| The Wildebeest Migration actually includes many other plains animals, in particular zebra. Predators follow the migrating animals picking out the weaker animals to feed on. The migration is driven by the passage of rains across Africa which in turn is associated with the ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone). This low pressure zone is of unstable air is caused by the sun being overhead and so it lies well to the south of East Africa in January and at the latitude of Ethiopia in August. East Africa thus receives two rainy periods and associated with this excellent grazing. Wildebeest have a remarkable ability to smell out water and are drawn to areas of water rain and associated better pastures. The relative regularity of the ITCZ movements tends to result in a regular annual pattern for the migration. The map indicates where the main herds of migrating animals may be found at any time of year. Particularly spectacular are the river crossings: at the Grumeti and Mara rivers. This migration map does not influence to any great extent animal movements in the Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara Parks which have fairly stable populations. In the Tarangire Park during dry seasons the animals concentrate around the Tarangire River. At other times they are well spead out and may move out of the park area.
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