Serengeti National Park

“The Place Where Land Runs Forever"

Overview

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its vibrant and unique ecosystem. Over 350,000 holidaymakers visit the park each year. Serengeti means “the place where the land runs forever” or “endless plains.” The park is located in Tanzania and covers an area of 5,700 square miles(14,750sq km). Its pristine wilderness is covered with savannah, woodland, grassland, and riverine forest. Despite most of the park being open plains, the elevation changes from 3,000 to 6,000 feet(914 to 1,828m). Serengeti is home to the Big Five (elephant, “the world's largest land animal,” leopard, “the prince of darkness”; lion, “king of the savannah,” buffalo, “not quite the lazy,” and rhino, “the pre-historic heavyweight).

Serengeti is well known for the most significant concentration of predators globally, including over 1,000 African leopards, 3,000 lions, and approximately 8,000 spotted hyenas. Serengeti Mara is the best location to witness the Wildebeest crossing. Visiting Serengeti, you will have a chance to see the lofty rock croppings spawn visions of the movie “Lion King”, and if you are lucky enough, you might see some lions resting at the top.

The park is divided into four regions: Northern Serengeti, Serengeti Plains or Southern Eastern Plains & Ndutu, Seronera, & South Central Serengeti Plains and The Western Corridor.

The Serengeti National Park Highlight:
Wildebeest Migration - The great wildebeest migration happens from July to October. It is dubbed “ the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth.” If your visit coincides with this phenomenal event, you will witness over 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River.

Highlights:
Serengeti National Park

The Big Five

Serengeti is home to the famous “Big Five” (Elephant “the world's largest land animal,” Leopard “the prince of darkness”), Lion King of Savannah”, Buffalo” not quite the lazy”, & Rhino “the pre-historic heavyweight).
Highlights:
Serengeti National Park

Wildebeest Migration

Wildebeest migration is dubbed as the “greatest wildlife spectacle on earth,”.Suppose your travel coincides with the migration period. In that case, you will witness over 1.5 million wildebeest, approximately 500,000 gazelles, and around 250,000 zebra and other tens of thousands of hartebeest, topi, and impala migrating from the southern part of Serengeti heading north to cross the famous Mara River into Masai Mara in Kenya looking for greener pastures with their young ones. Watch as the lions and hyenas wait patiently and are ready to pounce in the unforgiving landscape while the crocodiles enjoy a feast in the Mara River, preying on the weak ones. It is all about survival of the fittest. It is a must-see safari adventure with an unforgettable experience.
Highlights:
Serengeti National Park

Calving Season

The calving of baby wildebeest in the Serengeti happens between mid-January and the end of March on the southern side of the Serengeti. Other wildlife calving at the same time include thousands of zebras and gazelles. An estimated 8,000 baby wildebeest are born every day at the start of the rainy season.

Northern Serengeti

The Northern Serengeti forms a corridor for great migration, connecting the green season short grass plains in the south and the dry-up season in the north. The great wildebeest migration happens from July to October. Serengeti Mara is the best location to witness the crossing. An estimated two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles gather on one side of the Mara River, waiting to cross before one brave wildebeest takes on the challenge of crossing with others following behind the migration, hence dubbed as “the greatest wildlife show on earth.”Serengeti's north area is immaculate, has magnificent views, and is much quieter than Southern Serengeti.

Northern Serengeti has the most significant population of elephant herds, specifically in the Lobo area, compared to other parts of the park. If you want to encounter big cats, such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, you can easily spot them along Lobo Hills when on a game drive.

Serengeti Plains or South Eastern Plains and Ndutu

The southern, eastern part of Serengeti is brimmed with wildlife all year round, with a peak period between December and April as the plethora of wildlife follows the seasonal rains. Ndutu area is a breeding ground for wildebeests in their millions each year. At least 8,000 baby wildebeests are born daily during the Calving Season in February. The area is bound to attract human traffic with all the action. Other wildlife calving at the same time include thousands of zebras and gazelles. The young ones become a magnet to predators, and the southern Serengeti becomes the dramatic scene of the survival of the fittest. The best place to spot wildlife is around Lake Ndutu. In the “low season”, from April to November, the southeastern plains and Ndutu areas are quiet, and the place is tranquil for those seeking serenity. The months become dry, but the perennial Masek Lake in Ngorongoro and Ndutu Lake support scores of wildlife.

Seronera and South Central Serengeti Plains

Seronera is at the heart of Serengeti National Park and is known as the predator capital of the world. From December to April, the area has abundant wildlife following the rains. Central Serengeti is famous for wildlife viewing as vast herds of wildebeest flock to the area, and game drives happen along Seronera River, where sighting of lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and leopards is almost guaranteed. The best time for wildlife viewing is during the peak months of March and May. Due to the area's popularity arising from great accessibility, a bountiful amount of wildlife, and excellent facilities, the area can be expensive to visit, especially during the peak months, and it also becomes overcrowded.

The Western Corridor, or West Serengeti

The area is covered by black clay with a stretch of land following the course of the Grumeti River from Serengeti Central, covering 100km towards Lake Victoria. Grumeti River and Mbalageti River are the main dominant feature of the western corridor. The views are outstanding and support an abundance of wildlife. The best time to visit the area is from May to July, coinciding with the Great Wildebeest Migration, dubbed “ the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth,” crossing the western corridor into Kenya via the Mara River. The sighting of this event is breathtaking as you spectate the wildebeest tackling their first obstacle, the Grumeti River. Expect to see some resident populations of giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, elephants, and cheetahs.

