Serengeti National Park
ICONIC WILDLIFE HAVEN HOME TO THE GREAT MIGRATION
Serengeti National Park Overview
Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s leading destinations, most popular for tourists to experience the Great Migration. The park is endowed with a unique ecosystem and drives its name from the Maasai word “Siringet” meaning the place the land runs on forever.
Serengeti was gazetted as a National Park in 1952 making it one of Africa’s oldest parks. Oscar Baumann was the 1st American to visit Serengeti in 1892 and later, Steward Edward White toured the Northern circuit of the park in 1913. Initially, the area was created as a Game Reserve in 1921 and it covered an area of 800 acres.
By 1951, Serengeti’s management was run by the British colonial administration. The Serengeti National Park spans a land area of 14763 sq.km and bordering it is the Ngorongoro Crater in the South and Masai Mara National Reserve to the North.
Geographical Location
Serengeti National Park is situated in the far Northern safari circuit of Tanzania. The Northern circuit is also composed of premier destinations such as Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park. From Arusha city to the Serengeti is approximately 7-hour drive.
Things to see in Serengeti National Park
Different mammals
Serengeti National Park, a designated World Heritage Site prides itself on a huge profusion of wildlife. It accounts for more than 2 million ungulates, leopards, cheetahs, African elephants, cape buffaloes, rhinos, Janet cats, elands, gazelles, jackals, Oryx, greater Kudus, dik-dik, and others.
Bird species
Over 500 species of birds are also inhabited in the Serengeti National Park. On a birding excursion, the birds to look for include resident and endemic species. They include the rufous-tailed weaver birds, grey-crested helmet-shrike, grey-breasted spur fowl, Fischer’s lovebirds, Jackson’s golden-backed weaver birds, Southern ground hornbill, red-capped robin chat, secretary birds, silver bird, Verreaux’s eagles, Kori bustards, Yellow-throated sand grouse, pelicans, African finfoot, black-headed gonoleks, Ruppell’s vultures, lilac-breasted rollers, green-backed woodpeckers, Hildebrandt’s starling, cormorants, and Schawlow’s turacos.
The Wildebeest Migration
The big five game excursion in Serengeti National Park is never complete without the great migration. The park offers a perfect spot for tourists to observe millions of wildebeests as they move crossing to the Masai Mara. During the migration, wildebeest covers a distance of 800km crossing over to the Masai Mara via the Mara River.
The Southern migration path covers the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) while birthing begins from January to March. When the dry season begins, the wildebeest begins moving together with 1000s of grazers including zebras, and gazelles, heading towards the North and crossover to the Masai Mara. From April to May, they return westwards and huge concentrations of them can be seen crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers amidst the lurking crocodiles.
Moru Kopjes
Moru Kopjes is an ideal spot to locate black rhinos on a wildlife tour in Serengeti National Park. The area features dotted rocky plants and is also known to protect large prides of lions. The Moru Kopjes are typically volcanic natural features, the old granite rocks exposed as a result of soil erosion.
Things to do in Serengeti National Park
Game drives are among Serengeti National Park safari highlights. To search for your favourite wildlife in a 4×4 drive and expected sights and sounds in this park include African bush elephants, lions, zebras, warthogs, Thomson gazelles, wildebeest, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, leopards, and other mammal species. The park allows you to go for the morning or afternoon guided game or a combined – full-day excursion.
The Great Migration is the park’s iconic attraction and experience. Get a chance to observe over 1.5 million wildebeests move with 1000s of other grazers like elands, plain zebras and gazelles while in search of pasture. The perfect spot to witness the world spectacle is at the Grumeti and Mara River crossing.
About 500 species of birds live in the Serengeti National Park making it a true birder’s haven. A birding expedition in Serengeti is a great chance to look for amazing birds such as Usambiro barbet, grey-breasted spurfowl, Kori bustard, ruppell’s vultures, superb starling, grey-crested helmet-shrike, Southern ground hornbill, black-headed gonoleks, Fischer’s lovebird, Secretary bird, black eagle and more.
A hot air balloon tour is a perfect experience for honeymooners. Embark on balloon excursion and enjoy the thrilling aerial view of Serengeti NP natural endowment from the big mammals to its breathtaking savanna plains. You can go for the morning session which may come with bush breakfast or opt for the afternoon session.
At the surrounding of Serengeti National Park, there exist the Maasai people the cattle keepers with lifestyles similar to that of the Karamojong of Uganda. A cultural visit to the Masai village is a great chance to explore about the locals’ unique traditions, and cultures, and get entertained by the dances and music performances.
When to visit the park
Serengeti National Park is open to holidaymakers on Tanzania safari at all times. But the dry season is the favourite for game viewing and this is from June to July –for the case of wildebeest migration and calving season starts from January to February.
Where to stay
There are several accommodation alternatives to book ranging from budget to luxury.
- The luxury lodging options include Lemala Nanyukie Tented Lodge, Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Singita Mara Camp and Roving Bushtop Camp.
- The midrange accommodation facilities include Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, and Melia Serengeti Lodge, The Great Migration is the park’s iconic attraction and experience. Get a chance to observe over 1.5 million wildebeests move with 1000s of other grazers like elands, plain zebras and gazelles while in search of pasture. The perfect spot to witness the world spectacle is at the Grumeti and Mara River crossing. Serengeti Sopa Lodge and Serengeti Serena Lodge.
Getting there
By road: From Arusha via the Northern safari circuit route to Serengeti 6-7 hours’ drive. By air, set off from Arusha to any of the airstrips around the Southern, Northern, Western and Central part of Serengeti.
