Wildebeest migration safaris : The wildebeest migration is among the main tourist attractions in Tanzania and it can be seen in Serengeti national park.
Serengeti national park is found in the northern part of Tanzania and it is a safari destination which has many wildlife species, vast savannah plains and is also famous for the wildebeest migration safari.
Over 2 million wildebeests move across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem during the wildebeest migration. This migration takes place annually and safaris can be done to the different parts of Serengeti national park for a chance to see the wildebeest migration during the year.
During a wildebeest migration safari in Serengeti national park, you can also enjoy seeing many other wildlife species in the national park including the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos.
Wildebeest migration safaris around Tanzania can be done in the north, south, central and west depending on where the wildebeest herds are grazing at a specific time of the year. Predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs can also be seen during these safaris in the national park.
Some of the spectacles that tourists visiting Serengeti national park for the wildebeest migration enjoy include the river crossings that take place along the Mara river in the northern part of the national park and also along the Grumeti river in the western part of the national park. These river crossings take place during the months of June to August. Crocodiles also attack the wildebeests during the river crossings in Serengeti national park.
When exploring the southern part of Serengeti national park on a wildebeest migration safari in Tanzania, tourists can also get to see the calving season. The calving season takes place during the months of January, February and March. Safaris around the Ndutu area are also very exciting as over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily around the savannah grasslands south of Serengeti national park and the Ngorongoro conservation area. The calving season also takes place at a time when the rainy season takes place.
The wildebeest migration in the central part of Serengeti national park can be seen around April and May before the wildebeests move to the northern plains of the national park for the river crossing of the Mara river. The central part of Serengeti is also known as the Seronera area and numerous wildlife species can be spotted during safaris in this part of the national park.
A safari around Serengeti national park also involves taking part in various activities such as game drives, nature walks, hot air balloon safaris and also bird watching excursions in different parts of the park.
Game drives in search of the wildebeest herds during a safari around Serengeti national park is an exciting experience and you can get close to the wildebeests and also encounter other wildlife species as you explore the open savannah plains of the national park. These game drives can be carried out in the morning and also in the afternoon or evening hours. the type of safari vehicles used during these game drives are usually 4×4 safari vehicles with open roofs which make it easy to see the wildlife and also capture some amazing pictures during a safari.
Nature walks in Serengeti national park bring you closer to the nature around the park and with the help of a ranger guide; you can also see some wildlife species in the national park during these walks which take place off the usual game viewing tracks at the destination.
Wildlife viewing around Serengeti national park can also be done during a hot air balloon safari over the savannah plains. This activity is done in the different parts of Serengeti national park with an aerial view of the surroundings in the park and other attractions. The balloon ride takes about 1 hour and is done early in the morning.
Wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around Serengeti national park include zebras, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, elands, kudu, dik dik, waterbucks, hartebeests, hyenas, warthogs and many others.
Safaris in Serengeti national park can be done during any month of the year including the dry season and also the rainy season. The dry season is considered the best time for wildlife viewing and it takes place from June to October when wildlife species can be spotted around water sources.
How to get to Serengeti national park for a safari
Serengeti national park can be accessed by driving from Arusha and the drive takes about 7 hours. Another way to access the national park during safaris is by flights using the domestic airlines in Tanzania.
Flights to Serengeti national park can be got from Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro international airport to the different airstrips in the national park such as Kogatende airstrip, Seronera airstrip, Kusini airstrip, Fort Ikoma airstrip, Kirawira airstrip, Lobo airstrip, Sasakwa airstrip among others.
