fox, side-striped jackal, pangolins, aardwolfs, dik-diks, genets, mongooses, hyraxes, red-headed agamas and more.

Read on to learn about the most popular animals in the Serengeti, as well as which Serengeti predators you can expect and where to see them.

The Animals of the Serengeti

Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

Wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus

At the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem are over 1 million wildebeest. The blue wildebeest favours the nutrient-rich grasses that sprout following the rainy season on the Serengeti plains. It is their constant search for grazing that drives the mega herds in the yearly migration around the Serengeti.

Known as the “clowns of the savannah”, wildebeest or gnus, weigh 260 – 290 kg, and look like they have been cobbled together from leftover parts.

Gnu calves can walk within minutes of birth and can keep pace with the herds after just 3 days. These comical creatures make up 60% of the Serengeti migration animals and are the undisputed stars of the show.

Thomson's Gazelle in the Serengeti

Thomson’s gazelles, Eudorcas thomsonii

There are approximately 900,000 Thompson’s Gazelles in the Serengeti. Named after 19th-century geologist Joseph Thomson, “Tommies” are capable of speeds of up to 94 km/h, making them more than a match for their top predator, the cheetah. Despite their speed and agility, in some areas of the Serengeti, Thomson’s Gazelles make up almost 90% of the cheetah’s diet.

A small gazelle, adult Tommies stand only 1 meter at the shoulder, and calves, whose early life survival strategy is to remain stock-still and hidden, are exceptionally vulnerable to predation by eagles, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, wild dogs and more. It is thought that most Thomson’s Gazelles are resident throughout the park while some join the migratory herds.

These beautiful gazelles are intrinsic to the Serengeti animal experience.

Serengeti Zebra Herds

Zebra, Equus quagga

After the wildebeest, the Plains zebras are the most populous Serengeti migration animals.

Plains zebras are 1.1 to 1.5 meters / 3.6 to 4.8 feet at the shoulder and can weigh up to 350 kg / 770 lbs. It is thought that around 300,000 zebras live in the Serengeti, and a large number of these take part in the Serengeti Migration.

Plains zebras live in harems led by a single male but coalesce into super groups during the migration. They are great communicators and in addition to barking, snorting, huffing, and braying, Plains zebras also use their eyes, ears, and hooves. Male zebras have specially adapted canines and can deliver a nasty bite.

Zebra predators include lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, but facing the hooves and teeth of a zebra stallion, predators often turn to easier quarry.

Serengeti Buffalo Herds

Buffalo, Syncerus caffer

The Cape Buffalo is one of Africa's famous Big 5 hunting trophies. Known amongst the Serengeti animals for their bad temper, buffalo can weigh between 300 and 835 kg / 660 to 1840 lbs. This is one of Africa’s most dangerous animals.

In the Serengeti during the rainy season, buffalo herds can be 1000 members strong. While lions occasionally prey on calves, retribution from the angry buffalo herd is brutal. Herds are made up of predominantly females and their calves, while males congregate in bachelor groups.

Buffalo need to drink every day and so never stray too far from water. There are over 70,000 buffaloes in the Serengeti.

Serengeti safari topis

Topis, Damaliscus lunatus jimela

The Topi of the Serengeti is a medium-sized antelope that is known for its extroverted intra-species antics.

Amongst the Serengeti animals, Topis have one of the most striking appearances with reddish-brown to purplish coats, distinct black markings on their face and legs, and stockings of yellow-tan. While being picky eaters that eat only the choicest, freshest grasses, their social structure is flexible and they have been known to socialise with zebras, wildebeests, and even ostriches.

Male Topis intentionally issue fake alarm calls, otherwise used to warn the herd of dangers like lions, to prevent females from straying to mate with other males. Female Topis can put off giving birth if they are in danger.

In the Serengeti, there are approximately 27,000 Topis, but while they do migrate in mass in South Sudan, it is unclear to what extent they migrate with the other Serengeti animals.

Tazania safari lions

The Serengeti Predators

With so many animals in the Serengeti, it is no surprise that the Serengeti boasts some of the best predator action anywhere in Africa. The Serengeti has lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, caracals, servals, and foxes. Below is a list of the top Serengeti’s predators.

Serengeti Tree Climbing Lions

The Serengeti Lions, Pantera leo

The Serengeti is famous for having the highest density of lions in Africa.

The African lion is the most social of the big cats. There are around 4000 lions in the Serengeti, and prides here often attain super-pride status of more than 15 – 20 individuals and have been known to number up to 40. Lions have an astonishing communication range. Synonymous with the African night, the lion's roar can be heard up to 8 km across the East African plains, announcing to all that they are king of the Serengeti animals. Other lion noises include grunts, moans, growls, snarls, meows, purrs, hums, puffs, and woofs.

The lions in the Serengeti do not migrate. Exploiting the Serengeti migration animals, lions are plentiful. The best places to see Serengeti lions are in the Ndutu area in the south during calving season and in the central Seronera Plains.

Serengeti Leopards

Leopards, Pantera pardus

There are around 1000 leopards in the Serengeti. A member of Africa’s Big 5, leopards are the smallest of the big cats with shorter legs, a long body, and a large skull.

Unlike lions, leopards are solitary cats and only come together to mate. Serengeti leopards are ambush predators that will eat just about anything from mice and snakes to bigger game like impala. After making a kill, they often drag prey into trees to keep it safe from other predators like lions, and scavengers like hyenas and wild dogs.

In the Serengeti, the best places to see leopards are the central Seronera region and the Lobo Valley in the north, where leopards too take advantage of the Serengeti migration herds.

Serengeti Cheetah

Cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus

With its long legs and slender body, the cheetah is unique amongst the big cats. The Serengeti is one of the last cheetah strongholds in Africa with a population of about 225 individuals.

