Serengeti National Park, named Siringet by the wandering Maasai is a immense savannah land with endless plains. Serengeti National Park, which covers a total area of 14,763 kilometres square, supports 3 million mammals, of which over 2 million annually migrate in very large herds north across the Mara River in the last great spectacle of nature known as the great wildebeest migration. Serengeti National Park has endless rolling plains which reach up to the Kenyan border(Maasai Mara), and extends almost to Lake Victoria. Serengeti borders Ngorongoro Crater in the south and Maasai Mara National Park of Kenya in the north part. Serengeti Park is really the most visited Tanzania national park, where most tourists visit to watch the spectacle of the great wildebeest migration.

Serengeti National Park Wildlife

Serengeti National Park Tanzania is a center of all sorts of wildlife. The park sides with stunning wildlife that it is thought over 3 million large mammals do roam the endless plains of the Serengeti. Large herds of antelopes of all kinds are in Serengeti Park and these include the very many and migratory wildebeests, Patterson’s eland, Impalas, zebras that do migrate as well during the annual migration, bush and reed buck, cotton’s oribi, grey bush duiker, roan antelope, buffalo and gazelles among others. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, bat eared fox, hunting dog and jackals can also be seen in the park. Smaller mammals like porcupines, warthogs, hyraxes, spring hares, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys and mongooses and so many others can be seen in the Serengeti. Giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos and so many others; as well as about 500 bird species including vultures, flamingos, ostriches, and storks can be found in Serengeti Park. Reptiles also can be seen such as crocodiles which feast on the wildebeests during the annual migration, snakes and lizards among others. Wildlife in Serengeti Park can be seen and enjoyed with alot of various activities.

Activities at Serengeti National Park

There're a number of activities that tourists can do while in Serengeti Park. Some of Serengeti National Park activities includes;

Game drives

Game drives in Serengeti Park are the most rewarding activity that tourists can do. Game drives in Serengeti National Park can take the whole day, or tourists can choose to do either morning game drives, afternoon game drives or evening game drives. All these grants tourists with great views and sightings of various wildlife species including the big five and others, as well as birds. Night game drives are however not so common, but are available on request. Morning and full day game drives are however the most common, with tourists on full day game drives carrying their packed lunch of which they enjoy in the bush.

Bird watching

Serengeti National Park has more than 500 species of birds across the plains, with Ndutu area taking about half of the total bird population in the National park. Bird watching in Serengeti National Park can be done all year through, but the best and most recommended time is during the months of November to April which are breeding periods. Keen birders can see more than 100 bird species within a day. North African and European migratory birds can also be seen in the Serengeti. Some of the birds tourists are sure to see includes the secretary bird, Fischer’s lovebird, grey-breasted spurfowl, black eagles and ostriches. Birding tours in Serengeti Park can take the whole day, with tourists going with their packed lunch boxes. Birders are reminded to carry a good pair of binoculars for a clear view.

Hot Air balloon safaris

Hot air balloon safaris in Serengeti Park are unique and one of the best activities in the park. Hot air ballooning allows tourists to high up to even 1000metres or more above the park, rewarding them with the great views of the wildlife and landscape of the Serengeti plains. Serengeti hot air balloon safaris start early in the morning at 6am and end at around 9 am or 10am, with a sumptuous bush breakfast.

The Great Wildebeest migration viewing

The great wildebeest migration is probably the most sought after Serengeti Park activity by most visitors. The great wildebeest migration is an annual spectacle that has more than 1 million of wildebeests, many zebras and gazelles crossing the Mara River to Masai Mara National Park of Kenya, in a survival of the fittest path. The predators like cheeters lions, leopards and the crocodiles in the Mara River use this chance to hunt down a number of migrants. Tourists who get to see the great wildebeest migration are always left suprised.

Other activities that tourists can do while in Serengeti National Park include walking safaris in the guidance of a ranger, cultural visits and historical visits at Olduvai Gorge.

Serengeti National Park is the home to a number of tribes with the most famous being the Kenya Maasai. This tribe is unique and very popular due to their long preserved culture which even after civilization and education still cling to their cultural and traditional way of life. Visiting them is very enlightening, and fun especially when they do their traditional dance.

Best time to pay a visit in Serengeti National Park

The best time to pay a visit in visit Serengeti Park is during the dry season, which usually falls in the months of June to October. Most travellers visit Serengeti Park for the great wildebeest migration, the best time is during the months of June to July. The months of April and May fall in the rainy season with the highest rainfall registered before. For this reason, some lodges do close.

How to reach to Serengeti National Park

Getting to Serengeti can be by air or road. By air, tourists can charter flights from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar-es-salaam to Arusha, and then charter another from Arusha to Serengeti in the various airstrips available. By road, tourists take about 8 hours on road from Arusha to the park.

Accommodation at Serengeti

Serengeti Park Tanzania has a good number of lodges and camps that tourists can stay at while in the park. The accommodation range from super luxury to basic, thus fits all kinds of tourists. Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Ndutu Safari Lodge and Serengeti Serena Lodge, are among so many others offer great service, comfort and safety. Public campsites are also available though very basic and sometimes without water!

Serengeti National Park offers unique safari experiences. 6 days Serengeti wildebeest migration Park safari or 6 days Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater safari packages are some of the Tanzania safaris you can take to experience the best safari experiences. Get in touch with the best tour operator for more information or assistance on planning and booking a Tanzania safari to Serengeti Park.