Serengeti National Park Migration
Serengeti National Park Migration : Serengeti national park is a safari destination in the northern part of Tanzania which is home to numerous wildlife species and the national park is also known for the wildebeest migration.
The wildebeest migration is one of the largest animal migrations in the world and is among the attractions of Serengeti national park. This migration takes place annually involves movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests.
Gazelles and zebras are also part of the wildebeest migration which takes place in Serengeti national park and the Mara ecosystem. The wildebeest migration occurs in a clockwise direction every year.
Wildebeests are herbivores and can be seen during the wildebeest migration as they graze across the savannah plains of Serengeti national park. The wildebeests during the migration follow the rains and search for greener pastures to graze in.
Other facts to know about the wildebeests is that they are also referred to as gnus, they have horns. There are also two types of wildebeests and they include the blue wildebeests and the black wildebeests.
During the wildebeest migration, predators like lions, leopards among others can also be seen especially during the calving season when over 8000 wildebeests are born daily in the savannah plains in the months of December, January, and February to March.
February is when the calving season is at its best and the wildebeest calves which are born in the Serengeti plains adapt quickly and shortly after they are born can be seen thriving with the rest of the herd. Lions and other predators attack some of the unknowing wildebeests during the calving season.
Apart from the calving season another highlight of the wildebeest migration is the river crossings which take place across the Mara river and the Grumeti river.
In April and May the herds of wildebeests can be seen in the central part of Serengeti national park. Zebras and gazelles and antelopes can be seen at this time as well as numerous other wildlife species resident in the central Serengeti plains.
The wildebeests can also be seen in the month of May around the Moru kopjes which are rock outcrops in the central part of Serengeti national park. The month of May is also the mating season or the wildebeests.
The movement of the wildebeests later continues to the western part of Serengeti national park where the Grumeti river crossings take place. The Grumeti river has crocodiles and during the river crossings some of the wildebeests are attacked and eaten by the crocodiles.
Wildlife viewing is also amazing during the month of May when the tourist numbers are not as many as in the peak season when many tourists engage in Tanzania Wildlife safaris around Serengeti national park as they search for various wildlife species in the wilderness of the national park.
From June to August, the wildebeest migration can be seen in Serengeti national park. During the months of June and July, the wildebeest herds can be seen in the north western part of Serengeti national park.
In July the wildebeests continue northwards towards the Mara river where the river crossings also take place. The Mara river is found in the northern part of Serengeti national park where the herds of wildebeests can be seen around July.
From the northern part of Serengeti national park, the wildebeest herds continue to the Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya. From August to October the herds of wildebeests can be seen in Masai Mara national reserve.
After October the wildebeest herds start returning from Kenya to Serengeti national park and around December the wildebeest migration can be seen in the southern plains of Serengeti national park.
Many tourists visit Serengeti national park to see the wildebeest migration which occurs in different parts of the national park such as the central Serengeti or Seronera, northern Serengeti, the southern plains and around the western part of Serengeti national park.
In Tanzania apart from Serengeti national park, the wildebeest migration can also be seen in the Ngorongoro conservation area, and around the Ndutu area. The wildebeest migration also takes place in Masai Mara national reserve in the south western part of Kenya.
During the wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park, there are migration camps which follow the movement of the wildebeests and they provide front seats to this great spectacle at different times of the year.
Some of these camps which provide accommodation during the wildebeest migration around Serengeti national park include Ubuntu migration camp, Kimondo migration camp, Olakira migration camp Namiri plains, Sayari camp and many others.
Serengeti national park is not only home to the wildebeest migration but also has numerous wildlife species which can be seen during a safari at the destination such as the big 5 like elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos.
Other wildlife species which can be seen while on safari around Serengeti national park include zebras, gazelles, cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs, giraffes, hippos, impalas, elands, waterbucks, kudu, dik dik among others.
Throughout the year, wildlife viewing is carried out around Serengeti national park during Tanzania wildlife safaris and there are a variety of activities carried out at the destination including game drives in the morning, afternoon or evening, nature walks, community tours and bird watching excursions.
The best time of the year for wildlife viewing round Serengeti national park is during the months of June to October when it is the dry season. Many tourists are also on safari in the national park at this time of the year.
Among the requirements for safaris to Serengeti national park include park entry fees which vary in the peak season and in the low season. Park entrance fee for non-residents visiting Serengeti national park is 82 USD in the peak season and 71 USD in the low season.
Children aged between 5 years and 15 years on safari to Serengeti national park are charged park entry fee of 23.6 USD both in the peak season and in the low season and children below the age of 5 years are not charged park entry fees.
Visit Serengeti national park and enjoy the wildebeest migration and exploring the vast savannah plains in search of wildlife species during a safari.
