Rivers in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti Rivers: Mara River and Wildlife Migration.
Rivers in Serengeti National Park: Serengeti National Park is a beautiful, much-sought-after Tanzanian national park that attracts many travellers every year. Best known for hosting the world’s revered animal spectacle, the great wildebeest migration, as well as different animals, including the Big Five animals, and endless plains dotted with acacia trees and kopjes, Serengeti National Park is home to several rivers.
There are 6 rivers in Serengeti National Park flowing through the different parts of the park. 3 of these rivers are found at the boundaries of the park with communities. The Serengeti Rivers include the Mara River, Seronera River, Grumeti River, Mbalageti River, Nanyuki River and Naironya River. All these rivers are tributaries of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa that is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and is the source of the River Nile, which is the longest river in Africa.
Mara River
The Mara River is a boundary river found in the northern part of Serengeti National Park, bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Mara River is a famous Serengeti river and an important one at that, for it is a great wildebeest migration link between Tanzania and Kenya. Crowds of people flock to the Mara River area in July and August, especially in the quest to witness the iconic Mara River crossing of the great wildebeest migration.
The Mara River has crocodiles and hippos, which, together with lurking predators offshore, make the great wildebeest migration an action-packed experience. The Mara River, aside from being a deathtrap for the migrating herds, is a source of water for the animals in Serengeti National Park all throughout the year, as it is a permanent river.
Seronera River
The Seronera River, on a Tanzania safari, is permanent in Serengeti National Park, found in the central area of the park. The Seronera River area is a famous and most sought-after part of the park; all year round, many animals can be spotted here as they come for a drink or dip. In the dry season, especially, a variety of animals can easily be seen.
With the riverine vegetation, kopjes and swamps, a large diversity of wild game is often seen here, including cats like lions and leopards. Cheetahs, genet cats, and others. Hippos are abundant as well.
Grumeti River
Another Serengeti migration river, the Grumeti River, is located in the western corridor of the park. The great wildebeest migration is usually here in the months of April, May and June as the herds make their way towards the northern area for the Mara River crossing to Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. The Grumeti River crossing is the second most sought-after river crossing in the Great Wildebeest Migration. It is not as crowded as during the Mara River crossing and thus is a great option for travellers not after crowds.
The Grumeti area is a great guided walking safari area in the park, rewarding travellers with an opportunity to come up close with nature and wild game in the company of well-trained armed ranger guides.
Mbalageti River
The Mbhalageti River is a seasonal river of the park found in the western part of the Serengeti in the Mbhalageti Valley. The Mbhalageti River is also in the path of the wildebeest migration, so travellers have a chance to spot the migration here if it’s in season. Fewer travellers visit the area, so it is a great option for travellers looking for a bit of exclusivity. Baboons and hippos are a common sight.
The other rivers in the Serengeti are the Nanyuki River and Naironya River, both of which contribute immensely to the ecosystem of the park.
These Serengeti rivers play an important role in the ecosystem, sustaining not only the plant life but also the diverse animals of the park for their sustainability and thriving. During the dry seasons, the permanent rivers play an important role in sustaining over 2 million animals in Serengeti National Park, which many visit Tanzania to get to see with game drives in the Serengeti. The Seronera area, which has the Seronera River, never disappoints in terms of game viewing throughout the year.
Reach out to us to help you curate an unforgettable Serengeti safari package anytime of the year so that you can explore the sheer beauty of the endless plains of the park, dotted with acacia trees and kopjes and teeming with many animals, including lion prides and so much more.
