Tanzania’s National Parks are home to a wildlife incredible variety, flora and even cultures. There is the Serengeti where the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest you can enjoy for; Gombe Steam Reserve where Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees; the Ngorongoro Crater; Selous and Ruaha, which soon to be largest national park of Africa.
The great annual migration of wildlife
The great annual migration of millions zebra, wildebeest (or gnu) and other antelope in East Africa tops almost every list of safari experiences. You will need information about the annual migration when you plan your trip, the best times to witness, when to see this wildlife spectacle, and where to stay in Tanzania.
Around 300,000 zebra and 1.5 million wildebeest, each year along with other antelope, start their long trek and gather up their young from Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains, further north to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. They go in search of water and food. The animals cover a distance of around 1800 miles and their journey runs in a clockwise circle. Every year an estimated 250,000 wildebeest don’t make it and it’s a tough journey.
The migration that most spectacular sights is when the herds gather to cross the Mara River (Kenya) and the Grumeti River (Tanzania) from July through September. Usually, crocodiles are lying in wait for any weak, as the herds cross, and feeble ungulates that lose their mothers or can’t cope with the strong currents.
These aren’t the only spectacle with the river crossings. Just witnessing hundreds of animals on the plains is a sight in itself. Because they attract many of Africa’s impressive predators particularly. Leopards, lions, wild dogs and hyenas follow the herds and give safari goes excellent chances of seeing a kill in action.
The Tanzania’s Migration
In December through March, the Ngorongoro Conservation areas in northern Tanzania and the Serengeti plains are home to giant herds of zebra, wildebeest and other ungulates. This is calving season. In just a three week period, most of the wildebeest calves are born, usually in the beginning of February. This is an amazing time of year while calves attract predators to watch impressive lion kills. To see almost half a million little wildebeest being born is also quite spectacular, and see them running alongside their mothers.
To see the large herds during this time of year, the southern Salei and Ndutu plains are the best areas. These are the best places to stay include Kusini Camp, Ndutu Safari Lodge, Lemala Ndutu Camp and any mobile tented camps in the area.
By April to May the herds begin to migrate north and west to the woodland and grassier plains of the Serengeti?s western Corridor. During this stage of their migration, the rain during this time of year makes it difficult to follow the herds. In fact, many of Tanzania’s smaller camps shut down due to impassable roads.
As the rains stop, by the end of May, the zebra and wildebeest gradually start moving north and individual groups begin to congregate and form much larger herds. Also, this is the time the wildebeest mate. To watch the migration unfold, western Serengeti is the best place.
By July the herds reach their first big obstacle, the Grumeti River, which can get deep in places, if the rains have been good especially. This is the first of the spectacular river crossings you can witness. For many wildebeest, the depth of the river makes drowning a distinct possibility and to take advantage of their distress, there are plenty of crocodiles.
During this time, camps along the river make for an experience of incredible safari. The Serengeti Serena which is a central are the best places to stay that easily accessible lodge for viewing the migration at this time. Migration Camp, Grumeti River Camp and Kirawira Camp are also options. For those on a budget, Moru and Seronera area campsites are the best, but Kleins Camp is also ideally situated.
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