Are there tigers in the Serengeti?
Are there tigers in the Serengeti? Tanzania has been a leading wildlife destination in East Africa for decades. And Serengeti is among the unique destinations that draw thousands of nature lovers. Others include the Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, and diverse cultures (including the world-famous Maasai tribe). This country has a myriad of attractions, yet many visitors go there primarily for wildlife viewing.
In Tanzania, nature lovers can enjoy viewing wildlife in most of its wildlife sanctuaries, distributed around the country. Interestingly, you have the freedom to choose between visiting remote parks and the most popular ones. The Serengeti Ecosystem is spectacular for its vast plains and is arguably the most documented park in the world.
Every visitor has an interest in visiting the Serengeti. Whether it’s for leisure, study, or adventure, the Serengeti claims all the credits for satisfying nearly everyone who has been there. However, there are times when a tourist expects much from this park. And when this valuable person misses what he/she expected to see, he/she may end up being frustrated.
What causes some guests to have higher expectations of Serengeti is possibly the information they consume. Some sources promise unreal things, which are exactly as they are or they are not in the Serengeti. In this article, we’ll address one of the most common questions asked by our clients. It’s about the presence or absence of tigers in the Serengeti.
Tigers
The tiger is a member of the family Felidae in the Panthera genus. It’s one of the big cats fierce enough to rule over various habitats. They’re powerful hunters with long, sharp, and retractable claws, strong jaws, and pointed teeth. You can tell their difference from cheetahs and leopards by a distinctive dark vertical stripe over their reddish-orange coat.
Tigers do not exist in Africa and are consequently not available in the Serengeti. This is strange, right? Africa is known for hosting almost every animal species. It is a surprise to not host tigers. Tigers are native to Asia.
However, the absence of tigers can be linked to many aspects like evolution, history, geography, and ecology. The origin of the tiger is in Asia. Their early (Panthera palaeosinensis) ancestors survived the forests and grasslands about two million years ago.
During the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), land bridged, thus allowing intercontinental migration of many animal species. But tigers didn’t migrate to Africa. This is possibly due to the existence of lions, leopards, and cheetahs—the potential competitors of tigers.
Another possible reason for the non-existence of tigers in Africa may be adaptations. Asia has thick forests, where tigers are adapted. Tigers rely on stealth and camouflage to ambush prey. This is only possible due to thick vegetation. Africa has open savannahs. Predators usually rely on pack hunting and endurance running. Moreover, animals in the plains are migratory and may require special hunting skills.
Tigers are abundant in Asia, especially in India, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
No tigers in the Serengeti; what other animals can I see?
If no tigers, then what else will I see? Probably, you’re asking yourself. But we have you covered.
See other predators
The Serengeti is home to many predators. Lions are abundant enough for you to see them almost every turn you make. You’ll also see cheetahs scanning the horizon from a rock outcrop. And more than enough, leopards are common in the Seronera Valley. You can hope to see these predators instead of tigers.
Search for the Big Five
In Serengeti, you have a lot of animals to watch. These big games are available in Serengeti, and they wander around the verdant plains. As you drive in the open plains, the buffalo herds appear from afar. And what makes them amazing is their black appearance. You need a second look to confirm. Elephants prefer thorny woodlands and grassy savannahs. Don’t forget to take a close look at their matriarchal herds.
Lions are abundant in the plains. More often, they are seen in their territories hunting or fighting other predators. Leopards are elusive predators. They spend most of the daytime hiding in trees. They usually come out in the early mornings or late evenings. And finally, you may encounter the black rhino—one of the most endangered animal species in the world.
See the wildebeest migration.
Each year nearly two million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras, gazelles, and other ungulates migrate from the south to the north of the Serengeti Ecosystem. This is the Great Migration. It’s the biggest mammal migration on earth. The animals had to face two fatal obstructions: the Grumeti and Mara Rivers.
If lucky, you may witness herds of wildebeests braving the Mara River. As this happens, Nile crocodiles take advantage to prey on wildebeests. The scene is dramatic, and it usually occurs between July and August.
Serengeti’s diverse ecosystem is jam-packed with natural wonders. There are plenty of animals and plants to see. So, the missing species should not discourage you from seeing other wonders. If you’re inspired to visit Serengeti, our safari experts can help you out. Book a Tanzania safari with Focus East Africa Tours.
