Migration News: Wildebeest arrive in Masai Mara

The highlight of the Great Annual Migration has begun! Wildebeest and zebra have been seen arriving into the Masai Mara and moving towards the Mara River. Small numbers have been crossing around the Sand River.

The main herds are still in the Serengeti spread from Seronera (central Serengeti) towards the Grumeti (western Serengeti eco-system) and the border with the Masai Mara (northern Serengeti).

All safari enthusiasts and conservationist look forward to this time, the highlight of the year in terms of the wildebeest migration. Millions of wildebeest and zebra will soon be squashed into the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara. They will zig-zag across the grasslands crossing the Mara River and Talek River often. The crocodiles will ly in wait and pick off the weak and unlucky. Similarly, big cats will wait on the far side of the river waiting for exhausted wildebeest and zebra which make easy prey.

This is the start of the high season in the Masai Mara. Huge numbers is tourists will visit to see the migration - so expect company if you plan to travel.

The migration usually stays around the northern eco-system until October, when they will start moving east and then south.

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 update: Starting to head west

The herds have slowly started heading west towards Kusini. Is this the start of the migration from the southern Serengeti towards Grumeti?

Wildebeest settled on the Ndutu Plains

The southern Serengeti is wet and green. The main herds of wildebeest are settled on the Ndutu Plains enjoying the lush grasslands. There are also herds around Moru, Kusini and east towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Reserve.

Safari guest should be prepared to get wet at this time of year. But, in return, visitors will be rewarded with some of the most stunning and spectacular scenery and game viewing the Serengeti has to offer. The permanent camps are probably better equipped to handle the rain at this time of year. Kusini Camp is a good option.