The Western Corridor, or Serengeti west, is a stretch of land following the course of the Grumeti River from Serengeti Central for about 100 kilometers out towards Lake Victoria.

A pair of rivers, the Grumeti River and Mbalageti River, is the dominant geographic feature of the Western Corridor. These rivers run more or less parallel in a westerly direction, about 20 kilometers apart from each other.

About the Serengeti Western Corridor

Both the Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers support substantial chunks of riverine forests before emptying into Lake Victoria. Also, a few minor mountain ranges are found in the area. The Western Corridor is an aesthetically pleasing portion of the park and supports a sizeable spectrum of resident wildlife throughout the year.

The busiest period in terms of visitors is the May-July period which coincides with the Great Migration passing through the Western Corridor on their trek to the north. While the crossing of the Grumeti River may be lesser known compared to its northern counterpart, the crossing of the Mara River, but offers sightings just as exhilarating with the added benefit of fewer fellow visitors at the crossings. The Grumeti River is the first enormous obstacle for the herds to tackle.

The narrow stretch of land comprising the Western Corridor is flatter than the more northerly parts of Serengeti National Park. It is moister and more densely vegetated than the southern plains. The characteristic vegetation of the Western Corridor is park like woodland, dotted with areas of open grassland and dense stands of the whistling thorn (Vachellia drepanolobium).

Wildlife viewing in the Serengeti  Western Corridor

Wildlife viewing in the Western Corridor is consistent throughout the year. The broken savannah south of the Grumeti River supports substantial resident populations of giraffe, wildebeest, elephant, zebra and other typical plains animals, and lion. The little-visited open grasslands north of the river are good for cheetahs. Serengeti balloon safaris are offered during the Great Migration season (from the beginning of June to the end of October).

Grumeti Game Reserve, next to Serengeti National Park, is an integral part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem.

The Tanzanian government created the reserve in 1994 to protect the annual wildebeest migration route. The right to manage and conserve the 350,000 acres comprising Grumeti was granted to the Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund (now known as Grumeti Fund) in 2002. This for the benefit of conservation in this area of the Serengeti.

About Grumeti

In the remote western reaches of the Serengeti, there are only a few lodges here, and one seldom sees other safari vehicles. As Grumeti is in a remote and beautiful corner of Serengeti National Park, it perhaps is one of its best-kept secrets. Because of its remoteness, it makes for an exceptional game viewing experience with the feeling of the exclusivity. The number of visitors in Grumeti is limited to around sixty guests in only a few small Serengeti luxury camps, this is a prime quality area devoid of tourist crowds. Looking for a private experience without the crowds? Grumeti allows you to experience a private Serengeti.

Grumeti is known for its large lion prides comprising between 20 and up to 60 individuals. The opportunities for seeing lions in Grumeti are outstanding; this is also the place where you can enjoy a sighting alone.

Walking safaris & night drives in Serengeti

Only a few places in Serengeti National offer walking safaris, which makes this option in Grumeti Game Reserve a special treat. You can spend hours on foot in the bush with your guide, learning about birds and insects and tracking animals, but also discover cultural and medicinal uses for indigenous plants. Being outside Serengeti National Park boundaries means that your guide is not bound by park regulations and has much greater freedom to operate a wide range of safari activities. Vehicle safaris can be operated by during the day but also at night; and the opportunity to drive off-road guaranteed making the most of special sight

Game viewing is good throughout the year. The broken savannah south of the Grumeti River supports resident populations of giraffe, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, and lion. The little-visited vistas of open grassland north of the Grumeti River are especially good for cheetah sightings.

Riverine forest along the river harbors a few troops of the beautiful black and-white colobus monkey, the area is also home to plenty of hippos, crocodiles and birds.

Lesser known than the crossing of the Mara River, is the crossing of the Grumeti River, usually in late June or early July: it is one of the most dramatic sequences in the annual Great Migration, and a feast for the population of outsized crocodiles.

When is the best time to visit Serengeti Grumeti River?

The best time to visit the Serengeti  Grumeti  River is from May to September. For river crossings, plan for May to June. 

To avoid any of the lingering rains towards the end of the rainy season, aim for mid to late May if you want to see a river crossing. The rains are often heavy and sudden, which can result in activities being cancelled last minute. 

However, if you want a more secluded safari experience, the Serengeti  western corridor is great for game viewing until September.