Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is situated in the northern part of Tanzania within Northern Tanzania circuit and is amongst the largest protected areas that were established in the year 1951 occupying an area of 14,750 square kilometers which consists 3 parts including the northern region known as Lobo area that runs way from Seronera to the areas bordering Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya. Lobo area comprises of woodlands and hills. Another part of Serengeti national park is the southern part that consists of Serengeti plains basically known as the area where land goes on forever. The vegetation cover in Serengeti plains is basically savanna grassland and few scattered tress that make is the best part of the park to visit for game drive adventure while on a Tanzania safari to Serengeti national park. The southern part of Serengeti national park also acts as the calving ground for the wildebeests in the months of December to march. The remaining part is the western corridor that mainly consists of both savanna grassland and woodland vegetation cover crossed by the river Grumeti which deposits black clay at the shores of the river within the marshy grasslands where several mammals, primates and different bird species are seen including the wildebeests during the migration process in the months of May and June.
Attractions in Serengeti national park
Wildlife: The wildlife in Serengeti national park includes primates such as Patas monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Colobus monkeys, olive baboons, over 300 species of mammals such as a huge population of wildebeests that are always on migration, zebras, elands, impalas, Topis, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, mongoose, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, lesser kudus, dik dik, duikers, antelopes, hyenas, rhinos, kongoni, waterbucks, jackals, foxes, porcupines and more, reptiles such as crocodiles, lizards, snakes, lizards, chameleons and more than 500 species of birds such as Ostrich, bustard birds, secretary birds, starlings, hornbills, crowned cranes, lesser flamingos, vultures, eagles, storks, lovebirds etc. this makes Serengeti national park the best destination in Tanzania for wildlife viewing safaris.
Kopjes: Apart from wildlife, the part thrills with other beautiful attractions which include Moru kopjes which act as resting places for several wildlife in the park including rhinos, and other mammals that are seen taking a shade under scotching sun. The kopjes also act as hiding places for predators that usually take a cover there awaiting to grab other mammals in target for the next meal.
Hippo pool: this hippo pool is yet another places to visit in Serengeti national park when one is sure of spotting a huge school of hippos bathing in retina hippo pool. This pool offers a clear view of other wildlife species that visit the pool frequently to quench their thirst.
Rivers: Serengeti national park is crossed by a good number of rivers including river Grumeti were the wildebeests cross over during their migration. The river also attracts other several wildlife due to fresh vegetation cover along its shores. The river acts as a hub for several bird species in the park including king fishers, vultures, eagles among others.
Olduvai Gorge: this gorge is also amongst the beautiful tourist attractions in Serengeti national park being the place where remains of the early man were discovered.
Top things to do/ tourist activities in Serengeti national park
Game drive in Serengeti national park: this is always the best way to explore the magnificent Serengeti national park. An early game drive enables one to spot the nocturnal wildlife that is usually seen very early in the morning and late in the evening and these include Leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, lions. apart from hunters and nocturnal , game drive also offers a great opportunity to view several wildlife in the park including primates such as olive baboons and other monkey species, mammals such as elephants, rhinos, hippos, elands, wildebeests, impalas, gazelles and many others. The best spots for game drive safaris in Serengeti national park include within the Serengeti plains, lobo areas, among others.
Guided nature walk in Serengeti national park: being one of the largest national parks in Tanzania obviously has a lot to offer thus taking a guided nature walk enables tourists to view different species of fauna and flora closely. Most accommodations in Serengeti national park actually offer these walking safaris. To enjoy this safari, one needed to be guided by the armed rangers for safety purposes.
Wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park: this is the top thing done in Serengeti national park with most especially during the months of July to September when the wildebeests are crossing the Mara River to enjoy green pasture in Masai Mara national park. However, the migration does not consist of river crossing but the entire process right from calving in Serengeti national park to mating in Masai Mara seasonally. The wildebeest migration can be enjoyed at any given period of time following their movement and rain pattern.
Hot air balloon in Serengeti national park: this is another way of exploring the Serengeti plains from above. A hot air balloon in Serengeti national park is enjoyed in two shifts that is sunrise hot air balloon that is done in the morning to watch the sunrise while viewing the good population of wildlife from above as they graze on fresh vegetation cover with an opportunity to watch the nocturnal wildlife returning to their hiding places. The sunrise hot air balloon it comes with bush breakfast and a bottle of champagne upon landing. Another kind of hot air balloon carried out in Serengeti national park is the evening or sunset hot air balloon. Have you ever thought of having your engagement, your birthday, your wedding or any other happy moment done in the wilderness of Serengeti national park up in the skies within a hot air? It’s indeed worthless.
Bush dinner in Serengeti national park: another way to experience the beauty of Serengeti national park is by taking a bush dinner under the open sky and surrounded by nature. This bush dinner included BBQ, and other cuisine that are enjoyed away from the lodge just with in the wilderness using the candles and camp fire under stars and moon.
Other activities include; camping amidst wildlife, Exploring Moru kopjes where a good number of mammal species including predators that normally use these kopjes as their hiding places, visiting the hippo pools, bird watching as the park thrills with over 500 species of birds, staying in a luxury tented camp, community tours to interact with the local Masai people and many more.
