Exceptional African wildlife: Grumeti is set in the remote western corridor of the Serengeti, boasting five distinct habitats, which are home to an astounding year-round concentration of animals.
- Resident lion prides and spotted hyena clans
- Spectacular congregations of migratory wildebeest (typically between June and July) which risk their lives crossing the Grumeti River
- Good cheetah viewing
- Gigantic Nile crocodile in Grumeti River
- Resident pods of hippo in front of the camp
- Superb birdwatching, including some Lake Victoria ‘specials’
- Splendid black-and-white Colobus monkeys
- Resident populations of buffalo, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle
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Grumeti Habitats:
Grumeti’s open woodland savanna is dominated by acacia and desert date trees. Grassland savanna consists of nutritious grasses which support resident herbivore populations. Bush-clump thickets of grewia, gardenia and cordia shrubs are hiding places for smaller mammals and feeding sites for birds. The level of the Grumeti River fluctuates greatly, sometimes spilling its banks, sometimes reduced to just a few pools. A large, almost permanent pool opposite the camp supports aquatic plants and birds, as well as large pods of hippo. Tamarind, river litchi and albizia trees are found in the riverine forest. |
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Mammals at Grumeti:
Unlike other parts of the Serengeti, the western corridor has resident populations of large herbivores (elsewhere in the ecosystem, the vast majority of herbivores migrate). High densities of lion and spotted hyena hold territories around Grumeti River Camp. Resident herbivores are joined each season by huge numbers of migratory wildebeest and zebra. Bat-eared fox and serval are among regularly seen smaller carnivores. Family groups of black-and-white Colobus monkeys reside in the riverine forest. Pairs of dainty Kirk’s dik-dik inhabit bush-clump thickets. Handsome yellow-winged bats often roost in and around the camp. |
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Birds at Grumeti:
There are 341 species recorded at Grumeti. Black crake and African jacana dance across water-weeds in front of the camp. Large flocks of gregarious yellow-throated sandgrouse visit waterholes to quench their thirst. Striking black-headed gonolek, slate-coloured boubou and rufous chatterer forage close to camp. Dazzling Fischer’s lovebirds feed alongside grey-capped social weavers and blue-capped cordonbleu in bush clump thickets. Eastern grey plantain-eater, Schalow’s turaco and double-toothed barbet feed on fruiting trees in the riverine forest. Tawny eagle, bateleur and white-headed vultures are among breeding raptors. |
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Other Wildlife:
Massive Nile crocodiles inhabit the waters of the Grumeti River. Colonies of pugnacious cocktail ants live in whistling thorn trees. Several species of iridescent dragonflies hunt on the Kanyanja Pool opposite the camp. |
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| For exciting wildlife sightings, visit CC Africa's entertaining
and informative wildlife website www.wildwatch.com. |
