Serengeti National Park Guide
Serengeti National park is one of the main attractions of Tanzania locates in the mara and Simiyu regions and is famous for the annual migration of over 1.5 million variant of different animals.
Serengeti National park is one of the main attractions of Tanzania. It is located in the mara and Simiyu regions and is famous for the annual migration of over 1.5 million variants of different animals.
Along with Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti is one of the best national parks in Tanzania. Both national parks form Africa’s most diverse ecosystems.
Interesting Facts about Serengeti National Park
- The park covers a wapping 14,750 square kilometers of different terrains ranging from grasslands plains, savanna riverine forest, and extraordinary woodlands.
- When describing the park it usually tends to be divided into three distinct areas: the western corridor, Northern Serengeti and the human habitation.
- Locals have known the secrets of these lands far before anyone else has. The native massai have been grazing their livestock in the region's open plains for generations.
- The name of the Serengeti park itself is the very same word that the maasai used to describe the land as "the place where the land strings forever"
- Out of fear of the extinction of the loins, as their numbers became scarce as a result of excessive hunting, the area was declared as a partial game reserve.
Location
Serengeti National Park is situated in a remote corner in the north of Tanzania.
How to Get There
By Air
You can get to Serengeti National Park by flying from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). The flight will take 1 to 5 hours.
There is also another way to fly to the park. You can fly from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL). The favourite airport is Mwanza Airport (MWZ), when travelling from the Lake Victoria area.
You can also find direct flights from Serengeti to Zanzibar, Lake Manyara and Tarangire.
By Road
You can book a drive-in safari. It is the most popular way to travel to the park by road. It starts from the town of Arusha and it takes approximately eight hours.
The park is also accessible when travelling by a rented car. However, it is not so recommended. A 4X4 car is required to take all the roads.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Serengeti National Park is considered to be the dry season, from late June to October. This is the best time for the best wildlife viewing, especially the wildebeest migration.
Wildlife viewing is good all year round, but specific areas are better at certain times. For instance, winter is the best time to witness the herd in Southern Serengeti whereas the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti are preferably to visit during summer and autumn months.
Wildlife of Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti ecosystem is not only distinct but extremely variant featuring all walks of wildlife such as aardvarks, aardwolf, ground pangolin. It is one of the greatest wilderness areas in the world. It supports a diverse number of animals, from the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino) to impala, kongoni, topi, giraffe, and Grant’s gazelle.
The park is very well known for its predators. You can expect to witness excellent lion and cheetah, leopards and also exciting lion kills. Other predators to spot there are serval cats, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and golden and black-backed jackal.
The highlight of Serengeti is definitely the Great Migration. It is an annual circular movement of wildebeest, gazelle, zebra towards the neighbouring park in Kenya, the Masai Mara and then back to the Serengeti plains.
During the migration of animals, you can witness predators picking off their kills. While crossing the Mara river, you will find animals struggling to survive in a dramatic scene. They fight currents and attacks by huge Nile crocodiles.
Things to Do in Serengeti National Park
1- Witness the Wildebeest Migration
Witnessing the annual Wildebeest Migration would be an amazing experience for you. Millions of wildebeests and zebras take the journey into the Masai Mara in Kenya.
2- Morning Game Drive
Most residents of the park are active during cooler hours of mornings and evenings. Sunrise game drive is an excellent way to observe leopards, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and many others.
3- Hot Air Balloon
Witness the park from thousands feet above on Hot Air Balloon experience. Enjoy a unique view while spotting the inhabitants of the park along with the tranquil atmosphere.
4- Nature Walk
You may have the chance to take a guided nature walk, depending on where you are staying. These nature walks give you the chance to indulge in the local flora and fauna and enjoy the quiet part of the park.