The Western Corridor has less traffic and has a few lodges and camps. It is a perfect area and a serene environment if you don’t like congestion. However, during the peak migration season, May and July, the place becomes quite busy with built-up mobile camps. We advise our clients to book the accommodation in advance as the last-minute booking is impossible. Also, remember that hotels and lodges are pretty expensive, most catering for luxury travel. However, there are budget camps located at the boundaries of the park. The western corridor is also home to many crocodiles and hippopotamuses. There is a hippo pool that guarantees a must-see of hippos wallowing around. Balloon Safaris takes place from June to October.

Experience the Serengeti National Park

Serengeti’s immense landscape is simply stunning. This big-sky, untamed wilderness is renowned for its grassland plains punctuated with rocky outcrops (koppies) in the southeast. The Western Corridor follows the Grumeti and Mbalageti Rivers with associated riverine forests toward Lake Victoria, while the Lobo Hills area is characterized by big granite boulders reaching up in the sky. Farther north the Mara River sets the scene for the infamous river crossings, the ultimate highlight of the wildebeest migration.

Game drives in Serengeti are highly productive. Depending on your program, you can structure the day around two separate game drives (morning and afternoon) or go out for a full day with a picnic lunch. Budget permitting, you could mix it up with a hot-air balloon safari. Who doesn’t want to experience the Serengeti from the sky? After landing, you’ll be treated to a champagne breakfast in the bush. Night drives and guided walks are also offered at some camps and lodges.

Best time to visit: Serengeti National Park

Wildlife Experience

There is a plethora of wildlife in Serengeti, making it one of the top destinations for safaris, which include The Big 5 (elephant, “the world's largest land animal,” leopard, “the prince of darkness,” lion, “king of the savannah,” buffalo, “ not quite the lazy,” and rhino, “the pre-historic heavyweight). The Big Cats( lion “cheetah & leopard). Other animals include giraffes, zebra, wildebeests, crocodiles, hippos, impala, grant gazelle, spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, African wild dogs, warthog, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, African python, black mamba, spitting cobra, puff adder, bat-eared fox, hyraxes, etc. Serengeti is home to the most significant concentration of predators globally, including over 1,000 African leopards, 3,000 lions, and approximately 8,000 spotted hyenas. At least 8,000 baby wildebeest are born every day in February Calving Season.

Birdlife

Serengeti hosts more than 500 species of birds, making it a perfect destination for avid birders. If you are a typical birder and have specific birds that you may wish to see, with its endless plains, the west corridor has diverse vegetation that favours a birdlife ecosystem with open savannah, whistling thorns, acacia trees, grassland, and a riverine forest along the Grumeti River. Serengeti is home to “Serengeti Specials,” which are endemic to the park and not found anywhere else. They include Schalow’s wheatear, Schalow’s turaco, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike and red-throated tit.

Kori bustard, black herons, martial eagle, Tanzania red-billed hornbill, Egyptian geese, Masai ostrich, crowned cranes, hamerkrops, secretary bird, black herons, marabou stork, lesser flamingo, etc. Unlike game viewing, which can be done at any time of the year, the best time for birding is during the rainy season. More prolonged rains are from March to May, and the shorter rains are from November. During this period, Serengeti received migratory birds from Europe and other parts of the world. The best place for birding safaris is the Seronera area, the central part of the park, which also hosts more nocturnal birds. Lake Ndutu is for vultures and secretary birds, and Lobo Hills is for birds of prey like eagles.

Best time to visit

Even though the perception of Africa is primarily hot, the Serengeti climate is relatively mild and pleasant. The minimum and maximum temperature varies with season. The wet season is the warmest. The temperatures around the Seronera area in Serengeti rarely rise above 37° C /99° F on a given hot day. At the same time, the wet season rarely falls below 13° C/55°F on a cold morning in the dry season.

Serengeti is an all-year-round park that one can visit anytime. Serengeti is extensive. Therefore, a minimum of 3-4 nights stay is recommended for an excellent wildlife view.

The dry months of June to October and December to April are the best times to visit Serengeti National Park. June to October: The dry months of the year are considered the best time to go on safari to Serengeti.

December to April is another peak season for tourists. Many tourists visit the southern side of Serengeti to see the calving of wildebeests and catch a glimpse of the adorable baby animals.

Wet season: November to December and March to May: The months are unpleasant for visiting the park due to “short rains” in November and “long rains” from March to May.

Getting There?

By Air: You can board a light aircraft for Serengeti Fly-In Safaris from Kilimanjaro International Airport(JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). It takes 1-5 hours to get to your nearest Serengeti airstrip. Upon arrival, you will be met by your lodge or camp representative and transferred to your final destination. The drive to your lodge or bush camp can take about 45 minutes to two hours; however, you won't get bored; there are many animals to see along the way, giving you a slight introduction to the adventure that awaits you. There are currently seven airstrips in Serengeti. If you stay in a more exclusive lodge, you might have access to direct private charter flights, so you don’t have to wait long.

By Road: Safari by road is the most popular means of travel, using an open roof 4x4 Safari Landcruiser. The drive from Arusha to Serengeti takes approximately 6-8 hours. But you can combine Serengeti Safari with other parks along the way. From Arusha to Seronera, or the Central part of the Serengeti, the drive is about 350km, approximately 5-6 hours. If you are heading to the western corridor near Grumeti River, the distance is 460 km, taking about 6-7 hours to drive from Arusha.

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