Serengeti National ParK

Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was established in 1952. It is home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth – the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The resident population of lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is also impressive. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps. The park covers 5,700 sq miles, (14,763 sq km), it’s larger than Connecticut, with at most a couple of hundred vehicles driving around.

The Park can be divided into 3 sections. The popular southern/central part (Seronera Valley), is what the Maasai called the “Serengeti”, the land of endless plains. It’s classic savannah, dotted with acacias and filled with wildlife. The western corridor is marked by the Grumeti River and has more forests and dense bush. The north, Lobo area, meets up with Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, is the least visited section.

Two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves have been established within the 30,000 km² regions. Its unique ecosystem has inspired writers from Ernest Hemingway to Peter Matthiessen, filmmakers like Hugo von Lawick and Alan Root as well as numerous photographers and scientists – many of which have put their works at our disposal to create this website.

The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. The essential features of climate, vegetation and fauna have barely changed in the past million years. Early man himself made an appearance in Olduvai Gorge about two million years ago. Some patterns of life, death, adaptation and migration are as old as the hills themselves.

It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back.

The Wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves and protected areas and through a variety of habitat. Join us to explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants.

Activities in Tarangire National Park

Early Morning Game Drive

A game drive in the Serengeti is without doubt the most popular thing to do. It is the best way to see big 5 and other resident creatures. Animals in the Serengeti are very active in the morning and evening hours. The morning game drive starts at sunrise and ends at around 11: am. It is designed to allow tourists spot nocturnal animals retreating back to their holes/dens or observe herbivores going out to graze. The morning game drive is also excellent for spotting hyenas, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards and hippos (as they return from a night of grazing outside the pools). Lions love hunting in the night and early in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

If you want to have a different perspective of the vast Serengeti national park and can afford it, we highly recommend a hot air balloon safari. From thousands of feet above the Best things to do in Serengetiground, you will get an aerial view of the plains and the animals that roam it. Hot air balloon safaris are particularly popular during the wildebeest migration allowing travelers to observe them in the thousands. Hot air balloon safaris start in the morning and ends with champagne breakfast in the African wilderness. Hot air balloons can take between 12 to 16 people. You need to book your tour in advance and prepare to pay about $500. Hot Air balloon safaris are excellent for honeymooners and those planning to celebrate an anniversary or birthday party. You will never forget the experience of getting a bird-eye view of the Serengeti plains and Africa’s famous wildlife.

The Olduvai Gorge

The Olduvai Gorge is also known as the “cradle of mankind” because it is where the very first human remains where excavated by the Leakey family. The Gorge is found in the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area and within the East African Rift Valley. The Leakey family established a research base there and in so doing discovered several fossils and tools that were over 2 million years old. These tools and human remains can be seen from a small museum in the facility.

Meals in the Bush

If you are traveling with a partner or are planning to spend your honeymoon in the Serengeti, you will find having dinner in the middle of the African wilderness something to remember. Most of the good hotels can arrange dinner under the stars with well-set tables.

Wildebeest Migration

Over 1.6 million herbivores (zebras, gazelles and wildebeest) migrate between the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve each year. As they move, they What to do in Serengeti National Parkgo through great challenges and have to evade predators like lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs. One of their greatest challenges is crossing the Mara river as they cross to Kenya. They have to cross the crocodile infested river and deal with the high current. If they cross at the wrong point of the river, they risk drowning or stampeding on each other leading to thousands of deaths. The wildebeest migration attracts tourists to the Serengeti because it offers countless opportunities to witness the great battles between prey and predator. Travelers can also spend the whole day watching the wildebeest graze or give birth (calving).

Visit the Maasai

The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists living in most parts of Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. They are arguably the most known East African tribal group. They have a tall Activities in Serengeti National Parkstature and put on vibrant/colorful attire. The Masai have lived within/close to the Serengeti plains for the last 300 years (after migrating from Sudan). They still believe in their ancient traditional practices and values. A visit to one their villages (bomas) is an excellent opportunity to learn about their culture and traditional beliefs. They are very friendly and will show you how to hunt, milk domestic animals, cook traditional food and much more. After visiting the individual homesteads, you can also visit one of the local schools, attend traditional dance performances and buy handicrafts.

Camping

Camping in the wilderness is also one of the popular activities while on a safari in the Serengeti. Your hotel should provide you with all the camping gear, a chef and armed guards. Camping is even more exciting if you travel in a group. You would have fun with your group-mates as you party under the African sky. Basic tents cost about $50 per night while the luxury tents can cost $900 per night. Regardless of whether you go for the budget or luxury tents, the results are the same. You will still get to experience what it is like to sleep in the African wilderness with the beautiful sounds of birds, hungry lions and nervous herbivores.

The Bologonja Springs

These beautiful springs are found in the northeastern corner of the park. The Bologna springs offer some of the most scenic views in the Serengeti. The springs provide water which allows vegetation to thrive throughout the year. This in turn attracts several species of small primates, birds, migrating animals, giraffes, elephants, steenbok, mountain reedbuck and many other plant eaters. Because of their remoteness, you get to explore them without the large crowds seen in central Serengeti.

Night Game Drive

Ever wondered what it would feel like hearing the sound of wildlife in the night? A night game drive is the perfect answer. Whereas Night game drives are generally not permitted in the Serengeti National Park, a number of outfitters can arrange it in neighboring reserves. The Serengeti and private conservancies are home to many nocturnal animals like civets, aardvarks, nightjars and bush babies. Night game drives also offer travelers a chance to observe zebras, hyenas, impala, giraffes, jackals and foxes. Lions, hyenas and Leopards are very active at night. It is the best time to spot them take down prey.

Visit the Lobo Valley

The Lobo valley is the best place to spot lions and the other big cats in the Serengeti. The big cats are attracted to the valley because of abundant prey and permanent waterholes. Apart from the big cats, the Lobo Valley also attracts baboons, elephants and giraffes. Between July and November, the valley is the center of the great migration. Tourists flock the valley to observe zebras, wildebeest and gazelles enjoying the lush green grass in the area.

Visit the Moru Kopjes

Remember the Lion King’s Pride Rock? Well that was a Kopje. Kopjes are rocky areas that dot the Serengeti plains. They are covered with vegetation, small pools and shade. This is where lions and other predators go to rest as they lookout for prey. The Moru Kopjes are the most popular and impressive within the Serengeti. They also contain old Masai paintings. From the top of the Kopjes, you can scan the horizon with your binoculars and get beautiful views of wildlife in the plains. The Moru Kopjes are the best place to spot black Rhinos.

The Retina Hippo Pool

This is not a swimming pool but where hippos wallow in. The pool is found in the Seronera sector of the park and attracts hundreds of hippos. Hippos and buffaloes are arguably the most dangerous animals to humans in the Serengeti. The pool offers you a chance to observe them and take great photos. Tourists are allowed to explore the pool on foot as they watch the hippos fight for the best spots. After watching the mammals and taking photos, you can go for lunch at the picnic area.

Best time to visit Serengeti national park.

The best time to visit the Serengeti for most people is when the Great Wildebeest Migration is in full flow, but actually you can see evidence of movement for many months, not just when the dramatic River Mara crossings are happening, which is June to September. During these months it is also extremely hot, pushing over the 30°C mark. Many people avoid the rainy season, March to early May, with another short one November to December. Although there is still great wildlife to be seen, at a fraction of the cost. However, January to February is green and gorgeous with young wildlife being introduced to the world.