• info@greatmigrationcamps.com

The Great Migration: July 2022 Update

Great Migration Update from Tanzania 19 July 2022

As per our great migration predications last month, the river crossings started in the Northern Serengeti in early July. It’s been a cracking start to the great migration crossing season, with the majority of the herds arriving near Makutano.  The early river crossings were at Crossing Points 7 & 7B. As more great migration herds arrived in the second week of July,  the Mara River crossing point shifted west to coincide with the arrivals of the Western Herds.  There were some spectacular great migration river crossings at Numbers 4 and 5. The steep banks and intensive herds, created billowing dust for some impressive crossings. Superb sightings for happy guests who were up early to enjoy Nature’s greatest show. Large herds are now grazing leisurely in Lamai Wedge.

Mara River crossing at No 4 from south to north MIGRATION UPDATE: 16 July 2022

Great Migration Update from Kenya: July 2022

Last week there were some huge crossings of the Sand River into Kenya. The herds that crossed the Mara River are moving slowly and should reach the Mara Triangle soon, they seem to be hanging around Miles Turner Hill and taking a leisurely break.

MIGRATION UPDATE JULY 2022: Huge herds of the Great Migration cross the Sand River into Kenya

Let’s hope it’s a great year for the Maasai Mara and Mara Triangle, where we are monitoring how long they spend in the Maasai Mara and Mara Triangle and how far north they go into the Mara Conservancies this year of 2022 (if at all). Results will be good indicators if the Kenyan conservancy model (where cattle also graze the land), will allow enough grazing for the wildebeest of the great migration, who seem to be competing for the same resources as cattle. Holding thumbs for the great migration to have a longer stay in the Maasai Mara this year.

MIGRATION UPDATE JULY 2022: Serengeti Great migration, Mara River crocodile kill 2022

Great Migration predictions for July and early August 2022.

It is fairly dry up in the Northern Serengeti, with no real rain forecast in the next two weeks. Despite a build up of some moisture from Lake Victoria creating some amazing clouds, there has been no rainfall and very little is predicted. We are hoping for some light showers here and there, to provide short green grass for the wildebeest to eat, otherwise it becomes tough going for the great migration herds. The drier spells accentuate the pressure on the eco-system and limited food becomes obvious when there is no rainfall. We are even noticing that the low water levels of the Mara River this 2022 are making it hard for the crocodiles to feed. 

Until there is big rain in the north to pull them further, we predict smaller crossings back and forth across the Mara River in the next few weeks. There are still some herds arriving from the south, so it’s likely there will be lots of to-and-fro with wildebeest herds on both sides of the Mara River.

Great Migration: News update July 2022

More good news from Kogatende is that the bridge to the Lamai Wedge is now open. Thanks to TANAPA for coordinating the repairs to the bridge across the Mara River for the great migration crossing season. It is wonderful to have road access on both sides of the river, when staying at Great Migration Camps for the great migration river crossing season 2022. 

Visit the Great Migration in 2022

Join us for the world’s largest overland mammal migration as 1.5 million wildebeest, 400,000 zebra, 18,000 eland and 200,000 Thompson’s gazelle move through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. We don’t wait for the herds to come to us, we take you to them – leaving no trace.

Email info@greatmigrationcamps.com to book your seat to the great migration. We still have some availability first week of August & the last two weeks of August, into September. Book soon to avoid disappointment. The show must go on.

Serengeti Zebra Migration

The Serengeti Zebra Migration

The Great Migration encompasses a circular, seasonal movement of wildebeest, zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles and eland in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem.  The annual migration of the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) covers the entire range of the Greater Serengeti ecosystem, a round-trip that exceeds the straight-line distance of 650 km.  Data from GPS collars suggest that the true distance covered is over 1500 km.  The wildebeest migration is constantly moving, with females having an average daily movement of 4.5 km. The Serengeti zebra migration moves with them.

Animals of the Great Migration

Among the 2 million animals of the great migration, around 300,000 of these animals are zebras.  A symbiotic relationship exists between the zebras and wildebeest of the Serengeti.  The main reason they stick together is for safety.

The Serengeti Migration: Zebra and Wildebeest

  • Together they have a strong “alarm” system, and the massive size of their accumulated herds reduces the chance of any single individual being targeted by a predator.  The wildebeest uses its superior sense of sound and smell to stay wary of predators, while the zebra uses its excellent eyesight to scan for threats.
  • Zebras and wildebeest don’t compete for food, either.  Wildebeest are fussy eaters; they are selective grazers and only feed upon the shorter parts of the grass. Luckily for them, zebras are bulk grazers – cropping the grass (like a lawnmower) and making it palatable for the wildebeest to consume.
  • Zebras have a great memory which helps them recall safe migration routes, which comes in handy for directing the sometimes-aimless wildebeests.  The wildebeest’s fantastic sense of smell can detect water even in dry times, an advantage for the zebra.
  • Both species like a more plain open grassy areas though this makes them more vulnerable and that is why they need the safety in numbers (advantage) from predators.

