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: Central migration and heading north

The migration is moving north quickly. The herds are spread widely across the central Serengeti and towards northern Serengeti. The herds can be found from southern Seronera up as far as Ikoma in the north. This a ahead of their normal schedule for this time of year.

 

Recommended camps for the coming month:

 

Sayari Camp: A fantastic luxury tented camp on the Mara River. Perfect for the migration crossing in July.

 

Serian Serengeti North Camp: A migratory camp open from June to October only

For expert advice on the annual migration, contact Sunsafaris

Migration news: Central Serengeti

The wildebeest and zebra are now in the central Serengeti and moving west and north west. The main herds are around Seronera and Naabi Hill. They are moving towards the Grumeti and should start crossing the Grumeti River in the coming week(s). The best place to be based at the moment is around Seronera. In the coming weeks the Grumeti River area and Grumeti Private Reserve are going to see some spectacular wildebeest-crocodile interaction. This is one of the highlights of the annual migration.

Our recommended camps in June:

Serena Safari Lodge

Dunia Camp: A luxury tented camp perfectly located to see the migration in June.

Migration news: Central Serengeti

The herds have started moving west and are currently from Serona in the central Serengeti moving west towards the western corridor. There are also large herds moving in a north westerly direction. The grazing is still good in the central Serengeti, for the time being, keeping the wildebeest in the area. As the rains start to dissipate and move west, the herds will follow. Over the next month we expect them to move rapidly through the western Serengeti and Grumeti Reserve, hopefully crossing the Grumeti River in the coming weeks. They will then make their way northwards in search of better grazing and water in the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara (Kenya).
The best camps to use at the moment are the mobile tented camps. Central Serona also has a number of large safari hotels, but these do not provide an authentic safari experience (in our opinion).

Heavy rains in the central Serengeti

The wildebest are around Moru Kopjes, Simiyu and the southern Moru area. Heavy rains around Seronera in the central Serengeti will finally encourage the wildebeest to start moving towards the central Serengeti. Due to the wet conditions, the best camps are still the permanent structured camps that have the facilities to deal with rain and muddy conditions. The central Serengeti is the location to see the migration in the coming weeks.

Migration news: Central Serengeti

There has been some rain in the central and southern Serengeti. The herds are moving south towards the Ndutu Plains. The majority of the migrating wildebeest are between Lobo, Seronera and the western perimeter of the Loliondo Game Controlled Area. The grazing is sustaining the herds, but more rain is required to turn the plains lush green. In the coming weeks the herds should arrive in the Ndutu Plains area where they will stay until March/April next year.

Game viewing is good, with many sightings of predators who track the migrating herds. The rain is moderate, not affecting roads too badly for safari guests.

Migration Update: Central and Eastern Serengeti

This season has seen unusual rain patterns. Rains have continued on through May, which is very unusual. This has meant that the wildebeest remained in the southern Serengeti (around Ndutu) until later than usual. As can be seen by the migration map, they are now spread out across a wide area of the Serengeti. Some small herds have crossed the Grumeti River (western Serengeti), other have gone directly north toward Lobo, while the large bulk of the wildebeest and zebra are in the central Serengeti (Seronera).

The general movement tends to be west through June (towards Grumeti) and then north into the Masai Mara (July/August), but with the good rains the wildebeest can find grazing across a much wider area this season.

The Grumeti River crossing has not yet kicked off properly, but safari guides are expecting this to happen in the coming week(s).

Rain in Ndutu

There has been a lot of rain around Ndutu, Masek and the Ngorongoro slopes. This is keeping the main wildebeest herds in the southern Serengeti. There are lots of foals getting stronger for the journey north.

A safari at this time of year is always challenging as the roads are muddy and a number of them have been closed by the rangers. Game viewing is excellent with huge herds across the plains and plenty of predators tracking them.

The best place to be based is for a safari is around Ndutu, Kusini or Seronera.

Migration Update 2009: Central Serengeti

We would like to clarify the post from 16 June 2009. This was a comment from one of our readers who has just returned from the Serengeti. I thought it was interesting so included it. The comments were probably based on individual and personal conversations with guides. As always, opinions on where and how the migration moves is very subjective and can change quickly with a change of weather or any number of factors. The truth is: No one really understands exactly how the migration moves and any prediction is only that.

The Masai Mara is not only dependent on the Serengeti herds for the migration. Herds also migrate from other northern areas of Kenya (e.g. Loita Plains) and there are resident herds that remain in the northern migration region of the eco-system throughout the year. There will almost certainly be a large migration in the Masai Mara this year, but the exact timing is debatable. The herds from the Serengeti may arrive later this year than in 2008, as conditions have meant they are staying in the central Serengeti longer this year. But, who knows for certain?

