Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most popular parks in Tanzania. It’s the largest protected area in the country, located in the North Eastern part of Tanzania. The park covers about 14,769square kilometers. To the north of the park is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the west are two Game Reserves Ikorongo and Grumeti and to the Southwest is the Maswa Game Reserve. The name “Serengeti” means “Endless plains” in the Maasai language. The Serengeti National Park was established in 1952 and at that point included the Ngorongoro conservation area. The park is characterized by endless plains which are dotted with kopjes, rivers and acacia trees. It is famous for hosting the largest animal’s migration in the world, where over 1.5 million blue wildebeest and the Ngorongoro 250,000 zebra along with smaller herds of Thomson’s gazelle and elands. The park is also home to the largest of the 5 big mammals more son lion, other iconic animals include elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards and lions. Other animals you might see include hyenas, giraffes, African wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, and more than 500 species of birds.
Discover Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is one of the best national parks in Tanzania where to spend a holiday, it is the oldest and one of the largest National Parks in Tanzania. Serengeti National Park is the most visited park in Tanzania famous for the massive migration of Wildebeests and large herds of animals including Zebras, Elephants, and towers of Giraffes. Serengeti remains the best place in Tanzania and East Africa to film Lions and Wildebeests.
Serengeti National Park Safaris
The Serengeti National Park was established in 1952 and initially included the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The park is known for its vast open plains that have rocky outcrops, rivers, and acacia trees. This landscape provides a habitat for the Big Five mammals, such as elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, and lions, as well as wildebeests, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, African dogs, hippos, crocodiles, and over 500 different species of birds. The main attractions in the Serengeti are the Wildebeest Migration, the Hippo Pool, the Bologonja Springs, Seronera Valley, the Grumeti River, game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and bird watching, among others. We will now discuss all of them in more detail.
3 Days Serengeti National Park Safari
3 Days Ndutu Migration Safari Tour
3 Days Tarangire and Serengeti Safari
4 days Zanzibar and Serengeti safari
5 Days Ngorongoro and Serengeti Safari
4 days Kilimanjaro hike and Serengeti safari
Activities to Do in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti offers a variety of fun tourism activities for visitors looking to enjoy the amazing experience! Some of these include hot air balloons, game drives, filming and photographic safaris, walking safaris, bush meals, and cultural tourism among others.
Game Drives:
Game drives are a key highlight of a Tanzania wildlife safari, especially in the Serengeti National Park. This thrilling experience allows visitors to witness some of the planet’s most amazing animals up close. While on your game drive safari, you’ll have a chance to spot the “Big Five,” such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards. These amazing game drive safaris in the park are best done in the early morning and late afternoon hours. These safari game drives are done in all sections of the park, but most prominently in the Seronera Valley, with the highest concentration of animals.
Birding:
One of the top spots for birding safaris in Tanzania is Serengeti National Park. This incredible park is home to more than 500 species of birds; among them, 100 are permanent residents of the park, while 11 are endemic to the Serengeti. While you’re on your birding adventure, you might see interesting birds such as white-faced whistling-duck, Egyptian goose, spur-winged goose, African pygmy-goose, Pangani longclaw, plain-backed pipit, western yellow wagtail, African pied wagtail etc.
Guided nature walks:
Guided nature walks provide a special opportunity to discover the Serengeti National Park in a way that’s different from a typical game drive. During your guided nature walks, your guide will lead you to a rich spot where you’ll see reptiles, birds, insects, and other rare plants along the way. Most nature walks are organized by some of the accommodation facilities. You will be escorted by an armed ranger who is experienced in the terrain and knows about the different species in the park.
Maasai Village Tours.
The Maasai people lead a fascinating life as semi-nomadic herders, mainly residing in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. They are one of the most recognized tribal groups in East Africa. Known for their tall figures and colorful attire, the Maasai have inhabited the Serengeti plains for about 300 years after migrating from Sudan. They continue to hold onto their ancient traditions and values. Visiting one of their villages, called a “boma,” offers a wonderful opportunity to dive into their culture. The Maasai are friendly and welcoming, excited to share their way of life with visitors. During your cultural visit, you can learn how they hunt, milk their animals, prepare traditional meals, and much more.
Attractions in Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park was established in 1952 and initially included the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The park is known for its vast open plains that have rocky outcrops, rivers, and acacia trees. This landscape provides a habitat for the Big Five mammals, such as elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, and lions, as well as wildebeests, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, African dogs, hippos, crocodiles, and over 500 different species of birds. The main attractions in the Serengeti are the Wildebeest Migration, the Hippo Pool, the Bologonja Springs, Seronera Valley, the Grumeti River, game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and bird watching, among others. We will now discuss all of them in more detail.
The Retina Hippo pool:
The Retina Hippo pool is the major attraction for visitors looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Serengeti National Park. The Retina Hippo pool is located in the park’s central area; this pool is a great spot for swimming and observing wildlife. It’s formed where the Seronera River and Orangio River meet, making it a perfect habitat for more than 200 hippos. The pool is found in the Seronera sector of the park, and it offers you a chance to observe them and take great photos. Tourists are allowed to explore the pool on foot as they watch the hippos fight for the best spots. The dry season provides visitors with a wonderful and ideal time to enjoy the wonderful safari views and pictures of the hippos found within the Retima Hippo Pool.
The Grumeti River:
The Grumeti River, found in the western section of Serengeti National Park, is a great spot for tourists who want to experience the multitude of wild animals that gather by its banks to drink. While on a safari in the Grumeti area, visitors can expect to see wildebeests and zebras. The river is also home to various wildlife, including Nile crocodiles, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, and panthers. Additionally, many different species of birds can be observed around the Grumeti River.
Wildebeests:
One of the top tourist attractions in Serengeti National Park is the wildebeest migration. Every year, many visitors who come to Tanzania for safari are eager to witness this incredible event. Along with the wildebeest, there are also zebras and gazelles that join in on the migration. The wildebeest migration attracts tourists to the Serengeti because it offers countless opportunities to witness the great battles between prey and predator. These animals travel long distances, depending on the weather, especially during the rainy season. This great movement happens in different zones of the Serengeti National Park, and the wildebeest move in a circular form, which varies from one month to another. The migration kicks off in the Ndutu region, located in the southern part of the park, during the calving season.
How to get to Serengeti National Park
To get to Serengeti National Park, most people take a flight from either Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport to one of the park’s airstrips. Another option is to enjoy a beautiful road trip from Arusha, which usually takes around 10 to 12 hours. For an easier experience, you can also join a guided tour.
Best Time Visit to Serengeti National Park
The ideal times to explore Serengeti National Park are during the dry months of January to February and again from June to October. During these periods, animals flock to rivers and waterholes to drink. It’s also the peak of the Great Migration, giving you a great chance to see the amazing river crossing.
Serengeti National Park has various places to stay that cater to different tastes and financial plans. Some of the lodging options available include Lamai Camp, Singita Faru Bush Tops Camp, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Melia Serengeti Lodge, Mbali Mail Soroi Serengeti Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Mwiba Lodge, Namiri Plains, Sanctuary Kichakani Camp, and Serengeti Bushtops Luxury Tented Camp, among others.
Plan your Tanzania Safari to Serengeti National Park Now!
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