Discover Serengeti National Park
Discover Serengeti National Park “World’s Greatest Wildebeest Migration” : The Serengeti National Park is a vast area in northern Tanzania, covering about 14,763 square kilometers. It spans across the eastern mara region and parts of the northeastern Simiyu Region, featuring more than 1.5 million ha (3.7 million acres) of untouched savanna. The park was established in 1940. The name “Serengeti” is commonly thought to come from a Maasai word Siringet, which means “the place where the land runs on forever” or “endless plains”. However, this specific word isn’t found in Maasai dictionaries. The Park is one of the top listing UNESCO’s World Heritage Site as well as Man and Biosphere Reserve since 1982.
One of the most remarkable things about the Serengeti national park is its incredible annual animal migration. Where over 1.5 million blue wildebeest and 250,000 zebras move together, along with smaller herds of Thomson’s gazelles and elands. Additionally, it hoses the largest population of lions in Africa. However, the park faces serious challenges, including deforestation, an increase in human population, poaching, and ranching activities.
History
In 1930, a large area of 2,286 square kilometers was designated as a game reserve in southern and eastern Serengeti. During the 1930s, the Tanganyika government started creating national parks to protect wildlife according to international wildlife preservation agreements. That same year, Major Richard Hingston, who was in Tanganyika on behalf of the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire (SPFE), suggested making the Serengeti Game Reserve a national park. He wanted to protect its from the threats posed by growing populations and economic development.
The area officially became a national park in 1940. It was given stronger protection in 1948 when the Serengeti National Park Board of Trustees was established to manage it. The government also limited how the local Maasai people could move within the park, and by 1951, the park’s borders were set. In 1959, an area of 8,300 square kilometers was taken from the eastern part of the national park and designated as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This move was meant to support the traditional land use needs of the Maasai. in 1966, the Serengeti Research Institute was founded at Seronera to study the Great Migration of wildlife.
By 1981, the Serengeti National Park spanned 12,950 square kilometers, which was actually less than half of the total Serengeti area. The Serengeti became well-known after Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael created a book and documentary called “Serengeti Shall Not Die” in 1959, which highlighted its beauty and importance.
Climate
The climate of Serengeti National Park is a subtropical, with rain season from November to April and dry season from May to October. The park is located at an altitude between 1,100 and 2,000 meters with annual average rainfall ranging from 900 to 1,000mm
Attractions
Serengeti National Park, a famous World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve has more unique features than any other National Park in Africa. Visitors can witness the incredible Great Migration of Wildebeests, see the Big Five animals and enjoy the highest concentration of Carnivores and Herbivores in one place. The park is also home to rare and endangered species, a variety of unique birds, and stunning landscapes that leave a lasting impression!
The Great Migration
The great wildebeest migration of more than 1.5 million accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and half a million Gazelles as well as Eland with annual pattern seeking fresh grazing and water. Having a chance of encountering these phenomena gives you a life experience from nature. The best time to witness the Great Migration in Serengeti national park is typically between June to October. during these months, the wildebeests and zebras are in the northern part of the park, mowing towards the mara river crossings in Maasai mara, Kenya.
Highest Concentration of Carnivores
The Serengeti is home to the largest number of carnivores, especially the big African cats like lions, leopards, black-backed jackals, African golden wolves, honey badgers, caracals, striped hyenas, servals, banded mongooses, and cheetahs, as well as other large hunters like spotted hyenas. Watching these magnificent predators as they hunt and occasionally clash over their territories can be an unforgettable experience.
Highest Concentration of Herbivores
Serengeti has more than 28 species of herbivores, including buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, elands, hippos, aardvarks, aardwolves, African civets, genets, African wildcats, African striped weasels, and waterbucks. During game viewing, spotting herbivores coloring the endless plains while feeding gives you a thrilling experience!
