May 2018 - Wildebeest migration updates

Ranger Elia Edward captured a herd of zebra and wildebeest migration in the Naabi Hill, during his morning game drive. 

The Namiri Plains Camp is treated to a view of thousands of wildebeest bordering the camp. Meanwhile, lots of wildebeest are moving further towards the Namiri Plains. 

Credit: Camp Manager, Diana Shambi

The herds are still enjoying the beaming fresh, lush grass in the Ndutu area. 

Credit: Lodge Manager, Ainslie Wilson

Ranger Karim Saadun captured a massive herd in the Simiyu area heading towards the Moru Kopjes. 

Managing director and lead driver, Simon Zacharia spent three days in the Serengeti following the wildebeest migration, during his safari he spotted a small group of wildebeest in the East Namiri Plains and the Barafu Kopjes. 

On the last day of his safari, he drove to the Ndutu area and captured a very large group enjoying the lush green grass. The Ndutu area is the best place to spot the herds, he says.  

The herds are in no hurry to leave the Ndutu area!

Lodge Manager, Ainslie Wilson captured the wildebeest and zebra enjoying the lush green grass in the Ndutu. 

It's still raining heavily throughout the Serengeti!

The big herd is migrating along the Naabi Hills, heading towards the mawe ya Simba.

Credit: Ranger, Ian Kiwelu

A small group of herds has been seen heading back into the Ndutu. 

Meanwhile, a large herd is moving slowly into the Central Serengeti through the Simba Kopjes and Gol Kopjes on their way to the Northern Serengeti. 

The Wildebeest Migration is returning to the Ndutu!

Lodge Manager, Ainslie Wilson spotted thousands of the wildebeest streaming down onto the Ndutu Lakeshore during her morning game drive.

It's raining heavily in the Serengeti, mainly in the western area.

Safari guide, Leverd Enock spotted the herds migrating in the south of Ndutu and some in the Maswa area. 

A large number of herds were seen between the Naabi Hill and Simba Kopjes area, moving towards the Central Serengeti.

However, a small group of herds is moving slowly in the triangle of the Ndutu and Goloni area.  

The migration is occurring around the Naabi Hill Gate (Golini).

Credit: Assistant Manager, Justin Bernard

Lodge Manager, Ainslie Wilson captured a large herd of the migration streaming to the south onto the Ndutu Plains.

This is the best green season ever, she says!

Ndutu still has a few stragglers in the area. 

Credit: Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp safari guide, Mohamed Hassan 

The herds were migrating about 4-10 miles in the western area of the Naabi Hills and 9-15 miles in the Northern side of the Ndutu area. 

Credit: Pilot, Steve Cunningham

Safari guide Baraka Ng’wavi captured a large herd of wildebeest in the eastern Serengeti, near the Research Kopjes. 

Photographer Roshni Lodhia's Serengeti experience: 

Roshni Lodhia was in the Mara region of the Serengeti National Park. It was around 5:30pm and she was hoping to catch the sunset over the beautifully built Mara River Post Lodge perched on a hilltop.

So, she hopped into the 4-wheel-drive to the bottom of the hill, only to see this looming cloud cover approaching their way. The safari driver stopped the vehicle and she scrambled to the roof to get this image.

Within a 10-minute time frame, she watched the storm sweep over them as if in a movie scene. When it reached them, there was no drizzle or hint of rain as a warning - it down-right poured with lollipop-sized hailstones hitting the windows.

Their vehicle was shaking from side to side and there was absolutely no visibility beyond the walls of the car. It was a crazy and once-in-a-lifetime experience, she says.

The NSF-EAR Postdoctoral Emily, captured the wildebeest and zebra migrating from the south where it had been raining in the Lake Ndutu for fresh water. 

A large group of the wildebeest and zebra were seen moving past the Namiri Plains, heading north.

Credit: Safari guide, Leverd Enock

A  big herd of migrating wildebeest were spotted in the Research Kopjes, heading towards the Zebra Kopjes.

The Kopjes are in the Southern area of Namiri and the northern side of Gol Kopjes. 

Credit: Ranger, Kareem Saadun

Today the wildebeest start their Great Migration to the north!

They can be seen moving north, migrating to seek fresh grazing and water. The area around Maru Kopjes and west of Seronera is hectic with a series of moving columns, often thousands of animals - joined by zebra, Thomson's and Grant's gazelles all moving together and followed by lion, cheetah, hyena, jackal and vultures as cleaners of the Serengeti ecosystem. 

Credit: Owner, Emanuel Melubo Mamasita

Conservation Biologist Filmmaker, Marlina captured the migratory herds in the Gol Kopjes area of the Serengeti. 

The majority of the herds are heading back down south towards the Gol Kopjes.

There was a major rain storm in the Ndutu area over the past weekend. 

Credit: Sales and Marketing, Johann Lombard

Due to the heavy rains still continuing in the southern Serengeti Plains, the wildebeest are widespread, particularly in Lake Ndutu around the Naabi Hill, Gol Kopjes and the Barafu area. 

Credit: Lodge Manager, Ainslie Wilson

Safari guide Muba Mkepo was travelling through the southern region of the Naabi Hill towards the Ndutu. Much to his surprise, he noted that the wildebeest had returned from where they were a couple of days ago in the Gol Kopjes area.

The migration is now moving southwest towards the Hidden Valley and the southern part of the Serengeti. They are following the recent rains that have showered the region, promoting exponential grass growth which they are in need of for their long journey to the north.