Wildebeest

It is only during the February safari that we visit the Lake Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti. That visit is one of many reasons why I love to be in Tanzania this special time of year. I’ve only been twice now to Lake Ndutu, but it has become a favorite spot for me, and as I review my pictures from this last trip, I love this area most for the photographic opportunities.

 

Wildebeest, also called gnu, are part of the antelope species of mammals and are native to eastern and southern Africa. They belong to the family Bovidae, which includes true antelopes, cattle, goats, sheep, and other even-toed horned ungulates.

 

In East Africa, the blue wildebeest is the most abundant big-game species and is a huge part of the annual migration of over 600 miles through The Serengeti. Wildebeest often graze in mixed herds with zebra, which gives heightened awareness of potential predators. They are also alert to the warning signals emitted by other animals such as baboons.

 

By the end of February millions of wildebeest are enjoying the short grasses of the southern Serengeti and giving birth to their young. Many of them are settling down for a time in the Lake Ndutu area, so we are able to enjoy them there. On several occasions, we have been immersed in herds where you can look in all four directions (for miles) and not see the end of the wildebeest herd. The sounds of these animals grunting and moaning can be deafening!