Migration Update: Central Serengeti

The migration is in the central Serengeti heading west (towards the Grumeti River) and north. They will continue west into the western corridor of the Serengeti and then head north towards the Masai Mara over the coming weeks.

To see the migration this year, we are recommending the northern Serengeti from July to November.

Sun Safaris has some excellent safari packages and tours this year.

Migration on the move

The wildebeest have started to move from the southern Serengeti. The main migrating herds are in the central Serengeti. Some of the herds are moving west towards the Grumeti River in the western Serengeti. Other herds are milling around Seronera, Moru or heading north west. The migration will continue moving west into the Grumeti (western Serengeti) and north west directly into the northern Serengeti over the coming weeks. They will continue migrating west and then north until they reach the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti, normally around late July.

The best permanent camps at this time of year are:
Dunia Camp: Situated in the beautiful Moru Kopjes.
Grumeti Tented Camp: Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp offers 10 luxury safari tents.

The best mobile camps are:
Serengeti Under Canvas: This mobile camp follows the migration. It is normally based in the central Serengeti at this time of year.

Migration news: Wildebeest moving from Ndutu

Finally, and later than "normal", the migration has started to leave Ndutu heading west and north west. The herds are stretched from Ndutu in the east, across the southern Serengeti to Grumeti in the west. Some herds have started crossing the Grumeti River. From here they will move into the Grumeti Reserve before making their way north.

Large herds are also moving north west from Ndutu and will move through Seronera towards the Masai Mara.

Migration in the Western Corridor heading for the Grumeti

There has been good rain in the western Serengeti and the Grumeti. The Grumeti River is flowing strongly and promises to facilitate some dramatic river crossing scenes in the coming weeks as the mega herds head into the Grumeti Reserve and north.

Serengeti Migration News: Herds heading north

The migration has been moving north out of the Grumeti through Ikorongo and Robanda. They are heading towards the Masai Mara and north east towards Lobo. There are still some wildebeest along the Grumeti River, but the main herds have moved off. June has been dry in the southern Serengeti and the new grazing and water in the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara Triangle are drawing the herds north. The north has received decent rainfalls.

Rangers are predicting the arrival of the migrating herds in the Mara Triangle in the next week, earlier than usual.
The best place to be based at the moment is Sayari Camp, the mobile camps based in the northern private camps or around the Mara Triangle. The Mara Triangle already has good populations of zebra and some wildebeest. The Grumeti camps are still reporting excellent game viewing. This week, both crocodiles and lions have been seen with kills.

Some camps to consider are:
Serengeti Premier Camps: Sabora Plains Camp, Faru Faru Camp, Grumeti River Camp
Serengeti Luxury Camps: Sayari Camp
Serengeti Comfortable Camps: Robanda Private Camp
Masai Mara Luxury Camp: Mara Explorer Camp, Rekero Camp, Governor’s Camp

Serengeti Migration Update: Grumeti River

The migration is spread from north of Maswa Game Reserve through the Grumeti River and into the Grumeti Reserve. There has been good rainfall over the past week in the western Serengeti.

The Grumeti Reserve has approximately 1.3 million wildebeest spread throughout the reserve. They have been moving back and forth following the rains. Initially, they looked like they were heading west towards Nyasarori, but a lot of rain fell around Ikorongo pulling the main herds back east. All the Grumeti Camps are reporting spectacular game viewing. On the open plains between Sasakwa and Sabora Plain Camp, guides have reported seeing some of the biggest populations of wildebeest in many years. Sabora Plains Camp has reported wildebeest drinking out of their pool. A wildebeest bull even fell in! Lions, cheetah and hyena have been very active in the area.

Wildebeest surround Sabora Plain Camp. Photo: Courtesy of Singita.

Wildebeest Migration News: Herds heading north

The migration is heading north towards the Masai Mara. They have entered the Grumeti Reserve and are still crossing the Grumeti River.

Grumeti River Crossing

Increasing numbers of wildebeest have been arriving and crossing the Grumeti River. The herds are moving north into the Grumeti Reserve on their way to the Masai Mara where there is more water.

There are dramatic scenes of herds across the river. Predators have been active and making the most of the easy hunt. Crocodiles have been feasting on unfortunate wildebeest, lions have been ambushing them and the hyenas and vultures have been scavenging at every opportunity.

Game drives have been outstanding with guest experiencing the migration at its best. The Grumeti area remains the best place to be based for a safari. The weather is also excellent for game drives. Roads have opened after the heavy rains closed them during the earlier part of the year. Rangers have been back-burning on the short grass plains.

Grumeti River Camp is in the heart of the action at the moment. The Singita camps; namely Sasakwa, Sabora Plains and Faru Faru; in the Grumeti Reserve are also good options for the next month. Robanda private camp is an excellent location for a mobile camp over the next month. It is outside the Serengeti National Park so guest can enjoy game walks and game drives amongst the migrating herds.

Migration approaching the Grumeti River

Map of the Grumeti River, western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserve:

Migration Status 2008: Grumeti River crossing has started

One of the highlights of the annual migration, the Grumeti River crossing, has started! The advanced party of wildebeest and zebra have already crossed the river and are moving into the Grumeti Reserve. The main herds have not reached the river yet, but their arrival and crossing is imminent. The crocodiles lie in wait and have already had successful kills. Other predators have been able to pick off prey as they approach or exit the Grumeti River. This is the start of the high season in the western corridor of the Serengeti.

All the permanent camps are busy and most of the mobile camp operators have set up camp in the area. All lodges between Seronera and the Singita camps in the Grumeti Reserve are popular at this time of year, but for the safari purist there is no beating being camped along the Grumeti River. Camp guests await the main herds and the spectacle of the greatest safari experience in Africa.

Migration Update: Grazing is sparse and dry

The grazing on the plains from Ndutu to the central Serengeti is getting sparse and dry. The herds are spread across a large area and broken into a few groups. Smaller herds can still be found east of Ndutu, but the main concentrations are moving west. There are also herds that have split and heading north west.

Gameviewing has been good with sighting of predators. Everyone is waiting expectantly for the arrival of the herds in the Grumeti.

Migration Statistics: Herds posed to cross the Grumeti River

The Grumeti River crocodiles are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the annual migration. This is one of the highlights of the annual migration calendar.

The best place to be based to see the migration is Grumeti River Camp, Kirawira Camp or one of the mobile camps. These are now based at private camps between Seronera and the Grumeti.

An good example of a safari for this time of year: June Safari route