Diverse Birdlife
With more than 530 species recorded, one quarter being those migrating from other parts of the world, it is apart from an ecologically important bird area and an ideal place for bird lovers! Some of the species commonly seen include the grey-crested helmet-shrike, Hildebrandt’s starling, and Usambiro barbet. You will see several ducks, pheasants, grouse and allies, pigeons and doves, cuckoos, nightjars and allies, rails, gallinules and coots, plovers and lapwings, sandpipers and allies, herons, egrets and bitterns, hawks, eagles and kites, Old World flycatchers, weavers and allies, waxbills and allies, among others.
Cultural and Historical Sites
Serengeti is home to many cultures from famous tribes of Maasai, Sukuma, Kurya, and Ikoma. Indigenous Maasai and Ikoma used to live in parts of the park before they were resettled outside the park. The present signs, which are still visible at the famous Maasai Rock Painting, Gong Rock, and Ikoma ruins, mark a special combination of game viewing and human history.
Tourism Activities
Witnessing the Great Migration
Witnessing the great migration in Serengeti National Park is an unforgettable experience and a key highlight of any safari in the area. This incredible event takes place every year from June to October and involves the movement of more than 1.5 million wildebeests, along with thousands of zebras, as they travel from the southern Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater to the southern region of Masai Mara National Park in Kenya and then return to Serengeti. The migration begins in February or March in South Ndutu, right before the calving season when many young calves are born. During a wildebeest migration tour in the Serengeti, you’ll also get a chance to see other predators like hyenas, cheetahs, and lions who are also looking for food. It’s a stunning and unpredictable display of nature at its best.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Experiencing the thrill of a hot air balloon safari is one of the most exciting activities to do while on a Tanzania safari experience in this park. This activity gives visitors a chance to see the park from a different perspective. Soar high above the ground during a captivating early morning balloon flight and enjoy breathtaking views of the park’s central, west, east, south, and northern parts. It’s a unique way to appreciate the stunning landscapes below! This safari through the Serengeti National Park might last between 50 and 70 minutes. Once you descend, a delicious breakfast awaits you in the wild, making this experience one to remember.
Game drives
This is a major tourist activity in the park. The park boasts of being one of Tanzania’s best game drive destinations. This remarkable activity gives the visitors to the park the opportunity to see animals comfortably from their vehicles. Game drives in this exciting park are done in all sections of the park, but most prominently in the Seronera Valley, with the highest concentration of animals. These game drives in Serengeti National Park can be done in three sessions: morning, afternoon, and evening. You can also do full-day game drives while visiting Serengeti National Park.
Bush meals
Having a meal in the middle of the bush while surrounded by wild animals, the scenery, and the beautiful African sky makes the day truly memorable! The opportunities to offer these meals can be organized from the accommodation facilities where the visitors will reside.
Walking Safaris
The best way to experience nature is on foot. Serengeti offers opportunities for walking safaris in the wilderness, normally accompanied by an armed park ranger. During your walking safari, your guide will lead you to a rich spot where you’ll see reptiles, birds, insects, and other rare plants along the way. This incredible activity is best offered in the eastern and northern parts of the park!
Photography tours
These designated special areas provide a chance for visitors to stretch and see things around them, therefore coming close to nature. Retima Hippo Pool is one example of these where, having spent the long hours in the vehicle, guests will be able to get out of their vehicle and observe hippos on foot!
Accommodation Options:
Serengeti National Park provides various places to stay that cater to different tastes and budgets. Here are some types of accommodations you can find, including Mbali Mail Soroi Serengeti Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Mwiba Lodge, Namiri Plains, Sanctuary Kichakani Camp, Serengeti Bushtops Luxury Tented Camp, Lamai Camp, Singita Faru Bush Tops Camp, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, and Melia Serengeti Lodge, among others.
How to Get There:
To visit Serengeti National Park, many travelers take a flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport to one of the park’s airstrips. If you prefer land travel, you can take a beautiful drive from Arusha, which will take roughly 10 to 12 hours. There are also guided tours available that make the journey easy and stress-free for visitors.
