Grumeti Game Reserve safaris Tanzania

Grumeti Game Reserve Tanzania

Grumeti Game Reserve is located next to Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park. It covers over 140,000 hectares!

Grumeti forms an important part of the ecosystem encompassing the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This region is the location of the Great Migration, and home to a thrilling range of predators and herbivores.

Location

Kilimanjaro International Airport is the starting point for trips to Grumeti. Travellers can opt to stay overnight in Arusha and catch a scheduled flight the following morning, or charter a private plane to the reserve’s airstrip. The journey to Grumeti takes approximately 50 minutes.

History of the Grumeti Game Reserve

Grumeti was named a game reserve in 1994. The Tanzanian government bestowed this status on the area to preserve its migration route and to protect its impressive diversity of species. Another significant date is 2002, when the not-for-profit organisation Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund acquired the right to manage the area. Fast forward another four years, and management rights of Grumeti were transferred to luxury safari company Singita. In fact, Singita owns and operates the flagship property of the reserve, the opulent Sasakwa Lodge.

The big five & other wildlife of Grumeti Game Reserve

Grumeti is well worth considering as a safari destination. The spectacular Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles passes through in May and June. These huge herds attract all the big cats – lion, leopard, and cheetah – and the Grumeti river certainly sees its fair share of bloody encounters thanks to the resident crocodiles! All the properties in the reserve have a great team of guides available, so you are guaranteed fantastic sightings of all the wildlife.

Even outside the Great Migration months, we really rate Grumeti. All Big Five are in residence here! As far as predators are concerned, you can look out for cheetah, hyenas, jackals, wild dog, serval, and caracal. The herbivore count includes wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, eland, kudus, bushbuck, waterbuck, and a fine assortment of antelopes overall.

The birdlife of Grumeti is also pretty amazing. From raptors to waterbirds, songbirds to owls, there is no shortage of feathery friends here! Avocets, bee-eaters, canaries, doves… bring your binocs and see if you can find a bird for every letter of the alphabet. And don’t forget your camera too!

Activities in Grumeti

Unsurprisingly, activities in this wildlife-rich reserve focus on wildlife viewing, through game drives and walking safaris. However, at some properties you can also enjoy community visits. Other experiences on offer include anti-poaching observation post visits, archery, and a range of things to do for children – such as nature walks, arts and crafts, baking with lodge chefs, and frogging! There really is a lot to do.