Serengeti National Park
The wide endless plains as well as the amazing wild voices of Mother Nature whispering in the open is what makes the Serengeti National Park perhaps one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in the entire world. it has one of the world’s oldest eco-system on the planet with evidence of early existence of early man here at the Olduvai Gorge. This eco-system stretches over wider area and encompasses the Kenya’s Maasai Mara as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with various types of animals moving freely over these vast lands covering more than s 25,000 km2 area.
the Serengeti is Tanzania’s most popular as well as the oldest national park. it is among the world’s heritage site and not long ago was proclaimed as the 7th world’s natural wonder because of the internationally fames annual wildebeest migration that includes over one million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras as well as over 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles matching across the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pastures and water. Besides the migration, the Serengeti offers one of the most fascinating game viewing experiences on the African continent with thousands and thousands of different animals including buffaloes, Grant’s gazelles, giraffes, kongoni, elands, impalas, elephants as well as topi. There are four (4) different sectors within the park and these include: the Southern Plains, Northern Serengeti, Seronera (in the Centre) as well as the Western Corridor.
The Southern Plains: also known as the “classic Serengeti” comprises of flat open plains with short grass.
the Seronera: found immediately north of the southern plains is popular for its kopjes, open plains, as well as the resident animals including several lions, cheetahs as well as leopards.
The Western Corridor: this extends west towards Lake Victoria, and its home to river Grumeti as well as river Mbalageti that support thick vegetation and ever-green riparian forest.
The northern Serengeti: which comprises of a gently rolling terrain is the perfect place to see the dramatic well documented scene as the animals in the annual migration cross over River Mara.
What to do in Serengeti National Park
there are a number of activities to do while in this park among which are: Game drives to see different animals, a Hot-air balloon safari, Cultural tourism, Lodging, walking safaris, Camping as well as picnicking You can also visit the neighboring places of interest such as the Ngorongoro Crater, the flamingos on Lake Natron’s, Olduvai Gorge and the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano.
What Animals to see in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is home to a large number and a great variety of wild animals with the biggest tourist attraction here being the annual wildebeest migration that includes over one million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras as well as over 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles. There is also a large population of predators including 3000 to 4000 lions, several hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. other animals include: Topi, Elands, Hartebeests, Buffaloes, Elephants, Caracals, Servals, Bat-eared foxes, Hyraxs, Genets, Hares, Porcupine, Aardvarks, Giraffes, Jackals, Mongoose, Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Aardwolf, in addition to several primates like Colobus monkeys, baboons and the velvet monkeys not forgetting the numerous bird species.
Best time to visit the Serengeti National Park
The park can be visited all year round however for those of you interested in watching and following the wildebeest migration the best time to do so is from December to July. and then to see the predators is from June to October.
Where is Serengeti National Park and it’s size
Serengeti National Park covers a total area of 14,763 square kilometers (or 5,700 square miles). it covers 14% of Tanzania’s land area and its nearly the size of Northern-Ireland. it is located 335 kilometers from Arusha.
How to get to Serengeti National Park
there are a number of scheduled as well as charter flights connecting from Arusha, Mwanza, Lake Manyara, Moshi as well as Karatu. Alternatively you can access the park by road connecting from the Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara as well as Moshi
Where to stay on a Safari in Tanzania
There are a number of accommodation facilities where visitors can be accommodated and these range from budget, mid-range to Luxury facilities. Among these are: Serengeti safari lodge, Serengeti Serena Lodge, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Kirurumu Serengeti Camp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Naskia Central Camp, Buffalo Luxury Camp, Asanja Africa, Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Masek Under Canvas, Ang’ata Serengeti Camp, Serengeti Migration Camp among several others.