Serengeti National Park Tanzania

Serengeti national park Tanzania is a wildlife viewing destination located in Tanzania and it is famous for amazing safari experiences during the annual tours to the destination by tourists from different parts of the world.

This national park is also known for the annual wildebeest migration where herds of over 2 million wildebeests can be seen as they move around the savannah plains of Serengeti national park.

Serengeti national park has one of the oldest ecosystems stretching across to the Ngorongoro conservation area south east of the national park and also to Masai Mara national reserve in the south western part of Kenya.

The national park covers about 14750 square kilometers and is home to numerous wildlife and bird species which can be seen during a safari around Serengeti national park.

Covered by endless savannah plains, riverine forest as well as woodlands, Serengeti national park has beautiful scenery and amazing views which can be seen during a safari at the destination.

Serengeti national park is made up of the western Serengeti, northern Serengeti as well as central Serengeti plains which are also referred to as the Seronera area. All these different parts of the national park offer amazing safaris with various attractions which can be seen.

Wildlife species which can be seen during a safari in Serengeti national park include elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalos (big 5), wildebeests, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, dik dik, gazelles, hartebeests, waterbucks, cheetahs, impalas, warthogs, elands, klipspringers, kudu, bushbucks, oribi, reedbucks among others.

There are over 4000 lions, 7500 hyenas, and 250 cheetahs and over 500 bird species which are found in Serengeti national park. The big 5 are described as the most difficult wildlife species to be hunted on foot and they can be spotted during a safari in Serengeti national park.

Among the requirements which tourists are expected to fulfill during their safaris to Serengeti national park include paying of entrance fees which is 71 USD for a single entry into the national park for nonresidents.

The best time for wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park is during the dry season from June to October when the wildlife species can be seen around the water points. However, safaris to this national park can be carried out at different times of the year.

Wildebeest migration

The wildebeest migration which takes place also in Serengeti national park has been described as one of the natural wonders and tourists from all over the worlds go for tours to enjoy seeing as these wildebeests graze around the savannah plains.

During the great wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park, the herds of wildebeests move across the western plains of the national park and they cross the Grumeti river around July to August.

The wildebeests also move across the Lobo area in Serengeti national park during the great wildebeest migration as they search for greener pastures. Other wildlife species like zebras and gazelles accompany the wildebeests during the migration and predators like lions, leopards and cheetahs can also be spotted during a safari in this national park.

The calving season during the wildebeest migration takes place in the months of January to early March. About 8000 wildebeests are born daily during the calving season which is one of the highlights of the wildebeest migration.

In April and May, the wildebeests can be seen in the western part of Serengeti national park. Around August to September, the wildebeests cross to the Masai Mara national reserve via the Mara river where some of the wildebeests don’t make it across the river. Crocodiles also feast on the wildebeests as well as predators attack the wildebeests during the migration.

The movement of the wildebeests depends on factors such as season in that at different times of the year, the wildebeests follow different trails in search of greener pastures.

Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya are the locations that tourists can visit during their safaris for not only the wildebeest migration but also for wildlife viewing adventures since both destinations have a variety of wildlife species that can be spotted during a tour.

Some of the lodges located near the Mara and Grumeti rivers provide a good viewing point to witness the wildebeest migration during safaris. Another way to enjoy seeing the wildebeests spread cross the savannah plains during a safari is during a game drive in Serengeti national park.

Safari activities in Serengeti national park

Activities which tourists can engage in during their safaris in Serengeti national park include the following;

Hot air balloon rides are a unique way to enjoy seeing the different attractions around Serengeti national park during a safari. This activity can be carried out in the morning after briefing before proceeding to engage in the hot air balloon activity during which you will enjoy beautiful views of the national park and also see different wildlife species such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions among others.
Game drives in Serengeti national park are also carried out during a safari in the national park. Game drives can be carried out in the morning, afternoon, evening or for a full day. This activity is popular among tourists and visitors to Serengeti national park as they enjoy driving around the endless savannah plains in search of the different wildlife species.
Bird watching is another safari activity which tourists engage in during their safaris in Serengeti national park. There are over 500 bird species in this national park and they include ostriches, secretary birds, grey crowned cranes, starlings, herons, yellow billed storks, pelicans, hornbills, lesser flamingos, vultures, kori bustard among others.
Cultural experiences with the Maasai people are also among the safari experiences during a visit to Serengeti national park.

Attractions/ what is seen during a safari in Serengeti national park

Attractions in Serengeti national park include the following;

Big 5

The big 5 are much sort after during safaris to Serengeti national park and they include elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalos. These wildlife species as well as many other wildlife species attract tourists to engage in safaris to Serengeti national park. Different tour operators offer safari packages for wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park including game drives at different times of day.

Grumeti river

The Grumeti river is a river crossing point during the wildebeest migration. It is part of the Grumeti reserve in the north western part of Serengeti national park which is a migration corridor during the wildebeest migration.

Seronera valley

Seronera valley is another attraction in Serengeti national park which can be seen during safaris as tourists explore the destination. It is located in the central part of Serengeti national park which is a popular part of the national park which is visited during safaris or wildlife viewing experiences.

The big 5 can also be seen during a safari in the Seronera valley and tourists can also enjoy watching as predators hunt during their game drives in this part of Serengeti national park Tanzania.

The Seronera area is made up of savannah plains, a broad valley, river meanders, grasslands and swamps. There are also rock outcrops or kopjes which can be seen in the Seronera area.

Apart from the many predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals in Seronera valley there are other wildlife species that can be seen during a safari at this destination and they include waterbucks, hartebeests, dik dik, hippos, impalas, warthogs among others.

Retina hippo pool

A visit to the retina hippo pool of Serengeti national park is rewarded with seeing big numbers of hippos in a pool. There are approximately 200 hippos that can be seen at the retina hippo pool.

Birds such as crowned cranes, egrets, herons, kingfishers among others can also be seen around the retina hippo pool.

Maasai

Apart from the amazing wildlife of Serengeti national park, tourists can also get an experience with the Maasai people who are famous for their unique culture and nomadic way of life.

The Maasai keep livestock such as cows, goats, and sheep which they depend on. They also make local arts and crafts such as beaded necklaces, earrings, anklets which are made by the Maasai people.

The Maasai also have unique homesteads known as “manyattas” made using local materials such as dung. During a community or cultural visit to the Maasai villages, tourists get to see these homesteads and also know more about the culture and traditions of the Maasai.

Visit Serengeti national park and enjoy a safari filled with amazing wildlife viewing and beautiful endless savannah plains as you explore the oldest national park in Tanzania.