The unusually dense herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra that had flooded into the heart of the Seronera River Valley as discussed in our last posting have splintered into several groups now. The biggest group is currently located around the Hembe Campsites at the beginning of the Western Corridor of the Serengeti approximately 5 kms to the east of the famous Musabi Plains. This herd is quickly moving west down the Corridor and we anticipate there will be some great migration sightings in the Musabi Plains in the days to come.

In addition to this aforementioned herd entering the Western Corridor, large herds of migratory wildebeest still remain throughout the Central Serengeti making Seronera Valley the current # 1 wildlife viewing destination for all our African Safaris in Tanzania. Our guests out on safari at the moment in Seronera are being delighted with not only great migration sightings but also with regular sightings of Seronera’s big cats. Several safaris out yesterday had nice experiences with all 3 species: lion, leopard and cheetah!

Migration sightings including both zebra and wildebeest have been recorded in the Central Serengeti at the base of Oldoinyo Rongai (near the Prince Charles campsites) and in the woodlands between Kubukubu and Retina Hippo Pool. We also have reports of scattered herds still stubbornly clinging to the edge of the Southern Plains around Kusini Camp and the Simiyu/Soito Kopjes. Furthermore, one of our safaris yesterday spotted another large herd of wildebeest in the Tagora Plains just northwest of Mbuzi Mawe Camp where the new Bilila Lodge is located. Today this same herd was spotted moving further north towards Lobo Valley.

It’s quite unusual to have the migration so dispersed at the end of May with herds scattered all the way from Kusini in the South to almost Lobo in the North while the traditional May ranging areas around Grumeti, Kirawira and Mbalageti in the Western Serengeti remain strangely empty. Despite the absence of the migratory wildebeest and zebra, the Western Serengeti is still delivering great game viewing for resident animals including elephant, giraffe and hippo.

Special thanks to our very own Lynn Newby-Fraser who took this fantastic migration shot in the Seronera Valley on May 16th.