Serengeti Zebra Migration
Serengeti Zebra Migration

The Serengeti Zebra Migration

Join Great Migration Camps or follow us, as we follow the Great Wildebeest Migration through the Serengeti on their journey from the southern plains to the Mara River and back.  We follow the wildebeest, zebra , eland and Thomson’s gazelle through the Mara-Serengeti Eco-system.

We have mixed availability in Kogatende area for the River Crossing Season 2022.  Book early  for the great migration by emailing info@greatmigrationcamps.com to avoid disappointment. #Conservationthroughtourism

Entries OPEN for Serengeti Video of the Year 2022

2022 Serengeti Video of the Year Entries are open.

The video of the year competition runs from 1 June until 30 May every year in the Serengeti. Share your best nature and wildlife videos from the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania and stand a chance to win $1,000 in cash or Serengeti bed nights at Great Migration Camps.  These videos capture incredible moments from the Serengeti National Park, videos that many of our viewers would never otherwise see, in a place they may only dream of visiting – the iconic Serengeti.

The Serengeti National Park is home to the Great Wildebeest Migration, & as these videos represent, home to many more beasts in the wild as well! These wildlife videos capture the spirit of the Serengeti.  Submit your Entry for Serengeti Video of the Year and stand a chance to win in 2022. Thanks to Conservation Through Tourism for the project & to Serengeti Show Live for bringing wildlife video to mainstream social media.

Winner of Serengeti Video of the Year 2021

The winning video is by popular view. It comes as no surprise that the winning videos have been captured by first class wildlife safari guides, who work in the Serengeti.  Wildlife footage & videos are challenging to capture as wild animals are unpredictable. Wildlife doesn’t take model direction in the bush and you can’t force wildlife to do what you want to get your shot. You CAN do your best to anticipate their movements, so guide knowledge, vehicle positioning and a lot of time and patience are the secrets to the success of the winning Serengeti videos.
See the Top 3 Serengeti of the Year Videos of the 2021 season in the blog below.

Congratulations to Michael Thomas.
His video of life on the plains and the difference in feeding patterns between lion and hyena is the 2021 WINNER of Serengeti Video of the Year.  Congratulations to the  our highly mentioned videos – match watch scenes from the Serengeti.  Click the image below to watch Serengeti Video of the Year 2021. 

Serengeti Video of the Year
WINNER: Michael Thomas

Guidelines to enter Serengeti Video of the Year 2022

  • Footage should be taken in the Serengeti National Park in 2022.
  • All footage used in your video must be your own.
  • You need to submit your entry via Whatsapp so the length should be between 10 seconds and 3 minutes.
  • Video quality is not a barrier to entry, however stable videos in 1080 p tend to fare better.  It’s the content that counts.
  • There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit.
  • There is no charge to submit an entry.
  • By submitting your video, you agree to being published.
  • The best entries each are showcased on social media monthly.

Serengeti Video of the Year
HONOURABLE MENTION: George D’Souza

How to enter Serengeti Video of the Year 2022

  • Send your wildlife video captured in the Serengeti via Whatsapp to +255759756 814
  • Give us your name & where & when you filmed the subject.
  • Sharing your social media handles make it a little easier for us for us to tag you.
  • We suggest you like our pages to view amazing wildlife video content & updates from the bush.

Serengeti Video of the Year 2022 Prizes

  • Winning video gets US$1,000 in cash
  • OR an 3-night safari for two people at Great Migration Camps
    (*T’s & C’s apply. Excludes Park Fees, Transfers, Domestic Flights)

Serengeti Video of the year
HONOURABLE MENTION: GMC footage

Ethical Wildlife Videography

  • The welfare of the animal is more important than any video.
  • We should always be conscious of our actions in the field and the potential impact on wildlife & habitat.
  • Only  moving footage of natural occurrences in the Serengeti National Park will be considered.

Wildlife videography can be a double-edged sword.

  • Incredible wildlife videos can be the best allies for the conservation and preservation of wild landscapes and animals.
  • Conversely altering animal behaviors (e.g., chasing or baiting) to get an iconic video may have serious consequences for the dynamics of the ecosystem, or the animals individual risk.

We encourage truth in captioning. In today’s highly digitized world, geolocation data, pulled from publicly shared image files can be used illicitly.  Do be mindful of endangered species.

Photographic and Videography Serengeti Safaris

Get in touch, on info@conservationthroughtourism.com and join us in the Serengeti with your camera.