The wildebeest herds are packed on the Ndutu Plains in the southern Serengeti. The rains have attracted them back to this fertile area where the short grasses are rich in nutrients. Foals are growing stronger in preparation to their long migration to the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara in the next couple of months.
Predators are everywhere, picking off the weak, young, old or isolated. The safari camps in the region have reported good sightings of lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena. As the wildebeest are mostly stationary (not migrating) at this time, a typical hunt is a patient wait, swift feet, quick acceleration and speed to capture their prey. Lions prides are masters at this, working together to ambush isolated wildebeest.
The best safari camps to be located at at this time of year are:
Serengeti under canvas - A luxury mobile camp that follows the annual migration around the Serengeti. They are currently located close to Ndutu, in the midst of the main herds.
Ndutu Lodge - Ndutu is a mid-range permanent lodge located at Lake Ndutu. It is a good place to be based to avoid the worst of the daily rains.
The Great Wildebeest Migration moves through the Serengeti and Masai Mara National Parks. We track their progress. The migration path varies from year to year depending on weather and other environmental factors. The blog is the simpliest way to get an understanding of the movements based on recent past movement patterns.
