Serengeti National Park Rivers

Serengeti National Park Rivers are the water catchment areas that are found across the park. These are homes of the hippo life, Nile crocodiles and other aquatic animals. There are 5 rivers that are found at the famous Serengeti national park. Upon the five three are on the boundaries of the park with neighboring protected areas or local communities. The most famous Rivers are the: Mara River, Grumeti river, Naironya River, Nanyuki River, Mbalageti river and the famous Seronera River. All the five rivers are the tributaries from the African largest fresh water lake that is Lake Victoria. The Serengeti national park rivers drain the park and are the source of water for the vast population of wildlife.

Serengeti national park is located in the Northern part of Arusha bordering the famous national Reserve of Kenya that is Masai Mara national reserve in the North, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in the South. It’s a home of all the African Big 5 (Lions, leopards, Buffalo, Elephants, and Rhinos) However historically Serengeti national park did not have Elephants till the early 1900s when the people encroached on the protected areas hence paving way for the Elephants to migrate to Serengeti National park. Serengeti national park rivers are distributed across the park. They are key areas of game viewing in Serengeti National park due to the water presence. Below are the highlighted Serengeti national park rivers.

Seronera river

This is one of the key rivers that drain the central area of Serengeti national park. The Seronera River is 20 miles long. Its found in the most popular sector of Serengeti national park. The central part of Serengeti is named after this river calling the section the Seronera Area. This is the busiest part of the park with the largest and busiest airstrip that services the entire Serengeti national park. The river rine vegetation mixed with the dotted Kopjes has attracted a large number of wildlife especially the big cats those are Lions, leopards, Cheetahs, janet cats, and others.

You cannot talk of Serengeti national park rivers minus mentioning the seronera river. The river has some attachment to some seasonal swamps alongside the deep pools of water sometimes called the hippo pools. Much wildlife action is found along the seronera river like witnessing the lions hunt, leopards swing on the branches of the Acacia trees along the river. The availability of this river has made Seronera area one of the most exciting places to visit during your safari trip to Serengeti national park. The wildlife game can be viewed throughout the year.

Grumeti River

The Grumeti river is located on the Western Corridor of Serengeti, it’s the highlight of the mid-year wildebeest migration. Its regarded as one of the deadliest rivers during the wildebeest migration circle. Seeing the large herds of wildebeest crossing the Grumeti River. The Great wildebeest migration always crosses the Grumeti River around June before they head to the Mara River. The Western corridor is busy during wildebeest crossing in the Grumeti river however much its still less popular compared to the Mara River. It is one of the first tests the wildebeests pass before continuing to the North of Serengeti.

Grumeti River is some of the few places in Serengeti where guests are allowed walking safaris. Spending a few hours on foot as you explore the best of African game park is awesome. Their guides that escort you to the bush for the best game viewing. Good timing is the best if you want to see the best wildlife action from the Grumeti river.

Mara River

The Mara River is one of the Serengeti national park rivers, found in the Northern part bordering Masai mara national Reserve and Serengeti national park. It acts as a boundary as well as a great tourist attraction, especially during the wildebeest migration period. The mighty Mara river is the climax of the wildebeest migration that happens around July to August depending on the weather. It hosts a large population of the Nile Crocodiles and hippos. The Mara river services both Serengeti national park as well as neighboring Masai Mara national park.

This river is a venue and focal point of the Wildebeest migration as they see themselves in a situation of surviving for the fittest. The riverbank is covered by the trees that the leopards use as their resting areas and hunting points. While the lions and other predators camp around the river banks waiting for the wildebeests while crossing the river. It also acts as a source of water to the locals as well as wildlife at the park however they are not fishing grounds.

Mbalageti river

This is the most renowned as the nesting grounds for the Martial Eagle. The Mbalageti river is a seasonal river that lies on the 540 square miles of Mbalageti valley. Its found at the thunderous path of the wildebeest migration. The great migration follows this valley when crossing to the Northern side and also when crossing back to the Southern side. The river is seasonal but its water pools remain throughout the year hence inhabiting a large number of hippos. This is among the Serengeti national park rivers where birding is much paramount. It’s a home of large troops of Baboons that inhabit the Hills, woodlands and riverine areas along the river.

Other Serengeti national park rivers include the Nanyuki River and the Naironya River.

The availability of Serengeti national park rivers has attracted a large concentration of animals to the park. The throughout drainage of water has made animal viewing easier as spotting animals along the water catchment areas is very simple. It is our of Serengeti national park rivers that have made guests slogan “Serengeti national park never disappoints” due to all year round animal viewing.