Each year more than six million hooves pound the legendary Serengeti’s endless plains. Triggered by the seasonal rains, more than a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle gather to undertake their long trek to new grazing lands. The wildebeest rutting season is a frenzied three week long bout of territorial conquests and mating, followed by survival of the fittest as the 40 km long columns plunge through crocodile infested waters on the annual exodus north. Replenishing the species is the brief population explosion that produces more than 8,000 calves a day before the 1,000 km pilgrimage begins again.
Tanzania’s first and most famous park, the Serengeti, is renowned for its wealth of leopard and lion. The vast reaches of the park are a hiding place for the endangered black rhino and provide a protected breeding ground for the vulnerable cheetah, alongside the Serengeti’s thousands of other diverse species, from the 500 varieties of bird to 100 different types of dung beetle.
After the rains, the Serengeti’s magical golden horizon is transformed into an endless green carpet, flecked with wildflowers. The famous plains are interspersed with wooded hills, towering termite mounds, monumental rocky kopjes, and rivers lined with elegant acacia trees.
To search for the at-times elusive wildebeest migration, visit the Serengeti from December to July. To see predators, June to October are the best months. For the best chance of finding the migration, allow a minimum of three days, longer if possible.
When to visit Serengeti National Park
The wildebeest migration fully depends on the rain season. You cannot successfully be determined when is the next wildebeest because seasons are changing these days due to climate change however car hire companies like hire a car Rwanda can guarantee you to rely on their expertise-they easily make the best wildebeest migration because of their experience in trips to Serengeti National Park, i highly recommend anyone going for a wildebeest migration safari to consult them.
I have heard about tourists who ended not seeing any zebra or wildebeest in Serengeti National park-all they saw was a green savanna. The reason for this is wrong timing-the season wasn’t right. I wouldn’t wish anyone to get frustrated for not getting what you want. Knowing the wildebeest migration period shall surely save you from frustration and regrets. Simply hire a car when you are sure about the season.
Don’t forget to pack your travel accessories
Now that you know very well the next season for the wildebeest migration, go ahead and pack every little accessory that you think, you shall need on your journey.
The weather is Tanzania is friendly and good however don’t forget a small tiny jacket, A nice camera for taking picturesque photos, anti-malaria tablets, safari boots for your safari, and others.
Serengeti National Park access gates
The Serengeti has four main entry and exit point:
Naabi Hill Gate
Serengeti’s main gate and also the busiest. Naabi Hills Gate is located approximately 45 kilometers from Seronera. Gate is open between 06h00 and 18h00 daily.
Ndabaka Gate
Main access gate for the Western Corridor area; approximately a 1.5 hours drive from Mwanza and 145 kilometers from Seronera. Gates are open between 06h00 and 18h00 daily but please note that last entry is at 16h00.
Klein’s Gate
Klein’s Gate is located in the far north-east of the Serengeti. Gates are open between 06h00 and 18h00 daily but please note that last entry is at 16h00.
Bologonya Gate
Bologonya Gate is located en route to or from Kenya, but the border is currently closed and unlikely to open soon.
How to get to Serengeti National Park
By car from Arusha
The drive to Serengeti National Park from Arusha Airport will take roughly eight hours, but you’ll enjoy some incredible scenery along the way. When visiting Serengeti we highly recommend exploring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a protected area suitable for wild animal spotting and home to a vast volcanic crater.
By plane from Arusha
The fastest way to get to Serengeti is by taking a small plane from a regional airport such as Arusha Airport to one of the several small airstrips located directly inside the park. To best way to get to Arusha Airport is by taking a domestic flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
By plane from Dar es Salaam
Alternatively, to a domestic flight from Arusha it is possible to take a domestic flight from Dar es Salaam to Serengeti. More than eight flights per day depart to Serengeti National Park with flight duration of about two hours. Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania’s largest and busiest airport is located 12 km from Dar es Salaam. International airlines such as Emirates, KLM, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines operate at this airport.
Lodges in the Park
Namiri Plains, Tortilis Camp, Dunia Camp, Singita Mara River, Kimondo migration Camp, Kabu kabu tented lodge, Taasa lodge, Mwiba lodge, Roving bush top, Four seasons Serengeti Safari lodge and Singita Faru Faru lodge.