Serengeti migration : The great wildebeest migration is the largest movement of wildlife in the world and it takes place annually in Serengeti national park which is found in the northern part of Tanzania.
In Serengeti national park, over 2 million wildebeests move across the savannah plains as the search for water and greener pastures. Zebras and gazelles can also be seen during the wildebeest migration in Tanzania.
Early during the year, the wildebeest migration can be seen in the southern part of Serengeti national park close to the Ngorongoro conservation area. The migration follows a clockwise movement between Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The Ndutu area is known for the calving season and it takes place around January, February and March. During this time of the year the wildebeest migration can be seen around Ndutu and young calves are born in the grass plains. Many predators can also be spotted in the savannah plains such as lions.
Around April and May, the wildebeests continue moving towards the central part of Serengeti national park. The central part of the national park is also referred to as the Seronera area and is also the most visited part of Serengeti and it has numerous wildlife species.
The migration in Serengeti national park can also be seen around the western part of the national park where river crossings take place along the Grumeti river. River crossings during the wildebeest migration also take place along the Mara river which is in the northern part of Tanzania.
Around June, July and August, the wildebeest migration the wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park can be seen around the northern part of the national park. This river crossing is also said to be the highlight of the wildebeest migration in Tanzania and also takes place in the high season. This is also considered the best time for safaris in Serengeti national park and a good time to see the wildebeest migration in Tanzania.
The wildebeest migration in Tanzania takes a period of about 9 months before crossing over to the Kenya side where safaris for the wildebeest migration experience are carried out in Masai Mara national reserve which is located in the south western part of Kenya.
When crossing the Mara river into the Kenya side, the wildebeests are attacked by crocodiles and also predators like lions and leopards. The wildebeests cross from different points on the river and some of them unfortunately drown as they struggle to make it across the Mara river.
After the migration in Kenya, the wildebeests return to Serengeti national park and another cycle of the wildebeest migration starts again.
Serengeti migration brings many people to Tanzania for safaris including both locals and foreigners. Park entrance fee is among the requirements that tourists visiting Serengeti national park are charged during their safaris.
Nonresidents during wildebeest migration safaris in Serengeti national park are charged entrance fee of 70 USD in the peak season and 60 USD in the low season for those above 16 years of age and children aged between 5 and 15 years visiting Serengeti national park are charged entrance fee of 20 USD excluding 18% tax.
Residents visiting Serengeti national park in Tanzania above the age of 16 years are charged entrance fee of 35 USD in the peak season and 30 USD in the low season while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged park entrance fee of 10 USD excluding 18% tax.
East Africans or Tanzanians visiting Serengeti national park who are above the age of 16 years are charged park entrance fee of 11,800 Tanzania shillings and children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged park entrance fee of 2,360 Tanzania shillings.
The different ways to explore Serengeti national park during safaris in Tanzania include game drives, nature walks and also hot air balloon rides over the savannah plains of the national park.
Game drives around Serengeti national park can be done in the different parts of the destination including the north, south (Ndutu area), central (Seronera area) and also in the western part of the national park. 4×4 safari vehicles are used during game drives around the national park which are carried out in the morning and also in the afternoon or evening. These game drives can be done during group tours or private safaris around the national park. Some lodges in Serengeti national park also organize this activity for guests visiting the national park during the year.
Some of the wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around Serengeti national park include lions, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, waterbucks, impalas, zebras, gazelles, hyenas, kudu, elands, hartebeests and many others. Serengeti national park is among the destinations in Tanzania which offer amazing wildlife viewing throughout the year and the best time for wildlife viewing is said to be the dry season from June to October when wildlife species gather around water sources.
You can also take part in a walking safari during a tour of Serengeti national park and this activity is done off the usual tracks followed by vehicles during safaris in Serengeti national park making it a worthwhile experience. A ranger guide moves with the tourists during the walking safaris which provide a closer view of the endless plains of Serengeti national park.
Hot air balloon safaris are another way to explore Serengeti national park. This activity gives you an aerial view of attractions in Serengeti national park and during the wildebeest migration, you can watch the herds as they graze in the open savannah plains or cross the Mara river. The hot air balloon safaris can be done in different parts of Serengeti national park and it costs about 600 USD per person.
There are different ways to get to Serengeti national park during a safari and you can choose to either fly or drive to the destination. For drives to Serengeti national park, you can start the safari from Arusha town and the journey takes about 7 to 8 hours.
The flight option when getting to Serengeti national park is a time saving option of getting to the destination. These flights to Serengeti national park are offered by domestic airlines like Coastal Aviation, Regional Air, Flight link among others.
