Jambo (hello everyone)

When seeking wildlife spectacles, timing is everything!
And mine was spot on as I headed into the Serengeti for one of wildlife’s greatest shows on earth. The annual birthing of the migration!

Each year en mass, over a million plus wildebeest congregate on the short glass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation area to give birth. Once the region has received the first rains, the fertile volcanic soils are transformed into a lush green pasture, rich in phosphorus, an essential mineral for healthy growth. The animals know this, and that’s why they come here. Together with a few hundred thousand zebra and Thompson’s gazelle, it’s an event of epic proportions with around 8000 wildebeest calves being born per day!

Out on the expansive plains, the sheer numbers of wildebeest was overwhelming. From every direction came the snaking curve of black dots, growing larger as we got closer. And with the migration, comes what many are there searching for - a plethora of predators including large prides of lions, hyena, leopard, cheetah and vultures. No wildlife documentary could have prepared me for the thundering reverberation of close to a million pounding hooves. It just boggled my mind and at times, just too hard to absorb in a days game viewing.

The Ndutu area is off the beaten track and for much of the year; remains quietly hidden. But for a few months each year, this unassuming corner takes centre stage as it plays host to the migration. I was hosted at the Ngorongoro and Serengeti Wilderness Camps, both expertly run by Exclusive Lodges Tanzania. Both their camps are perfectly pitched and ideal for accessing the migration.
I recommend both camps and am happy to assist with all your Tanzania safari bookings.

As I flew out over the breathtaking Serengeti, I thought to myself – not a bad show for a bunch of ugly flat faced white bearded herbivores!

Click here for last few spaces for Wild Dog week at Selinda Reserve in November 2010!


Kwaheri (goodbye in Swahili)