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Wildebeest Migration

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park-Tanzania
Anthony Abraham

Tour Guide, Arusha, Tanzania

| 3 mins read

Serengeti National park is one amongst the16 National Parks found in Tanzania. It is the second largest National Park in Tanzania. The name originates from a Masai word 'Siringeti meaning endless plains. It was established in 1951, being the first National Park in Tanganyika. This park is famous for its Great Migration, the migration of animals mostly grazing animal occur every year. Basically, four animal species migrate in large herds. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 700,000 zebras, 200,000 eland antelope and 500,000 Thompson Gazelle migrate between the Serengeti /Mara Ecosystem. There are many reasons for this migration. Mainly being the lust and search for foraging ground and sweet unsalinated waters in the Serengeti/Mara Ecosystem.

Basically, in East Africa, we have two main rainy seasons, April/May, the northeastern Monsoon implicating heavy rainy season and October/November, the southeastern monsoon and this implicates not heavy rain season. Most rivers in the Serengeti/Mara Ecosystem depend in these rains. Most rivers in the Serengeti are seasonal rivers. Mbalageti River, Grumeti River, Bologonja Rivers and others are seasonal rivers. The only permanent river in the Serengeti is the Mara River, thus forcing herds to migrate up north in the dry season of June/July and August in the lust and search for sweet water. Currently, climate change affects this movement as both early rains and late rains can in one way or another effect this movement,

Serengeti is divided in corridors. The Western Corridor spreading to Lake Victoria, Central Seronera Valley spreading to Tana Springs and Makoma hill, Rongai hill, and Banagi river. The Eastern spreading the Namiri plains, Gol and Ngarenanyuki River. The Southern corridor Moru, Naabi hill and Simba Kopjes.The Northern part Wogakuria, Kogatende, Lobo to mention but a few.

Serengeti is the home for all the Big Five, and Seronera Valley is famous for its leopards and Big Cat population. Tanzania has approximately 21,000 lions of which 3,000 are found in the Serengeti Ecosystem. Rhinos can be sighted in the Moru area and partly up North, and the proximity of the Black Rhino population in the Serengeti/Mara Ecosystem is 40. Elephants are found near all big rivers of the Serengeti. Buffalo Herds are sighted in most parts in the Serengeti. Crocodiles and hippos can be sighted in all big rivers in the Serengeti, Grumeti River, Mara River, Mbalageti River, Bologonja River, Banagi River and all rivers of the Serengeti. Serengeti has many attractions Kopjes, Valleys, Plains and many fascinating landscapes.

One can visit Serengeti National Park at any time of the year. This park has different outlooks in different seasons, green in the rain season and golden brown in the dry season. One can reach this place either by road or air. There are airstrips in all locations in the Serengeti, be It central, western, north or south. Light aircraft fly in and out daily from all location depending on the season.

Luxury hotels, campsites and luxury campsites are in all locations. There are hotels and camps to suit any world traveller. The roads are well serviced. You can use any licensed tour operator to visit the park. To have good coverage, it is recommended to have a long stay. Two to three days will give you good coverage in the vast and big National Park.

We Welcome You To Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.