The Anti-Migration: Unveiling wildlife dynamics after the herds move on

When the herds move on, the Serengeti’s landscape transforms. The areas once teeming with grazers become quieter, and grasses previously nibbled down to the roots begin to recover.

The departure of the wildebeest allows the land to regenerate, restoring nutrient cycles and giving vegetation a chance to flourish. Water sources that were once crowded with migratory animals now attract a different clientele, as animals that had retreated to the edges cautiously return to drink and graze.

“The area where one of the Wilderness Usawa camps is set up is outstanding for wildlife in the non-migration season. The camp is on the Nyambogati River system, and this will be the only water source in a very large part of the park. Loads of animals move into this area from June to November”, explains Jean Du Plessis, Wilderness Tanzania Managing Director.

For the Serengeti’s apex predators – lions, cheetahs, and hyenas – this period demands a new strategy. The abundance of easy prey has vanished, forcing these hunters to adapt. It’s a game of patience, endurance, and ingenuity as the entire ecosystem adjusts to the changing conditions.

Lions, accustomed to abundant, clumsy wildebeest, must now work harder for meals, often switching to smaller or more elusive prey.

Territories of resident lion prides become more fiercely contested, and hunger challenges even the strongest. Prides must adjust, with some splitting into smaller groups to improve their chances of finding food. Lionesses with cubs are hit hardest, as they struggle to provide for their young while keeping them safe from rival predators.

Leopards, known for their adaptability, come into their own. As solitary hunters, they excel at taking down smaller game like impalas, baboons, or hares, effortlessly disguised in the denser bush that flourishes in the wake of the herds.

Cheetahs, too, feel the pressure. Built more for speed than strength, they must rely on precision and endurance, often going days without a successful hunt. Yet, with fewer wildebeest to distract larger predators, cheetahs have more freedom to hunt their preferred prey, such as gazelles, albeit with a higher risk of confrontation.

Hyenas, often stereotyped as scavengers, showcase their remarkable versatility. They diversify their diet, hunting alone or in smaller groups, focusing on whatever prey is available, from rodents to young antelope. They become resourceful opportunists, capable of outwitting or intimidating other predators for a meal.

While the migratory herds attract the lion's share of attention, resident herbivores play a vital role in maintaining the Serengeti's balance. With the wildebeest gone, giraffes nibble at acacia leaves, and buffaloes roam in herds, clearing vegetation and opening up new areas for growth. These animals are year-round custodians of the Serengeti, promoting biodiversity by varying their feeding habits.

“As the rain dries up in the south, the herds focus on thundershowers over Lake Victoria. This draws the herds into the west of the Serengeti. June and July can be outstanding in the west, also known as Grumeti or Kirawira”, explains Jean.

“The Western Corridor, or the Grumeti area, is characterised by open plains surrounded by woodlands and two sizable rivers running through the area. This region sees a significant number of migrating animals, as well as a robust resident population”.

Zebras and Thomson’s gazelles, which have slightly different migration patterns, often remain in smaller numbers, continuing to graze on recovering grasslands. Their presence helps maintain the grasslands, preventing overgrowth and providing a food source for the ecosystem’s omnipresent predators.

The presence of these resident herbivores ensures the ecosystem does not stagnate. Instead, a different type of rhythm emerges, where animals adapt to a more stable, less frantic pace.

Birds of the Serengeti also experience shifts as the herds leave. Raptors like vultures and eagles, which rely heavily on the carcasses left behind during the migration, must cover more ground to find food. Their once booming gatherings at a feast become smaller, more strategic affairs.

Wetland areas, which play host to a different set of life, become more active. Here, the absence of large grazers allows certain migratory and resident bird species to thrive. Flamingos gather in colourful flocks, feeding in shallow waters now less disturbed. Birdwatchers are treated to spectacles that often go unnoticed during the chaos of the migration, such as elaborate courtship dances and the synchronised movements of flocks.

For safari-goers, the Anti-Migration period offers a different kind of magic. Gone is the frenzy of the migration, replaced by a more intimate, contemplative experience.

“The entire Northern Serengeti is also a fantastic place in the non-migration times”, says Jean.

“The herds move out, but a whole new set of animals moves into the area. It's a great place to enjoy total exclusivity when all the other tourists are gone”.

The landscape, too, takes on a quieter beauty. Without the constant dust kicked up by migrating hooves, the horizon stretches peacefully, revealing a Serengeti draped in fresh greens and golden savannahs. This serenity brings a chance to connect with the environment on a deeper level, to hear the songs of birds undisturbed, and to feel the pulse of an ecosystem constantly in flux.

As the Serengeti transitions into the quieter months, the nights come alive with activity. Porcupines emerge to forage, while honey badgers prowl the landscape in search of things to eat, from scorpions to snakes, to insects and roots.