Migration of wildebeest

SERENGETI  NATIONAL PARK/MASAI MARA RESERVE.  

Serengeti is the oldest of the Tanzania's National parks.  The word Serengeti comes from the Maasai word Siringet, meaning "the endless plain".  The annual wildebeest migration between Serengeti and Maasai Mara has  been declared the seventh wonder of the modern  world.  Serengeti is also a world heritage site and an International Biosphere Reserve.

Serengeti National Park is the best place to see predators in actions. The predator population is over 10,000 individuals. 8000 0f these are spotted hyenas and 3000 lions whose males famed for their black manes.  Seronera with its visitor centre is not only ideal for information but it a major wildlife hub with all the species represented. Hippos, lions, leopards, crocodiles, giraffes and primates can all be spotted within the area. Birdlife is profuse. The park has a total of 500 species recorded of birds

Area:  Serengeti is the largest park in Tanzania occupying an area of 14, 763 Km square.  The conservation area has been protected since 1929 and acquired park status in 1951.

The Annual Maasai (Masai) Mara/Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

Every year, in the months of July August and September, over 1.7 million wildebeests accompanied by about 800,000 gazelles and Zebras migrate from Serengeti into Maasai (Masai) Mara and back. The river crossings are particularly dangerous as large crocodile lie in wait of unsuspecting animals, killing and maiming thousands of them. Besides predation, migrating herds have to contend with flooded rivers and disease outbreaks. The wildebeest mate in Maasai Mara and Calve in Serengeti. 

The  annual wildebeest migration is not about wildebeests migrating per se but rather

its influence on the movement patterns of the other animals including human beings.  Picture a never ending milling of over 2.5 million wild animals composed of a about 1.7 million wildebeests, and 800,000 common gazelles and zebras with predators-lions, hyenas, leopards, jackals etc following closely.  In this picture add thousands of vultures providing air cover the to migrating animals, the goggling human traffic; the hazardous crossing of crocodile invested Mara and Grumeti rivers  and behold your magical wonder of nature.

Where are the Wildebeest? Maasai (Masai) Mara or Serengeti? The Migration Cycle:- The migration follows a clockwise direction dictated by the rain patterns in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem.  The Migration has been going on for as long as our ancestors can remember and where it started is debatable.  The best times to view migration in Serengeti is December to Jul.  While in Maasai Mara, the best time is August to November.  Between December and March, the herds congregate in Eastern Serengeti Plains where carving takes place.  Births accounts for over half a million calves annually.  April and May still in Serengeti the calves matures and gets ready for migration.  June is the month of crossing Grumeti River along the Northern Corridor towards Maasai Mara.  In July/August, the herds cross the Mara River into Maasai (Masai) Mara, where mating takes place.  By November the succulent grass in Mara is finished and the migrating herds heads for Serengeti where curving will take place and the entire cycle starts all over again.

The Richness Of Serengeti National Park

During the migration, Serengeti accommodates over 5 millions animals with the resident population of about 2.5 million.  The wildebeest population alone stands at 1.7 M during migration.   All the 'Big Five' of Africa: Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, and Leopard are represented in Serengeti National Park.  Besides the park has buffaloes, warthogs, zebras, gazelles, impala, reedbuck, oryx, topi, eland.  Predators are represented by lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetah and hunting dogs.  Recent count has revealed over 1500 elephants, 8000 spotted hyenas and 3000 lions.

Physical Features of Serengeti National Park/Reserve:

• Rivers- include-Grumeti, Mbalangeti and Simiyu.

• Plains -Seronera, Ndoha, Dutwa, musabi, Togora.

• Kopjes-the park is dotted with many kopjes including Naabi, Maasai, Barafu, Lobo, Borogonja and  Moru Kopjes.

Serengeti  Gates

Remember you must enter the reserve through the official gates: These are

• Ndabaka Gate to the west as you approach from Mwanza

• Naabi Gate to the east as you approach from Ngorongoro

• Klein' Gate to the North East which gives access to Loliondo area

• Ikoma Gate North of Seronera

Activities in Serengeti

• Game drives

• Bird/nature walks with Maasai Morans.

• Camping

• Visiting Maasai villages

• Balloon Safaris

• Cultural dances

• Maasai (Masai) Village visits.

June-October are the driest months.

February -March long rains

December to February; June-Jul best time time to visit

Accommodation In Serengeti  National Park/ Reserve:

Park  has the large number of lodges and tented camps.

Lodges

• Serengeti  Serena Lodge-Serena Hotels and Lodges

• Seronera Wildlife Lodge

• Serengeti Sopa Lodge-Sopa Elewana Lodges

• Serengeti Stopover Lodge-outside the park 2 km from Ndabaka gate.

• Lobo Wildlife Lodge

• Tanapa Rest House.

Luxury Tented Camps in Serengeti National Park/Reserve

• Serengeti Migration Camp

• Kirawira Tented Camo-Serena Hotels and Lodges

• Mbuzi Mawe Luxury Camp-Serena Hotels and Lodges

• Grumeti River Camp

• Klein's Camp

• Ikoma Bush Camp-Outside Ikoma Gate

Budget Camp sites