Grumeti River Camp is in the western corridor of the magnificent Serengeti National Park in a corner dominated by acacia woodlands, grassy plains and riverine forest. The camp lies on the edge of a permanent oxbow pan formed by an overflow of the Grumeti River. Supporting lush riverine forest, the Grumeti River provides a sharp contrast to the surrounding plains.

The Grumeti River begins in the eastern Serengeti near CC Africa's Klein's Camp and heads west, finally spilling into the great expanse of Lake Victoria. The river is broadest in the western corridor, where Grumeti River Camp is located. The riverine forest lining the banks is most dense in this corridor.

Grumeti camp lies in the path of the famous annual great migration of zebra and wildebeest on their migratory route to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. The migration passes by the camp during the months of May to July every year.

Animals in the Grumeti area include lion, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, baboon, cheetah and Maasai giraffe. The pan on the edge of the camp is home to pods of grunting hippo. These amphibians float lazily on the surface by day and after dark move onto the grassy plains to feed. Some of the largest hippos in the world are found in these waters. The area also boasts one of the highest densities of cheetah in Africa

Mammals such as the black-and-white colobus monkey are confined to the forested sliver of the Serengeti lining the Grumeti River.

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Giraffe
Buffalo
Hippo
Zebra

Birds are abundant around the camp, drawn to the multiple attractions of tall trees, prolific insects and drinking water. Interesting birds to look out for are Black-headed Gonolek, Rufous Chatterer, African Mourning Dove, Paradise Flycatcher, White-browed Coucal, African Golden Oriole, Spotted Morning Thrush, Slate-coloured Boubou and the dazzling Fischer's Lovebird.

The riverine forest lining the Grumeti River banks are most dense in the western corridor. Innumerable birds gather here to feed and nest. Birds including the Eastern Grey Plantain-eater and Swamp Flycatcher - typical of the shores of Lake Victoria - are confined to this forested sliver of the Serengeti.

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The Grumeti River is renowned for its population of mammoth Nile Crocodiles, which prey on the migrating wildebeest and zebra that cross this river each year.

Some common trees around Grumeti River Camp are Falcon's Claw Acacia, Jove's Thunderbolt, Quilt-leaved Grewia, Hook Thorn, Velvet-leaved Ziziphus and Kirk's Acacia. The bark, roots and fruits of certain Serengeti plants have medicinal uses and are turned into healing potions.

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Acacia

The Serengeti's colourful topography of hills, rivers and flood plains provide a year-round habitat for many of the Serengeti's species. The various habitats in the Serengeti are riverine forest, woodland, grassland, marshland and bushland hills. The Serengeti is surrounded by Maasai people, who are pastoralists.

With no fences or man-made barriers, much of the wildlife moves freely to the tune of the seasons through the vastness of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.