Wildebeest migration and Zanzibar safari
Wildebeest migration and Zanzibar safari
Wildebeest migration and Zanzibar safari : The wildebeest migration is an annual movement of over 2 million wildebeests across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. This migration takes place annually around destinations like Serengeti national park.
The northern part of Tanzania is known for wildlife safaris across destinations such as Serengeti national park where the wildebeest migration takes place. Other destinations in the northern part of the country include Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park and also the Ngorongoro conservation area.
Zanzibar is a tropical island off the East African coast which is located in the Indian Ocean. The beautiful white sand beaches of the island and the winding alleyways of stone town and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean are part of the experience during a holiday in Zanzibar.
How long a safari including the wildebeest migration and Zanzibar safari can take depends on the activities which an individual wishes to engage in on the island and how many days you would like to stay in the wild seeing the herds of wildebeests.
Safaris which involve the wildebeest migration of Serengeti national park can take about 3 days or more depending on where the migration is taking place at a specific time of the year. You can however spend as much time as you need and depending on your budget for the safari you can explore different parts of the national park and also follow the wildebeest herds as they graze around the savannah plains.
A Zanzibar safari also can be for as long as 2 days or more as there are some travellers who have limited time to spend on a vacation. However more than a day is recommended for a tour around the sites of Zanzibar island such as the beaches, the ancient stone town, Prison island, the old slave market, the Jozani forest national park among other sites.
You can also combine a trip to both Zanzibar island and a safari to Serengeti national park where you can experience the wildebeest migration. There are flights which can be got from Serengeti national park to Zanzibar island which are offered by different local airlines.
Flights from Arusha to Zanzibar island can also be got after experiencing the wildebeest migration of Serengeti national park. After a wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park, you can get a flight from the airstrips found in different parts of the national park such as Seronera airstrip, Kogatende airstrip among others.
Serengeti national park can be accessed by both driving and flights. If you are interested in a safari around the northern part of Tanzania, you can fly to Kilimanjaro international airport which is about 7 hours’ drive to Serengeti national park where you can enjoy seeing the wildebeest migration while on a safari around the endless savannah plains.
Another way to get to Zanzibar island after a wildlife safari in national parks of Tanzania is by taking a ferry from Dar es Salaam. These ferries operate daily and it takes about 2 hours to get to the island.
The currency which is used during a wildebeest migration safari and also Zanzibar island is US dollars for foreigners especially when booking lodges, paying park fees and can also be used when giving tips. Tanzania shillings (Tshs) are also used for transactions around Tanzania and it is recommended to have some loose bills in the local currency during a tour.
Other expenses which can be incurred during a wildebeest migration safari in Serengeti national park include park entrance fees which are paid by nonresidents, residents and East Africans/citizens.
Another location in Tanzania where the wildebeest migration can be seen during a safari is around the Ndutu area when the wildebeest herds roam around the short grass plains during the months of December to March. There are also other wildlife species around the Ndutu plains such as cheetahs, lions, elephants and many others. This time of the year when over 8000 calves are born daily is referred to as the calving season.
The wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park can be seen during the months of June, July, and August. The river crossings during the wildebeest migration can be seen around the Grumeti river and the Mara river.
Around April and May the wildebeest herds can be seen around the central part of Serengeti national park. The best time for a wildlife safari in Tanzania is during the dry season from June to October when various wildlife species can be spotted.
The dry season is also a good time to visit Zanzibar island and enjoy engaging in various activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, boat rides among others. At any month of the year, tours can be carried out in both Serengeti national park and Zanzibar island.
The wildebeest migration can also be seen in Kenya in Masai Mara national reserve around September, October and November before the herds of wildebeest herds return to Tanzania. The movement of the wildebeests follows a clockwise direction although it can be unpredictable sometimes.
Some of the sites to visit around Zanzibar island include Stone town, Changuu island also known as Prison island where you can see the giant tortoises. Some of the beaches of Zanzibar include Nungwi, Jambiani, Paje, Bwejuu, Matemwe, Kizimkazi and many other sites which can be explored in different ways including cycling, driving or boat tours.
Different types of travelers visit Zanzibar island to enjoy relaxing at the white sand beaches and also enjoy the views of the Indian ocean and also experience the marine life of Zanzibar and the diverse culture of the locals around the island.
Zanzibar island is also famous for its spice tours which have been grown for centuries on the island. These spices are grown on spice farms that are found on the island which can also be toured during a holiday on the island. The spices include vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, chili, black pepper among others.
Visit Tanzania for a memorable wildebeest migration safari and also book a holiday to Zanzibar island with us and enjoy relaxing along the beaches.
