Grumeti

Grumeti’s status as a private reserve means that visitor numbers can be limited, which ensures fewer crowds than commonly found in the various national parks. Guests can therefore enjoy uninterrupted wildlife viewing. Grumeti Game Reserve includes access to the Ikorongo and Grumeti Controlled Areas, which are other private concessions near Serengeti National Park.

Being a private reserve also means that Grumeti can offer experiences not permitted in the national parks, including walking safaris, night drives, and off-road exploration. Tracking animals on foot or observing nocturnal species after sunset allows for a more intimate interaction with the environment. The combination of limited visitor numbers and a broader range of activities creates a safari experience that is both exclusive and immersive, setting Grumeti apart as a distinctive destination in Tanzania.

Particular lodges within Grumeti Game Reserve offer a unique safari option with its Equestrian Safaris, allowing guests to explore the Serengeti on horseback. This experience lets riders travel through the reserve’s diverse landscapes, including plains, woodlands, and riverbanks, in a natural and less intrusive way. Being on horseback often enables closer encounters with wildlife like zebras, giraffes, and antelopes, as animals are less alarmed by horses than by vehicles. This approach provides a more direct connection to the environment, allowing guests to quietly observe the area’s rich wildlife.

These horseback safaris are intended for experienced riders and can range from single-day rides to multi-day trips. Professional guides lead small groups, ensuring safety and sharing knowledge about the animals and terrain encountered. Accommodations during these journeys may include mobile camps set up in scenic locations, adding to the sense of adventure. This type of safari is rare in Tanzania, making Grumeti one of the few places where guests can participate in horseback exploration, adding a distinctive element to the traditional safari experience.

Through the Grumeti Fund, the reserve invests heavily in conservation efforts, with one of its greatest successes being its Black Rhino Reestablishment program. After the Eastern black rhino population had been eliminated from the area due to heavy poaching, the reserve worked to reintroduce the species, starting with an 8-year-old male named Eric who arrived in 2018 to join a female named Laikipia who was already there.

Since then, the project has seen the largest ever translocation of rhinos into Tanzania, with a group arriving from South Africa. These relocated rhinos now make up 10% of all Eastern black rhinos in Tanzania. The genetic potential of these five females and four males is highly significant.