Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is a quintessential safari destination in Tanzania, renowned for its substantial animal population, including the Big Five, and the annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeests, 10,000 zebras, and gazelles in pursuit of greener pastures and water. Serengeti National Park is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is unequivocally one of the premier wildlife-watching locales globally. The park’s name originates from the Maasai term “Siringet,” signifying “the Endless Plains” or “the place where the land runs on forever.”
Geographical Position and Dimensions of Serengeti National Park Serengeti National Park is situated in northwestern Tanzania, bordered to the north by the Kenya border, which connects it to the Masai Mara National Reserve. To the southeast lies the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, while the Maswa Game Reserve is located to the southwest. The Ikorongo and Gumet Game Reserves are to the west, and the Loliondo Game Controlled Area is positioned to the northeast and east. These regions constitute the expansive Serengeti ecosystem, one of the most ancient ecosystems on Earth.Serengeti National Park encompasses an expanse exceeding 14,763 square kilometers, characterized mostly by undulating grasslands, savannah, riverine forests, and woodlands.
History of Serengeti National Park
Historically, the Maasai people have grazed their livestock in the broad plains of the eastern Mara Region for approximately 200 years. This territory remained largely obscure to external governmental entities until 1913, when professional hunters began to infiltrate the area, drawn by the extensive populations of uncommon and highly valuable wildlife.
Stewart Edward White, an American, was the first foreigner to enter Serengeti National Park, documenting his investigations in the northern Serengeti in 1913. He returned to the park in the 1920s and camped in the vicinity of Seronera for three months. During this period, he and his associates killed 50 lions. Due to extensive hunting, lions became scarce in the park, prompting the British colonial authorities to designate a partial wildlife reserve of 3.2 square kilometers in 1921 and a fully protected area in 1929. These activities constituted the foundation for the creation of Serengeti National Park in 1951.
Following the designation of the area as a National Park, the Maasai people, who had coexisted harmoniously with wildlife for decades, were forcibly removed and relocated to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This action has been scrutinized and continues to be perceived as an act of coercion and deceit by British authorities. The Serengeti attained prominence following the initial efforts of Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael in the 1950s, during which they created the book and film “Serengeti Shall Not Die,” widely acknowledged as a seminal work in environmental conservation videography.
Wildlife in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park presents an abundance of beauty beyond the wildebeest migration. A diverse array of landscapes and wildlife is observable, unparalleled in Africa. The vast plains host almost 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 225 cheetahs and 3,500 hyenas. The prevalence of predators is unsurprising given the amount of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and buffaloes. The Serengeti is among the premier locations to observe the Big Five: rhinoceros, buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard. This magnificent park is home to nearly all renowned African wildlife. This includes rare animal species such as the pangolin, East African oryx, rhinoceros, and wild dog.
The enchanting terrains of Serengeti National Park range from acacia-studded savannahs and expansive grasslands to elevated slopes, lakes, and wetlands. Every location is distinct and possesses its own ambiance. The park is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna. This location really resonates with your spirit.
Birding in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park boasts over 500 recorded bird species, rendering it an exceptional destination for ornithologists. Notable avian inhabitants include endemic species such as the Fischer’s lovebird, Rufous-tailed weaver, Grey-breasted spurfowl, and the Usambiro barbet, which is exclusive to the Mara-Serengeti region. Additionally, near-endemics comprise the Grey-crested helmet-shrike and Hildebrandt’s starling. Additional species include the Black-headed Gonolek, Secretary Bird, Southern Ground Hornbill, Rüppell’s Vulture, Schalow’s Turaco, African Cuckoo, African Jacana, Green-backed Woodpecker, African Darter, Rufous-tailed Weaver, pelicans, egrets, and storks, among others.
Experience the Great Migration at Serengeti National Park
The annual migration of over a million wildebeest is likely the primary attraction of the Serengeti. The spectacle of numerous creatures traversing the Serengeti plains, fording rivers in pursuit of water and fresh grass, is simply remarkable. Mega herds in motion extend up to 40 kilometers in length, traversing a distance of around 1000 kilometers. It’s a perilous expedition for the wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that must outwit their predators. The Mara and Grumeti Rivers are characterized by the presence of large crocodiles and swift currents. The Great Migration is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and serves as a focal point for many visitors’ travels. It is indisputably one of the largest wildlife spectacles globally.
The wildebeest migration can be observed year-round, as the animals traverse a circular route between the Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya. The precise time of the Serengeti wildebeest migration is contingent upon annual rainfall patterns. Our knowledgeable Tanzania Specialist guides us to build a reasonably precise prognosis. For information regarding the location of the wildebeest migration throughout the year, please refer to our website dedicated to the wildebeest migration.
Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Game drive expeditions in Serengeti National Park: Undoubtedly, the most favored activity in the Serengeti is a game drive. This is the optimal method to observe the Big Five and other indigenous fauna. During the morning and evening, fauna in the Serengeti exhibit considerable activity. The early morning game drive commences at daybreak and concludes around eleven o’clock in the morning. The objective is to enable visitors to observe nocturnal creatures returning to their burrows or dens, together with herbivores departing to graze. Hyenas, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hippos are observable during the early game drive as they return from nocturnal grazing beyond the pools. Lions prefer to hunt during the night and early morning hours prior to the onset of excessive heat. To prevent hunger in the savanna, ensure you consume breakfast earlier than usual or request the lodge staff to prepare a meal for you. The distance to be traversed is considerable, and the routes are unpaved. Consequently, you will need a competent guide to help you identify the many animal species.
Serengeti National Park, located in Tanzania’s northern area, is renowned for wildlife observation. Annually, numerous visitors flock to Serengeti National Park to engage in activities such as game drives during safaris, aimed at observing the region’s rich wildlife. An admission fee is required to access Serengeti National Park for participation in any safari activities. The fee is 23.6 USD for children aged 5 to 15 and 71 USD for international nonresidents.
A full-day game drive encompasses a morning game drive, a lunch intermission, followed by an afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park. Morning game drives in Serengeti National Park entail traversing the park to observe several wildlife species, including the Big Five, while appreciating the breathtaking landscapes and the rising light. The wildebeest migration is a prominent natural feature that attracts people to Serengeti National Park. During this migration, game drives offer a stunning experience, as one may observe around 1.5 million wildebeests grazing over the national park’s savannah plains.
During the wildebeest migration, predators such as lions and leopards are often observed, and when on a game drive, they can be seen hunting the unsuspecting wildebeest grazing in the Serengeti National Park grassland. The wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park involves water crossings at the Grumeti water and the Mara River in the western region of the park around July. The game drives during these crossings are also noteworthy. Game drives during the wildebeest migration occur in different regions of Serengeti National Park, contingent upon the timing of the migration throughout the year. Serengeti National Park comprises the Western Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, and the Serengeti plains.
Serengeti National Park comprises expansive savannah plains, acacia forests, and rock formations referred to as kopjes. These rocks are distinguished by the presence of predators such as lions, which can be observed on them. The Big Five animals—lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and elephants—alongside various other wildlife species in Serengeti National Park, including wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, giraffes, cheetahs, kudu, and hartebeests, are observable during game drives throughout the park. The “big five” are considered the most formidable animal species to pursue on foot and can be observed on game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Morning game drives in the Serengeti habitat, commencing at 6:00 or 6:30 a.m., are more pleasurable as they allow observation of early-morning wildlife awakening and foraging for grazing areas. Due to the heightened activity of most birds in the morning, it is an excellent opportunity for birdwatching, as one can discern both avian and animal sounds. The sunrise in the Serengeti wildness will be a highlight of this morning’s game drive, since it is a favored experience for many people because to its breathtaking and picturesque environment. These are the memories that will endure a lifetime. Knowledge is a privilege. The day has merely commenced for you. You should pause and have a second cup of coffee or tea with your breakfast amidst the serene beauty of the majestic Serengeti bush.
The afternoon wildlife drive in Serengeti National Park provides an alternative experience, but less effective than early morning or late evening safaris. The location’s warmth from the sun and the presence of vehicles along the route hinder visibility of the critters in their native environment. Some animals are grazing while others relax in the shade of the trees, perhaps having satisfied their hunger or seeking refuge from the sun. This trip is exceptional since it allows you the option of a picnic lunch in the bush, resulting in a distinctive and memorable experience.
Night Drive in Serengeti National Park
Night wildlife drives in Serengeti National Park provide a wonderfully enchanting experience that visitors to the park cherish. This constitutes an additional tourist activity. Many tourists opt for a nocturnal game drive due to the difficulty of observing nocturnal creatures, such as cheetahs, during a diurnal game drive. You will hear distinct wild animal sounds, like a lion’s roar from 8 kilometers away, while observing these most active nocturnal creatures. One can feel secure as a game ranger armed with a rifle usually accompanies you throughout the nocturnal game drive to mitigate threats from hazardous animals. The optimal course of action is to heed their guidance, adhere to their directives, and maintain trust in them, since they are present to safeguard you.
