Grumeti Game Reserve, Game reserve next to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Grumeti Game Reserve is a protected wildlife area in northwestern Tanzania, bordering Serengeti National Park and forming part of the same ecosystem. It covers open savanna grasslands, patches of woodland, and the Grumeti River, which cuts across the territory from west to east.
The reserve was established by the Tanzanian government in 1994 to protect the annual route followed by migrating wildebeest. Over the following decades, conservation programs removed invasive species and reintroduced native wildlife that had disappeared from the area.
The name of the reserve comes from the Grumeti River, which flows through the area and acts as a vital water source for many animals. Along its banks, Nile crocodiles wait for the passing wildebeest, making the river crossing one of the most watched moments of the migration season.
The best time to visit is from late June through October, when the migration passes through and drier conditions make wildlife easier to spot. The reserve is generally closed during April and May, so it is worth checking before planning your trip.
The reserve is home to one of Tanzania's largest populations of western chimpanzees, living in the forest areas along the river, yet they go unnoticed by most visitors focused on the migration. Early morning drives through the wooded sections of the reserve offer the best chance of hearing their calls.
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