Grumeti River

Grumeti River : The Serengeti is well-known for a variety of reasons, none more so than the Great Migration. This scene, which is often referred to as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, is nothing short of magnificent. Here, you’ll find creatures large and small trying everything they can to stay alive. The sheer magnitude of the figures is mind-boggling. Consider this: 1.5 million wildebeest, 350,000 gazelles, 12,000 eland, and 200,000 zebra are all migrating to green plains after the seasonal rains.

The Western Corridor (or West Serengeti) stretches from the Serengeti National Park to Lake Victoria and is known for the spectacular river crossings of the Grumeti River during the Great Migration between May and July. The Western Corridor, a huge valley bordered by hills that ends in Lake Victoria, is made up of open savanna, woodlands, floodplains, and riverine forest that are home to a wide variety of year-round wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, hippo, giant Nile crocodiles, rare Colobus monkeys, and the locally endemic kongoni antelope.

During the Great Migration, the crocodile-infested Grumeti River is one of the first challenges faced by wildebeests migrating from Tanzania to the Maasai Mara. The Grumeti River, which is frequently eclipsed by her bigger sister, the Mara River, is no less impressive once the wildebeest come. Because of its remoteness, this part of the Serengeti (Grumeti River) is rarely visited. Those that do travel this far, however, are rewarded with a wide range of year-round species, including giraffe, hippo, cheetah, elephant, enormous Nile crocodiles, and healthy leopard and lion populations.

Grumeti River
wildebeests across Grumeti River

Because of Grumeti’s distant position, you won’t be disturbed by a line of safari vehicles as it happens in another Serengeti parts such as the seronera. During the Great Migration, over 30 safari vehicles congregate on the Mara River’s banks, but Grumeti’s banks will be home to half that number. The Grumeti River is a fantastic option for those looking to escape the busy season, which runs from mid-June to September and is when the parks are busier and travel is more expensive. The Grumeti River crossings normally take place in a one-or two-week window in May and June, although exact timing is tough to forecast because the migration follows the rains.

HOW LONG IS THE GRUMETI RIVER?

The Grumeti River flows westward into Lake Victoria, spanning the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park. The western corridor, which spans 50 kilometers, is characterized by large savannah grasslands, riverine woodland, undulating hills, and shaded acacia trees.

HOW TO GET TO THE GRUMETI RIVER?

Due to its remote position, the best way to get to the Grumeti River is by flight. Several airlines fly to the Grumeti Airstrip on a daily basis from major Tanzania parts such as Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar, and this is the simplest and faster mode of transport to Grumeti River. If you’re traveling by car, the Ndabaka Gate is the most direct route to the Grumeti River and the Western Corridor. It’s about a 9-hour trip from Arusha. It takes around 3-5 hours to drive from Seronera (the centre of Serengeti) to the main entrance at Naabi Hill.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GRUMETI RIVER?

The best months to visit the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River are late May and July, when you can see the Grumeti River crossings and herds on the move, but September and October are also good months to see the remaining herds of zebra and wildebeest, as well as other resident wildlife like elephant, leopard, and lion. Rainstorms are frequently strong and abrupt, causing events to be canceled at the last minute. However, until September, if you prefer a more private safari experience, the western corridor is ideal for wildlife viewing.

 WHERE TO STAY DURING YOUR VISIT AT GRUMETI RIVER

Because it is a secluded portion of the Serengeti with few tourists or visitors other than in June and July when the wildebeest cross the river, there is limited accommodation in this area, but you can still stay in one of the few options available. Singita Sabora tented camp, located on the great migration path in the Grumeti Reserve, features just 9 safari tents, all elegantly designed in a sleek and modern safari style. They offer a personal, luxury safari experience and are ideally situated for outstanding views.

Grumeti River
Singita

All of the tents have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning, as well as hot showers and bathtubs. There’s a dressing room, a reading nook, and a private balcony overlooking the watering hole, so you can watch wildlife from the comfort of your daybed. In addition to game drives and guided nature walks, activities such as archery, stargazing safaris, mountain biking, and tennis are available in addition to game drives at this Grumeti accommodation. Singita takes pride in being environmentally friendly, with minimally invasive designs made from local resources, solar energy, and water conservation. They also contribute significantly to local community and conservation efforts.

Another choice for accommodation near the Grumeti River is Kirawira Serena. This luxury 25-tent camp, which overlooks the Kirawira Plains in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor, is reminiscent of the early twentieth century. Edwardian chests, four-poster beds, sepia photos, patchwork quilts, and brass finishings add elegance to the space. The bathrooms are stunning with double sinks situated on mahogany counter tops, tiled floors, waterfall showers, and flushing toilets. Hair dryers, butler service, and early morning wake-up calls with fresh coffee are all available to guests. The 5-course menus include soups, salads, roasts, sorbets, and full English breakfasts.

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