A unique-looking member of the antelope family, wildebeests are fascinating creatures that can only be found in the southern, northern and eastern parts of Africa.

Gregarious animals, wildebeests have high production rates and an increasing population rate, making their herds extremely large. While these animals are fascinating to witness during a regular safari, they are undoubtedly more impressive to witness during their annual trek across the Serengeti in the Great Migration.

To help you learn more about these beautiful beasts, we’ve put together a list of interesting wildebeest facts.  

Learn more about your favourite wild animals. Read our collection of animal facts. If you would like to see one of the most majestic moments, then take this Wildebeest migration tour of the Serengeti.

Interesting Wildebeest Facts

• Wildebeest are large African antelopes and belong to the Bovidae family. The word wildebeest comes from the Afrikaans language and translates to wild beast. Another name for the wildebeest is gnu (pronounced “new”).

• Wildebeest are strange-looking creatures that look like thin, muscular cows. They have large backs, curved horns, striped bodies, fluffy manes and bushy beards.

• South Africa boasts two species of wildebeest: the black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnu) and the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). The most notable differences between the blue and black wildebeest are their horns, size, colour and habitat.

• The Blue Wildebeest live in woodlands, open grasslands and desert areas and can be found in many different reserves in South Africa including the Kruger National Park, the Zululand Reserve and other game farms. The blue wildebeest is a dark grey colour with black tails and dark beards. They are grazing animals and are known for their curiosity.

• The Black Wildebeest prefer open grasslands. They can be found in the highveld towards the south of South Africa. Black wildebeests are smaller than their blue relatives and have a brownish black appearance with a distinct white tail.

• Both blue and black wildebeest are social animals and live in large herds. Blue Wildebeest often interact with other plains game such as zebras. These two wild animals eat different parts of the same grass and so there is no need to compete for food. With this, they can coexist peacefully.

• Wildebeests are herbivores and only eat vegetation. They prefer grass, but when the grass is hard to find, they will also eat leaves. Wildebeests are a food source for spotted hyenas, lions, cheetahs and African wild dogs.

• Gnu herds are always on the search for food and are active day and night. They communicate through sight and smell but are also very vocal. Blue wildebeest males can bellow loud enough that the sound travels up to 2 kilometres.

• At the beginning of each year, thousands wildebeest migrate northwards across the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Following the rain, massive herds of wildebeest and other accompanying animals such as zebras, impalas and gazelles  search for better grazing opportunities. Known as the Great Migration, this phenomenon takes place over months, where the antelope dodge hungry predators, including big cats and crocodiles.

• At the beginning of the migration period between January and March, approximately 400,000 wildebeest calves are born in the southern part of the Serengeti each year.  Astonishingly, calves can run with their mothers within minutes of being born and can reach speeds up to 40 mph.

• Wildebeest split into subgroups called mega herds to ensure there is enough food for the entire herd. The smaller sub herds follow a slightly different path, while still moving in the same direction as the entire herd.  

• Wildebeests protect themselves from predators by remaining in large, intimidating groups. Wildebeests are incredibly protective and will bunch together, stamp and even chase predators away when feeling threatened.

• Wildebeest herds possess what is known as “swarm intelligence”, meaning that the wildebeest herd systematically explore and overcome an obstacle as one.

If you would like to witness one of the most amazing wildlife phenomena on earth, follow the herds across Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara. Get in touch with us and plan your Great Migration safari trip!

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We hope that you enjoyed reading this post on wildebeest facts. What are some of your favourite wild animals? Have you read our other animal fact posts? Share your comments or questions below, we love receiving your feedback!