Tanzania Wildlife Safari in Serengeti National Park : The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World heritage site and the most popular in Tanzania. It is located in the North Eastern part of the country and covers an area of about 30,000 sq. km. 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. Serengeti means “Endless plains” among the Maasai.
The Serengeti National Park was established in 1952 and is part of Ngorongoro conservation area. This stunning park is encompassing of by endless plains which are dotted with kopjes, rivers and acacia trees. More so, the park home to an impressive number of wildlife including the big 5 mammals (elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards and lions), wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, African dogs, hippos, crocodiles and over 450 species of birds.
Tourist attractions in Serengeti National Park
Great Migration
The annual Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park is a once-in-a-life experience that draws millions to visitors. Each year, a massive herd of roughly two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travel across the Serengeti in search of fresh grass and water. This journey occurs every year, mainly between June and September, when the herds move through the open grasslands. The wildebeest migration is a natural wonder the showcase stunning natural landscape but also the thrilling predator-prey dynamics as lions, crocodiles, and hyenas wait for a chance to feast. The wildebeest migration attracts tourists to the Serengeti because it offers countless opportunities to witness the great battles between prey and predator.
Wildlife
Beside the Great Migration, Serengeti National Park is also home to Big Five animals such as lion, buffalo, leopard, black and white rhinoceros, and elephants. Other mammals include cheetah, spotted hyenas, black backed jackal, African golden wolf, honey badger, Reptiles like Nile crocodiles, leopard tortoise, Nile monitor, Jackson’s chameleon, black mamba among others
While visiting Serengeti National Park, you may be able to sight a magnificent number of bird species accounting to over 500 species of birds. Some of the bird species that you may see this remarkable park includes, which include the Grey-rumped spurfowl, Fischer’s lovebird, and the babbler-like Rufous-tailed weaver, call the park home among other species, which are so interesting and wonderful. While Serengeti national park, there are different locations where visitors can go and have the best birding experiences. These include the Ngorongoro famed conservation sector, the Ikorongo reserve, the Seronera central area, Loliondo area and Grumeti area of the Serengeti National Park.
Tourist Activities in Serengeti National Park
Game drives
Game drives is one of the main safaris highlight to Tanzania wildlife safari in Serengeti National Park. this exciting activity offers visitors an incredible opportunity to see some of the most fascinating wildlife on the planet. During your game drive safari, you’ll have a chance to encounter the best wild game, including the big 5 animals of the Serengeti National Park, which include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards. In addition to these creatures, the early morning game drives in Serengeti national park, you will also have the chance to encounter other animals such as topis, the hyenas, the cheetahs, the wildebeest, the Masai giraffe, the zebras, and elands, among others. 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.
Early morning game drive to see also nocturnal animals returning from hunting and lions awaking in the dawn followed by a full day of game drives around Serengeti. Depending on the time of year and the Great Migration and the movements of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species.
Night game drives also offer travelers a chance to observe zebras, hyenas, impala, giraffes, jackals and foxes. Lions, hyenas and Leopards are very active at night. It is the best time to spot them take down prey.
Seeing the great migration
Seeing the great migration in Serengeti national park is a memorable safari adventure and the main highlight to a safari in the park. this remarkable event annually happens between the months of June to October which involves the movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests and thousands of Zebras migrating from the southern parts of Serengeti National Park plains and Ngorongoro crater to the southern parts of Masai Mara National Park in Kenya and back to Serengeti National Park. The migration starts in early February or March in South Ndutu, just before calving season, when many calves are born. While on a Serengeti wildebeest migration tour, you’ll also encounter with other carnivore animals to ease their search for food like Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions. It’s an unpredictable and breathtaking natural spectacle.
Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater
Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater is a must safari adventure while on Tanzania wildlife safari in Serengeti National Park. the crater was Once a part of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater now belongs to the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This remarkable place is home to over 30,000 large mammals and has often been described as a “garden of Eden” for wildlife. Long ago, a massive volcano about the same size as Mount Kilimanjaro erupted and then collapsed on itself, for the crater we see today. During your visit, you will have the chance to embark on a guided game drives where you’ll be treated with the sights of different wildlife such as leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, warthogs, impala, buffaloes, hartebeest, eland, reedbuck and Thompson gazelles, as well as different bird species like White Storks, swallows, Yellow Wagtails and more.
Birding safari
Serengeti National Park is one of the recommended birding safaris in Tanzania. The park is home to over 500 species of birds, among 100 of them are permanent residents of the park while 11 are endemic to the Serengeti. During your birding safari, you’ll have the chance to spot birds such as Decken-Toko Tockus, Grey-breasted spurfowl, Grey-headed sparrow, Purple Grenadier, Red-backed scrub, Rufous-tailed weaver, Secretary birds, The Kori bustard, Variable Sunbird, White-bellied go-away bird, White-crowned shrike, Yellow-throated sandgrouse, great African Ostrich, vultures, Black-headed Heron, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Dark Chanting Goshawk and more. Birding safaris in the park is best done during the wet months of November and April. This time is when the migratory birds that visit the park.
A Hot air balloon safaris
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the vastness of Serengeti National Park, we strongly suggest taking a hot air balloon safari, provided it fits your budget. Floating high above the ground gives you an incredible view of the sprawling grasslands and the wildlife that roams below. These balloon rides are particularly popular during the wildebeest migration, when you can witness thousands of animals moving across the landscape. Hot air balloon safaris start in the morning and ends with champagne breakfast in the African wilderness. Hot air balloons can take between 12 to 16 people. Hot air balloon safaris can make for an unforgettable way to celebrate special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays, or even for newlyweds wishing to create lasting memories. During your balloon safaris in the Serengeti national park, you’ll have the chance to get a clear bird-eye view of the Serengeti plains and Africa’s famous wildlife.
Meals in the Bush
If you’re traveling with someone special or thinking about spending your honeymoon in the Serengeti, sharing a meal in the heart of the African wilderness will create unforgettable memories. Many top hotels can organize a dinner for you beneath the stars, complete with beautifully set tables.
Guided Nature walks
Guided nature walks offer a unique chance to explore the Serengeti that you can’t experience during a typical game drive. Unlike those rides, these walks take you off the beaten path, where you can see a variety of flora and fauna on foot. During your guided nature walks, you 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.
Experience the Maasai
The Maasai people are known for their unique lifestyle as semi-nomadic herders, primarily found in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. They are arguably the most known East African tribal group. Characterized by their tall stature and vibrant clothing, the Maasai have called the Serengeti plains home for the past 300 years, having moved from Sudan. They still believe in their ancient traditional practices and values. A visit to one their villages or “bomas” a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in this culture.
The Maasai are warm and welcoming, eager to share their skills with visitors. During your Maasai cultural experience, you’ll have a chance to learn how they hunt, milk domestic animals, cook traditional food and much more. In addition to visiting their home, you can also visit one of the local schools, attend traditional dance performances and buy handicrafts.
Where to stay in Serengeti National Park
Where to stay on safari is an important consideration when planning a trip to any location, and Serengeti National Park has a variety of convenience offices where visitors may stay, including luxury facilities, midrange facilities, and budget facilities. Among the facilities includes Mwiba River Lodge, Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti Lodge, Singita Sasakwa Lodge and Zawadi Serengeti Safari Lodge.
When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park
the best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October. During this time, the weather is cooler and the skies are clear, making it ideal for wildlife viewing. The dry season also coincides with the Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park, so you may witness large herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing. However, if you prefer to see the lush greenery and newborn wildlife, the wet season from November to May might be more suitable for you, although the roads can be challenging to navigate during this time.
