ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
Wildebeest Migration
Update! Although predictable in general terms, the migration is different every year and its finest movements in search of pastures and water are difficult to foresee. The end of 1998 and beginning of 1999 has been particularly dry. After the "El Nino" rains of the last season, the short rains of November never showed up in the plains and the wildebeest stayed far in the woodlands that dominate the rest of the Serengeti. The first storms at the end of January created much confusion. The herds advanced southwards but the rain stopped and the plains never started to green. Calving took place at Makau, Maswa Game Reserve, and the herds didn't reach the plains until generous rains started to fall at the beginning of March. This is, we believe, an early start of the long rains that normally extend through to May. At the moment the Migration occupies a huge extension between Naabi Hill and Olduvai Gorge. The presence of the new calves is everywhere. Cheetahs and hyenas roam the plains in search of food and there are even rumors that a pack of wild dogs have resettled in an area where they were present until the beginning of the 1990's. The Serengeti has reached its peak wildlife viewing moment allowing us to predict magnificent game viewing in the coming months. At Tarangire the herds of zebra and wildebeest are still scattered in the maasai steppe, but large herds of elephant are regularly seen in the Park. Lesser kudu, certainly a beautiful antelope, have been spotted by guides on the last two safaris. In spite of the drought, game viewing has been excellent. Haggae, one of the guides, set a new record by spotting 9 leopard on a 10 day safari! Two in Tarangire, another 2 in the Serengeti at the woodlands around Lake Ndutu, two more at Moru Kopjes and just at the end of the safari, a female with two tiny cubs got across the road when he was driving clients to the airfield at Seronera. Back to The Wildebeest Migration Made Simple Links to other pages: ULTIMATE AFRICA
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