Wildlife safari in Serengeti national park

Wildlife safari in Serengeti national park : Serengeti national park in the northern part of Tanzania is among the destinations with the best wildlife viewing. Many tourists visit Serengeti national park each month to explore its savannah plains and its wilderness in search of the different wildlife species. The national park covers about 14,763 square kilometers and was established in 1951.

The different wildlife species which can be seen during safaris in Serengeti national park include lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, hippos, dik dik, monkeys, Nile crocodiles, impalas, gazelles, hartebeests, topi, waterbucks, elands among others.

Serengeti national park is also known for being home to many predators such as over 3000 lions which can be seen in the wilderness of the national park during safaris. There are also cheetahs, leopards, hyenas among others.

Another attraction in Serengeti national park is the annual wildebeest migration which is the movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests across Serengeti and also in the south western part of Kenya in Masai Mara national reserve.

Throughout the year different wildlife species can be seen around Serengeti national park. For the wildebeest migration the months of June and July are recommended when the river crossings on Grumeti river can be seen.

During safaris in Serengeti national park the months in the dry season from June to October are recommended for wildlife viewing. Around September in the northern part of the national park, river crossings during the wildebeest migration can be seen along the Mara river.

For the calving season during the wildebeest migration, the wildebeest calves can be seen in the month of February. About 8000 calves are born daily in the grassy plains during the calving season.

Wildlife safari in Serengeti national park

The big 5 are also part of the different wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around Serengeti national park and they include elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalos which are considered to be the most difficult wildlife species to hunt.

Serengeti national park is also a UNESCO world heritage site where the largest wildlife migration in the world takes place. During safaris to this national park, a minimum of 3 days is recommended for safaris around the endless plains of Serengeti.

Game drives are among the activities which are carried out during Serengeti safaris and they are carried out in the morning or afternoon. Night game drives however in the national park are not allowed.

During game viewing around Serengeti national park, walking safaris are also carried out and they involve exploring the vast plains of Serengeti on foot while enjoying the scenery and getting a closer view of the natural surroundings in the national park.

Warm and light clothing is recommended for safaris to Serengeti national park as well as long sleeved clothing. Decent dressing is also highly encouraged during safaris around Tanzania.

Other activities which are carried out during safaris in Serengeti national park include hot air balloon safaris and bird watching. During hot air balloon safaris, visitors get an aerial view of the plains in the national park.

Hot air balloon safaris can be carried out in the central part of Serengeti also known as the Seronera area and also in the northern part of the national park. The hot air balloon experience starts as early as dawn after a briefing at the landing site.

After returning from the hot air balloon experience and enjoying the views above the vast savannah plains of Serengeti national park, the passengers share breakfast and also champagne before returning to their lodges.

Serengeti national park is also home to a variety of bird species which include rufous tailed weavers, kori bustards, and secretary birds among other endemic and migratory bird species. Bird watching in the national park is also an exciting experience during which over 500 bird species can be seen. The best time for wildlife viewing is during the months of November to March when migrant bird species are also present in the national park.

There are certain rules which are followed during safaris to Serengeti national park such as staying inside the vehicles during the wildlife viewing experience, avoiding feeding of animals, avoiding noise among others.

Some of the fees which are paid during safaris to Serengeti national park include park fees, transit fees paid when entering and exiting the park, camping fees and also concession fees for those staying inside the national park.

Park entrance fee for Serengeti national park is as follows;

For visitors above the age of 16 years on safari in Serengeti national park in the peak season park entry fee will be 82.6 USD for Non East African citizens inclusive of 18 % tax. Residents will be charged park entry fee of 41.3 USD with tax and East Africans will be charged 10,000 TSH without tax.

In the low season, visitors above the age of 16 years will be charged park entrance fee for Serengeti national park of 71 USD with tax for Non East African citizens, 35.4 USD with tax for residents and 10,000 TSH for East Africans without tax.

For visitors aged between 5 and 15 years on safari in Serengeti national park will be charged park entrance fee of 23.6 USD for Non East African citizens, 11.8 USD for residents visiting the national park inclusive of tax both in the low season and in the peak season. East Africans are charged park entrance fee of 2,000 TSH without tax in the low and peak season.
Children aged below 5 years visiting Serengeti national park on safari are not charged park entrance fees.

Other costs incurred during safaris to Serengeti national park include concession fees paid by tourists staying in the lodges in the national park. In the peak season concession fees for Serengeti national park for adults above the age of 16 years is 71 USD in the peak season and 59 USD in the low season.

Visit Serengeti national park and experience wildlife viewing as you explore the vast savannah at the destination.