Kogatende  plains in Serengeti National Park

In the Northern section of Serengeti National Park lies the Kogatende area, a vast untouched plain with savanna patches dotted with acacia and enlarged granite rocks.

Kogatende is an area that provides witness to the thunderous hooves of wildebeest and zebras as they journey across the Mara River, usually between July and mid-November. This substantial Mara river crossing draws the attention of many wildlife enthusiasts from various parts of the world. The area does not only offer the great migration but is also home to wild creatures, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and many bird species.

Activities in the Kogatende area

The great migration across Mara River

This spectacular experience takes place between July and October.   During this time, thousands of wildebeests, antelopes, and zebras cross the Mara River from Tanzania to Kenya.  The jaws and claws of several predators are also awaiting to catch their prey.  The greatest challenge is that some parts of the river are infested with crocodiles and if the wildebeests cross in the wrong area, they are at risk of drowning which leads to the death of many of them. This migration is so interesting that travelers can spend the whole day watching the animals grazing or calving.

Game drives

This is a popular activity in the Kogatende area of Serengeti National Park. tourists enjoy seeing the animals through game drives in the vast plains and riverbanks in the area.

Game drives are often conducted in the morning and evening hours. Morning game drives are designed to start so early for tourists to catch sight of nocturnal  moving back to their dens and caves. At times night game drives are conducted with prior permission from the park authorities and must be supervised by armed game ranger guides. For one to see at least 80 % of the animal population in the park, they should go in for a full-day game drive. Some of the animals that can be seen are zebras, gazelles,  elephants, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, hippos, wild dogs, leopards, buffaloes, and many others

Guided nature walks

Tourists who intend to explore the park area on foot, engage in guided walking safaris that do not follow specific tracks. On search walks, they must be accompanied by armed rangers and experienced guides who provide you with more information about the different fauna and flora species in the area. On search treks, you will luckily spot birds, reptiles, and rare plant species.

Bird watching

Kogatende area is another birding destination found in Serengeti National Park. visitors to the area can luckily spot birds like the African fish eagle, secretary bird, grey-headed sparrow, red-backed scrub, , rufous tailed weaver, white-bellied go-away bird, sunbird, tockus,  African ostrich, Vultures, black-headed heron Kori bustard, and many others.  Some of these birds are permanent residents of the park while others are endemic, and others are migratory.

Hot air balloon safaris

This is a way of exploring the Kogatende area from a unique perspective. This experience exposes you to an aerial view of the park as you watch the different wildlife creatures in thousands of feet above the ground. Hot air balloon experiences always start in the early morning before sunrise and end with a champagne breakfast in the African wilderness. Hot air balloons often take 12 to 15 people, so amazing and memorable.

Bush meals and sundowners

Some luxury accommodations in the Kogatende area offer bush meals or sundowners to their guests. This activity usually comes after a classic game drive. Guests are provided with an ice-cold gin, tonic, or a favourite cocktail as they enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Sundowners can also be organized by guides before starting the game drives. Guides usually pack drinks fruits and snacks in cooler boxes. After the game drive, you will assemble in a perfect spot, display your drinks, and enjoy the evening.

 Photography

It’s indeed lively to capture photos on your trip. This helps you to keep memories for the future, family, and friends. Game drives and birding safaris offer the best opportunities for photography of the wildebeest migration as you traverse through the savannah plains and cross the Mara River. As you traverse the park. you may luckily take photos of the famous Big Five and other creatures in the wilderness.

The best time to  visit the Kogatende  area

The months between  June and November are the most conducive periods for visiting the Kogatende area in  Serengeti National Park. It’s usually the peak season for witnessing the dramatic wildebeest migration across Mara River. June to September is the peak for an African safari.

This imply the cost will be slightly higher and you will be required to do your booking a little higher but the period comes with heavy movement of wildebeest and other animals.

Between October and November, it is still a perfect time to visit Kogatende area, the area is still populated with different animals but the movement are limited so you wont be able to enjoy the migration.

How to  access the Kogatende area in Serengeti

The means of transport you choose when planning your trip to Kogatende area depends on your budget and travel time.  tourists can use different means to get to this place, and these are: by air,  road, or a combination of the two.

Several chartered or scheduled flights connect from within Tanzania to Kogatende airstrip, that is from Arusha, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam.  Flights are so fast that on landing you can transfer to your hotel and then move to the park for a game drive. Flights are most convenient for travelers already in Tanzania.

When using the road, transfer from Arusha in a 4×4 vehicle on a journey that takes 9-12 hours depending on the road conditions. It is approximately 450 kilometers from Arusha city.  This voyage takes more hours but exposes you to scenic views of  Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

Alternatively,  you may decide to combine the two means of transport on your safari arrive in Kogatende  by flight from  Arusha, and travel by road back to  Arusha on the last day of your safari.

Using these  means of transport, you will  safely arrive in the Kogatende area and enjoy several natural  wonders of Serengeti National Park

Popular Serengeti vacation safari packages

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