The fastest of the Serengeti animals, indeed, the fastest animal on earth, the cheetah can go from 0 to 60 mph / 98 kmph, in only 3 seconds. Their unusually long tail acts as a rudder when cornering at high speed. The black tear marks on their faces reduce glare while scanning for prey, and their claws are blunt and semi-retractable, functioning as traction spikes when hunting.

Unlike most other big cats, cheetah rarely scavenges and need only drink once every 3 to 4 days. The social structure amongst cheetahs is unique as females are solitary and males form small coalitions. Cheetahs are not territorial with home ranges of 200 – 3000 km².

In the Serengeti, cheetahs eat medium-sized antelope like impala and Thomson’s gazelles, as well as birds and hares. The best place to see cheetah is in southern Serengeti where population density is highest with 2,5 individuals per 100 km ².

Serengeti Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta

Powerful, versatile, and intelligent, spotted hyenas are one of the highlights of a Serengeti safari.

Weighing 40 – 80kg, the spotted hyena is the largest of the four hyena species. Despite their reputation as scavengers, spotted hyenas are tireless hunters able to run down zebra, and, Africa’s most efficient carnivore that devours every scrap of available food from meat to bone.

Hyena clans are run by females. While clans may number as many as 50, individuals disperse widely to forage. The Serengeti has a population of over 3500 individual spotted hyenas.

Alongside the lion's roar, the hyena’s nighttime whoop is the most distinctive of the Serengeti animal sounds and the essence of an African safari night.

Wild Dog or African Painted Wolf

African Wild Dogs, Lycaon pictus

The Serengeti is one of the few places in Africa where wild dog populations are on the rise.

African wild dogs, or painted wolves, live in packs between 2 and 40 strong. They are incredibly social animals with a submissive hierarchy dominated by the eldest female and the eldest male. They are known to share food, take care of injured members, and communicate by touch and through vocalisations.

When hunting, painted wolves hunt as a cooperative unit and can run down prey over 6 km. They are Africa’s most efficient predators and seldom go a day without food. Home ranges can vary from 300-3000 km².

Birds of the Serengeti

The diversity of Serengeti animals is surpassed by its avian residents. The Serengeti is home to over 500 bird species. Some of these live permanently in the park, while others migrate to the Serengeti during the wet season.

There are 5 endemic Serengeti birds, the grey-throated spurfowl, Schalow's wheatear, red-throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike, and Schalow's turaco. It is also home to the striking lilac-breasted roller, and the largest of the hornbill species, the southern ground hornbill with its comical gait and striking red and black markings.

The Serengeti boasts the highest wild ostrich population in Africa.

Southern Ground Hornbill in the Serengeti

Why does the Great Migration happen in the Serengeti?

The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the largest intact migration routes in the world.

Factors that contribute to the Serengeti migration include rainfall, temperature, topography and geology, soils and drainage systems in Serengeti National Park. The combination of volcanic soils with the ecological impact of the migration results in one of the most productive ecosystems on earth.

This ecosystem is capable of sustaining the animals of the Serengeti which happens to be the largest number of ungulates and the highest concentration of large predators in the world.

Mara River Criossing, Serengeti Migration

When and where to see the Serengeti Migration?

The Serengeti migration is a year-long movement of animals in pursuit of grazing.

The Serengeti migration route is predictable in a general sense, but it is best to use an experienced company to get you in the right areas at the right times to ensure that you see as many of the Serengeti animals as possible. While the Great Migration is a year-round event, there are a few flash points that have become synonymous with the Serengeti migration.

Almost 2 million Serengeti animals move in a year-long circular motion around the Serengeti ecosystem. It is a spectacle that is difficult to comprehend unless you see it with your own eyes. The grasslands of the Serengeti migration route are made up of a few different protected areas spread across Tanzania and Kenya.

Great Migration Protected Areas
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, 14,763 km² / 5,700 mi² Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, 8,292 km2 / 3,202 mi² Loliondo Game Controlled Area, Tanzania, 6200 km² / 2394 mi² Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania, 410 km² / 158 mi² Ikorongo Game Reserve, Tanzania, 600 km² / 232 mi² Maasai Mara National reserve, Kenya, 1510 km² / 580 mi²

Serengeti Eland

From January, wildebeest begin to mass in the southern Serengeti on the Ndutu Plains which straddles the border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. At this time wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelles calve, and the spectacle is a riot of new life. There is an urgency at this time as calves must walk within minutes to survive, and predators wait in the wings to pick up an easy meal. At the height of the calving season, around 8000 wildebeest are born daily.

June is the rutting season for the wildebeest in the Serengeti. During this time, testosterone is high and noisy males compete for the attention of females. The “clowns of the savannah” are at their comical best and it is a delight to watch their antics unfold across the savannah. The western corridor and the Seronera region are popular safari destinations.

Lastly, late July to early September is the peak season for seeing the famous Grumeti and Mara River crossings. This is possibly the most famous of all African wildlife events. The wildebeest must wade on mass through the crocodile-infested waters mixing sweat, spit, and blood. The Grumeti River is in the Serengeti’s western corridor, while the hugely popular Mara River crossing can be seen in the northern Serengeti or in Kenya’s Masai Mara.   

Hot air ballooning over the serengeti at dawn

Start Planning Your Trip

Visiting the Serengeti is a phenomenal safari experience. With such an abundance of wildlife, you can visit the Serengeti animals year-round, but, if you want to get to the tourist hotspots, like the Mara River crossing, or the calving season in the Ndutu Plains, you should consider booking 6 to 12 months in advance.

For example, January and February months are good times to be looking to visit the Serengeti migration from July to September.

Contact one of our Serengeti safari experts today and see what African Budget Safaris can do for you.