Wildlife in Serengeti national park
Wildlife in Serengeti national park Tanzania is part of the attractions that tourists can see during their tours around the destination. Serengeti national park is found in the northern part of Tanzania and is a famous safari destination.
Serengeti national park is home to numerous wildlife species including predators which can be seen in big numbers during a safari around the destination. The wildebeest migration can also be seen during tours around Serengeti national park.
The wildlife species which are found in the different parts of Serengeti national park include elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, hyenas, warthogs, elands, kudu, hartebeests, waterbucks, impalas, gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, jackals among others. The national park is said to have over 35 different species of wildlife which can be seen when exploring the vast plains of Serengeti national park during safaris.
Predators in Serengeti national park can be seen in big numbers which has over 4,000 lions. Other predators like cheetahs, jackals, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas among others can also be seen during tours around Serengeti national park. The best time to see the predators during safaris around Serengeti national park is during the calving season around December, January, February and March around the southern part of the national park.
The diversity of wildlife species found in Serengeti national park is among the many reasons why tourists visit this national park during their tours in Tanzania. The endless plains of Serengeti national park which make part of the scenery can also be explored during the search for the wildlife species.
Serengeti national park is made up of acacia woodlands, rock outcrops and also riverine forests and the park covers about 14,750 square kilometres. The park is also among the oldest national parks of Tanzania.
The different regions in Serengeti national park where wildlife viewing is carried out during safaris in Tanzania include the following;
- Ndutu area or southern part of Serengeti national park
The Ndutu area is part of Ngorongoro conservation area and the southern part of southern part of Serengeti national park.
Wildlife viewing around the Ndutu area takes place throughout the year and some of the wildlife species which can be seen around this part of Serengeti national park include predators like cheetahs, lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, caracals among others.
The calving season during the wildebeest migration also takes place around this part of Serengeti national park during the months of December to March. Wildebeest calves are born during this time of the year and over 8000 calves are born daily around the grass plains of Ndutu.
- Seronera area or the central part of Serengeti national park
Another part of Serengeti national park which is known for wildlife viewing is the Seronera area which is in the central part of the national park.
This part of Serengeti national park is also home to a variety of wildlife species including big numbers of predators. Seronera is also a popular part of Serengeti national park which is visited by many tourists as they search for wildlife species during safaris.
The best months for wildlife viewing in the central part of Serengeti national park is during the months of April, May and June when the wildebeest herds can be seen around the endless savannah plains of the national park.
The big cats such as lions, leopards and cheetahs can also be seen around the central parts of Serengeti national park. Other wildlife species found in the central part of Serengeti national park include elephants, buffalos, topi, hippos, impalas and many others.
Rock outcrops which are referred to as kopjes also make up the scenery in the central part of Serengeti national park and predators like lions can be spotted around these areas during safaris.
- Western Serengeti
Wildlife safaris in Serengeti national park are also carried out in the western parts of the national park.
The Grumeti reserve is found close to this part of the national park and it is made up of woodlands, rivers and hills. Lions and leopards are among the wildlife species found in the western parts of Serengeti national park.
In the months of June to July the wildebeest migration crosses in this part of Serengeti national park and river crossings take place along the Grumeti river. Wildlife safaris in Serengeti national park are best done in the western part of Serengeti during the months of June to July which is also a good time for wildlife viewing around Tanzania.
- Northern Serengeti
The northern part of Serengeti national park is a remote part of the national park and it is located close to the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.
Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, topi, elands, hippos are among the wildlife species found in the northern part of Serengeti national park. The months of June, July, August are good for a safari around the northern part of Serengeti national park.
River crossings along the Mara river also take place in the northern part of Serengeti national park. This river crossing is more famous and many tourists engage in safaris to Serengeti national park for a chance to watch as over 2 million wildebeests cross the Mara river to the Kenyan side.
Best time for wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park
Wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park is best done in the dry season from June to October when wildlife species can be seen around water sources in the park and the weather is also favourable for safaris.
Even in the rainy season wildlife viewing can be carried out around Serengeti national park. the rainy season takes place during the months of March, April, May and also in November which are also referred to as the low season.
Activities to do during wildlife viewing around Serengeti national park include game drives which are done in the morning, afternoon or evening, walking safaris, hot air balloon safaris and also bird watching,
Visit Serengeti national park and enjoy wildlife viewing during different months of the year during a Tanzania safari.
