Uganda Tanzania Safari Tours | Combined Adventure Trips

Located in the north of Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, Serengeti National Park is the place to be for a safari holiday.

It is one of the most visited conservation areas in Africa, with large concentrations of predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, to mention a few.

This park is situated in the Simiyu and Mara regions and is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. The word Serengeti is derived from the local word “Siringet,” meaning “a place where the land runs forever.”

There are over 3,000 lions, a variety of mammals, reptiles, and primates, over 34 raptor species, and over 500 bird species.

Masai Mara National Park in Kenya and Ngorongoro Conservation Area are part of the vast Serengeti conservation area.

The park’s neighbors include Maswa Game Reserve in the southwest, Loliondo Game Control Area in the north and northeast, Ngorongoro Crater in the southeast, Grumeti Game Reserve, and Ikorongo Reserve in the west.

Once largely vacant, the area was occupied by natural wildlife until the 20th century when the nomadic Masai pastoralists arrived. Engaging mainly in farming, poaching, and other negative human activities greatly affected the wildlife population in Serengeti.

As years went by, diseases befell the place, reducing the Masai population and cattle numbers, leading to their relocation to the Ngorongoro region.

In 1930, an estimated 2,286 sq. km of land in the eastern and southern regions was gazetted as a game reserve to protect the wildlife species.

By 1950, the area was declared a national park following a request to the Tanganyika authorities to establish an ecosystem in response to the convention on the preservation of flora and fauna.

By 1981, the park covered about 12,950 sq. km, just a portion of the previous Serengeti area. Over the years, more land was acquired, and it now occupies about 14,750 sq. km, covered with woodland, riverine forest, savanna pasture, and grassland plains, among others. The place is vast and plain with few trees.

Serengeti National Park has three main regions:

The Northern Serengeti

This region is dominated by hills, open woodlands, and Commiphora. It runs from the Seronera region in the southern wing to the Mara River on the Kenyan border.

This place is famous for game drives, granite outcroppings known as kopjes, pasture, an airstrip, and a variety of flora and fauna. The park’s main headquarters and accommodation facilities in the Seronera region are limited to lodges and camps for staff, researchers, and visitors.

The northern region is also known for the climaxing stages of the annual wildebeest migration.

The Western Corridor

This corridor has small mountain ranges and a riverine forest. It is relatively flat, with wildebeest crossing from May to July, attracting large visitor numbers. The Grumeti and Mbalageti Rivers are also located here.

Serengeti Plains

Located in the southern part of Serengeti National Park, this region is dominated by granite formations, a perfect viewing point for predators. The granite outcroppings, known as kopjes, connect with the plains and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Activities in Serengeti National Park and Tanzania

Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration

The annual wildebeest migration is a prime safari activity in Serengeti National Park.

It is one of the natural wonders of the world, involving the movement of about 1.5 million wildebeests, accompanied by over 30,000 zebras, Thomson gazelles, and several antelope species, from the south to the northern part of Serengeti to Masai Mara in Kenya.

From January to March, it is the calving season, and in April, the mass movement starts in search of water and fresh pasture.

They cross the western corridor in May, traversing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, where the climax of the migration is witnessed. While covering the 800 km stretch, over 40% of the migrants die due to predators, thirst, diseases, and exhaustion.

The cycle repeats itself in late October as the migrants return to Serengeti for fresh grass.

Follow the migrants while paying attention to their movement patterns, communication, and survival skills as they face different obstacles on their way. Visitors use mobile camps to track the migration both day and night.

Game Drives

Visitors can see their favorite prey and predators, birds, and primates roaming in the western corridor and the Seronera region of the park.

Game drives take place all year round, with activities running in the morning and night.

Notable mammals include black rhinos, lions, African leopards, African bush elephants, African buffalos, warthogs, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, African civets, East African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, jackals, mongooses, and gazelles.

Primates such as baboons, patas monkeys, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys can also be seen. The night game drives offer the perfect opportunity to encounter nocturnal mammals that take advantage of the night cover.

Bird Watching

There are over 500 bird species in Serengeti National Park, making it one of the finest birding destinations on the continent of Africa.

These birds include the Masai ostrich, southern ground hornbill, sacred ibis, goliath heron, lovebirds, vultures, African fish eagle, shoebill, helmeted guineafowl, secretary bird, knob-billed stork, pink-backed pelican, hadada ibis, marabou stork, and flamingoes, to mention a few.

Bird watching is done very early in the morning and late afternoon when the birds are resting or have just woken up to start their day.

Other activities include cultural adventures with the Masai people, guided nature walks, and camping.

Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is open for visitors all year round, with the migration season best witnessed from June to October.

December to March also offers a profusion of wildlife and perfect weather for game drives, guided nature walks, and several other activities in the park.

Some accommodation facilities are located in the park, ranging from budget to luxury campsites, lodges, and hotels, though you need to book at least a few months prior to your visit.

Serengeti National Park is one of the prime safari destinations, perfect for adventure, honeymoon getaways, education and research, photography, and family vacations.

You can spend up to 3 hours on a game drive without getting exhausted.

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