Wildebeest Migration in the Seronera Region
Seronera region in Serengeti National Park is most popular for its powerful wildebeest migration experience. During the peak migration season in Seronera, more than 2 million wildebeest embark on a move through the rich Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. The wildebeest moves together with other grazers to search for pastures and water. The Great Migration occurs only once a year but different events happen during different phases of months. The best time to visit the Seronera region to witness the Great Migration and also the big cats is around December, January, February, April, and June.
The Seronera is Serengeti’s Southern and Central sector and is where the Seronera Valley what the Maasai people call the Serengeti (the land of endless plains). This particular region features stunning savannas, and acacia and is one of the most spectacular tourist sites in the Serengeti National Park. During the wildebeest migration in the Seronera region in Tanzania, expect to come across interesting big cat families including cheetahs, leopards, lions, and hyenas. The Seronera is where the Seronera River is also the main source of water. A huge concentration of wildlife in Serengeti is confined in this region including zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, elephants, and other antelope families.
The Seronera Valley landscape features woodland, savanna plains, and acacia trees. Other than the big cats, wildebeests, and zebras, other faunal species to find in the Seronera region include cape buffaloes, hippos, topis, impalas, and others.
How much does it cost to see wildebeest migration in Seronera?
The cost of seeing the Great Migration in Seronera does vary depending on essential factors such as the kind of accommodation, length of stay in the destination, lifestyles, and cost of transportation. On average, the Great Migration tour can cost from USD 2000 to USD 4000 per person.
Is the Seronera Great Migration worth it?
Traveling to Seronera in Serengeti National Park to enjoy the great migration is worth every penny. This is a lifetime experience and is best enjoyed in Tanzania and Kenya. The most remarkable of all is the powerful river crossing.
How long can the great migration take?
Often, the wildebeest migration is regarded as an annual event, but in a real sense, it occurs continuously. The movement revolves around Tanzania and Kenya ecosystems, taking a circular pattern. In a year, the great migration can take up to 1200 miles. After calving, the wildebeest begins the long trek of about 800 km, and actual movement usually begins in April and early June.
Which is the best month to see the great migration?
The best month of the year to witness the great migration is around July to November. Around July and August, the wildebeest migrate to Masai Mara in Kenya, with the most important event of all being the Mara River crossing.
Other activities to do in the Seronera region
Guided game drives
Game drives in the Seronera offer a complete immersion into the Serengeti plains in search of the diverse savanna mammals. This region is most popular for wildlife encounters, especially zebras, elephants, elands, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, and several species of birds. Seronera game drives are conducted for a full day, or in the morning/afternoon.
During the game drive through the Seronera, expect to explore the diversity of big cats/predators including leopards, cheetahs, and lions. These can be spotted as they roam around while hunting for the day in the open savanna grassland in the Serengeti National Game Park. As you enjoy your game drive, take note that feeding wildlife is highly prohibited.
Birding tours
Bird watching is a unique experience that awaits you in the Seronera region. The diversity of bird species can be spotted. A total of 500 species of birds can be explored during bird-watching excursions in the Seronera region including the grey-chested helmet shrikes, yellow-throated sand grouse, hornbills, and woodpeckers, etc.
Other birds include the blue-billed teal, knob-billed duck, white-faced whistling-duck, spur-winged goose, yellow-billed duck, Egyptian goose, harlequin quail, red-necked spurfowl, Hildebrandt’s spurfowl, red-winged francolins, greater flamingos, lesser flamingos, laughing doves, speckled pigeon, emerald-spotted wood dove;
Additional birds to identify on birding excursion here include the Kori bustards, black-faced sand grouse, chestnut-bellied sand grouse, nightjars (freckled nightjars, square-tailed and slender-tailed nightjars), swifts (ranging from mottled swift, African swift, little and Nyanza swift), lesser moorhen, black crake, Eurasian moorhen, spotted thick-knee, black-winged stilt, pied avocet, and small buttonquail.
You can also spot birds such as the three-banded courser, collared pratincole, black-headed gull, bronze-winged courser, temminck’s courser, African woolly-necked storks, abdim’s stork, wood hoopoes, and more. The best month to visit the Seronera for bird watching is around November and April. It is around this period when bird enthusiasts can come across even the migratory species of birds.
Other attractions to explore in the Seronera include;
Kopjes: These consist of the Simba kopjes –the excellent places to find lions. The kopjes are typically rock outcrops and are commonly seen on a safari in Serengeti National Park.
Seronera Valley: This is most popular for the big cat encounters. Additional predators to be spotted around this area include serval cats, jackals, hyenas, and caracals.
Unique cultures and people: Living adjacent to the Serengeti, there exist the warm welcoming Masai people. A cultural tour in the Serengeti National Park is a perfect way to explore the distinct culture, traditions, and practices and also for you to get entertainment.
The Maasai people are known for their unique local arts and crafts including earrings, beaded necklaces, shukas belts, etc. Maasai cultural trips can be combined with the majority of the Serengeti National Game Park’s exciting activities such as game viewing, bird watching, and more.
Where to stay in the Seronera Region on Great Migration and other safaris
Guests have a wide array of comfortable accommodation choices distributed in and around the Seronera region. These include Lake Ndutu Luxury Lodge, Chaka Camp, Ndutu Wild Frontier Camp, Naabi Extra, Hugo Memorial Camp, Sanctuary Camp Kusini, Nasikia Camp, Halisi Camp, Masek View Lodge, Kati Kati Camp, Kakakuoana and Wildland Camp.
Other regions in Serengeti National Park
The Northern sector: This region is most popular as the Lobo area and forms part of the Serengeti. The Lobo area boasts of its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. The common wildlife to explore in this region include elephants, zebras, lions, hippos, wildebeest, giraffes, and different antelope families. Around the Lobo area (Northern sector), there are accommodation options including the Alex Walker Serian, Lemala Mara Camp, Lamai Camp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Serengeti Under Canvas, Lemala Kuria Hills, Sayari Camp.
The Eastern Sector: This sector is best explored around October and November. It is during these months when the wildebeest return to Serengeti National Park to enjoy the green pastures. The Eastern sector lies East of the Grumeti River and is most popular for its great views, especially for the predators. Places to consider for overnight stays in the Eastern sector include Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Lemala Nanyukie Tented Lodge, Serengeti Explorer Camp, Migration Camp, and Klein’s Camp.
What to pack for Tanzania safari in Seronera
Consider packing simply and begin with essential items such as a rain jacket, sunscreen, medical kit/medication, insect repellents, a pair of binoculars, a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, a sweater, and sunscreen. Your packing list should also comprise a safari hat, a light daypack, a good camera, warm clothes, and more.
