Serengeti National park
Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and famous for wildebeest migration. Serengeti National Park is also the largest National Park in Tanzania and one of the most spectacular parks in the world, the Serengeti covers 14763 square kilometers.
Serengeti meaning “Endless Plains” in the local Maasai language is a world heritage site and Tanzania’s oldest and most popular National park. The Serengeti National Park has also been proclaimed as one of the 7 wonders of the world. The Serengeti consists of a variety of different habitats, including grassland plains, kopjes, riverine forest, swamps and woodlands, supporting a high variety of wildlife species. The Serengeti National Park can be divided into three distinct sections, the Western Corridor, the Northern Lobo area that extends northwards to the Maasai Mara and the Seronera Valley and Seronera River area.
North of Serengeti National Park we have Grumeti Game Reserve which is comprised of diverse and breathtaking African wilderness. The area is teeming with local wildlife and is ideally situated in the direct path of the migration route that is traveled by millions of animals each year between June and September. The Game Reserve covers an area of some 2,000 square km and is a key part of the valuable Serengeti Masai Mara eco-system, which sustains life in the region.
Wildlife
Wildlife viewing in the Serengeti National park and the Great Wildebeest Migration is tremendous! Nowhere on earth is there a sight rival the spectacle of 1.5 million hoofed animals on the march. Vast herds of buffalo, eland, topi, waterbuck, impala, kongoni and Grant’s gazelle can be seen grazing in the thousands. The Serengeti is famous not only for its migrating wildebeest and herbivores but also for its high concentration of big cats and other predators that these grazers attract. The Serengeti is also home to smaller cats, such as the caracal and serval, as well as jackal, fox, mongoose and genet. Other species found in this wilderness area include crocodiles, hedgehogs, shrews, agama lizards, snakes and dung beetles. Africa’s Big Five are also abundant in the Serengeti, with giraffe, warthog, baboons and African Wild Dogs also inhabiting this great safari destination park.
The Wandamu River in Seronera is believed to hold the highest density of cheetahs, Lobo and Grumeti River areas provides spectacular wildlife experiences.
Birding
The Serengeti hosts around 500 bird species, including black eagle, secretary bird, Kori bustard, shrikes, ostrich, crowned crane and marabou stork.. Some of them are Eurasian migrants who are present in the European winter months from October to April.
Serengeti national park offers one the opportunity to enjoy day and Night Game Drive in an safari vehicle, guided nature walks through the local habitat and local naturalist guide, photographic Safari for big game and migration of the wildebeest not forgetting the scenic sceneries, birding safaris and walks in the company of a skilled local guide, balloon Safari, Sundowner game drives or just relax at the camp or lodge
Getting there
Serengeti National Park has several airstrip and scheduled flights from Arusha, Dar Es Salaam and Kilimanjaro international airport. One can also charter a flight to Serengeti national park. The most popular way though is by 4×4 safari drive vehicles either on self drive safari or in an organized safari.