Thanks for your comments and please keep them coming. Any first hand experience in the area is also highly valued.

Migration News: Central Serengeti

Feedback from a reader that was in the Serengeti:

Last week they were in central Serengeti - just south of Seronera.

We travelled down from Grumeti Sunday 7th & Tuesday 9th - about 3.5 hours each way.

Grumeti are not expecting to see them until mid-July & there was talk that they might not reach Kenya at all this year.

Migration update: Wildebeest in the central Serengeti

The migration is in the central Serengeti and heading south. There has been a some heavy rainfall in the central Serengeti.

The short rains have not yet started to water the Ndutu short grass plains, so the wildebeest are still only making a slow procession south. The herds are spread from Seronera to Lobo and to the Loliondo Game Controlled area.

Migration Update: Central Serengeti and Loliondo

The migrating herds are in the central Serengeti, moving south through Seronera and Loliondo towards the Ndutu plains. There are still some herds in the Masai Mara, but these will probably remain as resident herds or trail behind later. A smaller group of wildebeest and zebra, which form the Loita herds, have also moved towards the eastern Masai Mara. These will eventually end up on the Loita Plains in Kenya and not migrate into the Serengeti. The migration has left the Mara slightly earlier than usual this year, but this seems to have been the trend in 2008 as they arrived early too.
The Mara River is flowing strongly causing problems for the remaining wildebeest trying to cross. Thousands have perished try and getting caught in the strong currents.
The Serengeti has seen good rains over the past week. There is new green grass throughout the southern Serengeti. It has had a chance to recover while the wildebeest have been in the north.
The wildebeest are heading to the short grass plains of the Ndutu as quickly as possible. Ndutu has the best grazing in the region, with short rich grasses. They will stay in this area as long as they can and will foal here later in the year. Eventually, towards March or April 2009, they will reluctantly be forced to move away from the Ndutu plains as the area is overgrazed. But, until then they will be in the southern Serengeti.
The best place to be based at the moment is around Seronera. There are a few large lodges (e.g. Sopa Lodge) in this area, but we recommend one of the smaller mobile camps that are now all set up in the private camps in the Seronera area. There is also a mobile tented camp in Loliondo that is ideal for the migration at moment.

Migration News: Migration enter the Serengeti

The main herds are now in the northern Serengeti moving south. The rear of the migration is still in the Mara, but in fewer numbers than a week ago. The Mara is grazed out, but the moderate rains will quickly restore the savannah plains.

This movement south is earlier than usual. The last migrating herds normally depart from the Masai Mara in November, but it looks like it could happen within the next week or two.

Game viewing is still excellent in the Masai Mara, with good wildebeest and zebra populations as well as all the resident game (that do not migrate) and predators. The BBC Big Cat Diaries is currently based at Governor’s Camp on the Mara River. They are following prides of lions and cheetah and have seen some dramatic predatory scenes. This is also an excellent time for birders as the migratory birds are arriving from the northern hemisphere. Some will remain in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, while most will continue further south towards the end of November.

The best place to see the migration at the moment is the northern Serengeti or the Masai Mara. Alternatively, visitors should base themselves at Seronera, in the Serengeti, as the advanced herds are just north of this area.

The vegetation in the north eastern part of the Serengeti is a lot thicker than the grass plains of Ndutu or the Masai Mara so safari guest will not necessarily see the full extent of the migration. The herds are also spread across a wide area from the Masai Mara in the north, Loliondo Game Controlled Area in the east and Seronera in the south.

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 heading west from Seronera

The core herd of over one million wildebeest, zebra and Thompson's gazelle are around Seronera. There are still stragglers as far back as Gol Kopje, but the general movement is west and north west. The rains have stopped and the Serengeti is drying up, making driving around easier. Game viewing has been excellent with abundant herds and foals playing and finding their running legs. Predators continue to follow the annual migration and pick off the weak and young.

The lead herds look like they will soon start to move towards the west corridor and the Grumeti River where there is better grazing at this time. The long grass of Seronera is quickly being depleted by the vast quantity of wildlife.

The best place to be based is obviously around Seronera or within driving distance of the central Serengeti. Robanda mobile camp in Ikoma Game Controlled Area is a good option for those wanting to do game drives and some walking safaris.

Migration update: Wildebeest moving towards Seronera

The main herds of wildebeest and zebra have started moving northwest away from Ndutu plains to Naabi Hill gate on their way to Seronera.

The best camps to be based at are the private mobile camps around Seronera, Kusini Camp or Serengeti Serena Lodge.