Serengeti National Park

Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park is famous for its’ annual wildebeest migration, the largest in the world! Millions of herbivores, including zebra and Thomson’s gazelle, pound the open grassy plains on their journey for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers undoubtedly the most impressive game-viewing in Africa, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, herds of buffalo, elephant, giraffe, eland, topi, hartebeest, impala and Grant’s gazelles.

The Serengeti is probably the best place to witness the classic predator – prey chase. During the migration, stragglers of the herds are hunted by cheetah and lion.

Spotted hyena, leopards, bat-eared foxes, jackals and vultures also eat their fill and thrive during this magnificent, age-old cycle of life.

As overwhelming as the game-viewing, is the sight of the almost infinitely wide Serengeti plains. The word Serengeti means “endless plain” in the language of the Maasai people who were grazing their livestock here approximately 200 years ago before the first European explorers arrived in the area. Harsh winds and intense heat make for an extreme environment but, during the rainy season, this dusty volcanic savannah marvellously transforms into a sea of green grass, dotted with wildflowers.

Note: the wildebeest migration timing and route can never be accurately predicted. Allow at least three days to ensure that you have a chance to find the wildebeest and, reserve more time if you want to see the larger predators.

Location / Getting there

The Serengeti is 335 km from Arusha, on the western side of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In the north it is bordered by Kenya (Masai Mara National Park) and to the west by Lake Victoria. One can travel by vehicle or by plane to the Serengeti. Scheduled flights are available from Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. There are also connection flights from/to the other national parks.

Activities

The most popular activities in the Serengeti are game drives, allowing visitors to explore the park’s vast plains and observe its incredible wildlife and to get insights into the behavior and ecology of the animals. Visitors have the opportunity to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and many other species.

Hot air balloon safaris offer a unique perspective of the Serengeti’s landscapes and wildlife from above. Drifting silently over the plains at dawn, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the savannah, rivers, and wildlife below, including herds of animals moving across the landscape. Hot air balloon safaris often include a champagne breakfast served in the bush after landing.

It is also possible to visit the Oldupai Gorge (archaeological site), climb the volcano – OI Doinyo Lengai, view the flamingos at Lake Natron as well as visit Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria.