Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is undeniably the crown jewel of Tanzania and it is the country’s second largest National Park. If you count in the extensive buffer zones and wildlife corridors surrounding the park, it comprises a coherent ecosystem with a vital role in the survival of one of the world’s last remaining animal migrations.
The park is located in Northern Tanzania and borders the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the south and Kenya’s Masai Mara in the north. This National Park holds the highest wildlife population in the world and offers outstanding game viewings all year around. In order to preserve this gem for future generations, Serengeti was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1981.
Serengeti, with its annual and dramatic Great Wildebeest Migration, is one of the few places on earth whose name resonates throughout the world. You can spend days inside the park witnessing iconic animals but still feel like you have not seen it all. Every day is different and the enormous wealth of wildlife and the diverse landscapes will take your breath away.
Main Facts
> established in 1951 with a size of 14,763 km²
Best Time
> all year around
Common Animals
> Antelopes: gazelle, wildebeest (more than 1.5 million)
> Big Five: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, rhino (rarely seen)
> Birds: more than 500 species incl. large raptors, endemic birds
> Cats: cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs (rarely seen)
> Mammals: giraffe, hippo, warthog, zebra
> Primates: baboon, black-and-white-colobus, blue monkey
Activities
> game drives
> hot air balloon ride
> museum visit
> walking safari
Expectations
> top wildlife game viewing destination throughout the year
> famous for its annual wildebeest migration
> Crossing Season of Grumeti and Mara River between June to October
> incredible scenery – endless grass plains with an authentic Africa feeling
> superb location for spotting predators
> paradise for ornithologists
Further Details – Serengeti National Park
Vegetation
The Serengeti ecosystem – with a size of 14,763 km² – is comprised of a wide set of habitats. There are seemingly endless grass plains with unique kopjes in the south; open acacia plains and river banks fringed by palm trees in the heart of Serengeti; muddy and woody savanna land along with the Grumeti River in the west, as well as open woodlands and the legendary Mara River in the north.
Wildlife
Serengeti National Park has the largest concentration of wildlife in the world. It is also home to Africa’s ‘Big Five’ – buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino, though rhinos are rarely seen. With an estimated 9000 hyenas, 3000 lions, 1000 leopards and 250 cheetahs, Serengeti has the largest concentration of predators.
The park is world-renowned for its annual Great Wildebeest Migration of roughly 1.5 million wildebeests. They are joined by about 500.000 zebras and 200.000 gazelles as they take the trek of their life – following the rain through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem – always in search of fresh grass.
Furthermore, Serengeti is also home to more than 500 bird species including bee-eaters, hoopoes, horn-bills, kingfishers, lovebirds, ostriches to name just a few.
Southern Serengeti (January to March)
The southern plains of Serengeti lead into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area – an endless grass scenery interrupted only by massive granite formations called kopjes. The most famous ones are Simba, Gol and Moru – the perfect resting place for leopards and lions. Resident game includes elephants, gazelles, giraffes, as well as caracals, foxes and jackals.
Central Serengeti (year-round safari destination)
The Seronera Valley is the heart of Serengeti – open grass plains dotted with acacia trees. The Seronera river is home to crocodiles and hippos, and the river banks are covered by palm trees. Resident wildlife is plentiful throughout the year and includes antelopes, big cats, birds, mammals, and many more.
Western Serengeti (June to early July)
The Western Corridor consists of wooded savannah and is dominated by the two main rivers, Grumeti and Mbalageti, both of which flow into Lake Victoria. Resident game includes the famous colobus monkeys, elands, kudus, topis, as well as Nile crocodiles which call Grumeti River their home and can often be found sun-bathing on the riverbanks.
Northern Serengeti (July to October)
Northern Serengeti is characterized by thick woodland interspersed by small kopjes, riverine forest and the legendary Mara River. Resident game includes elephants, giraffes and impalas as well as crocodiles, hippos and several types of waterfowl. Predators like cheetahs, leopards and lions hide in the thick woodland and are more easily spotted when the migration passes through.
Which travelers will particularly enjoy Serengeti National Park?
- for travelers who are interested in a photo safari with a varied landscape and scenery
- for travelers who are looking for the experience of a lifetime as Serengeti is a world-class destination
- for travelers who are looking for a high concentration of wildlife including the Great Migration and cats such as cheetahs, leopards and lions
- for travelers who are looking for an authentic bush experience
Activities & Excursions in and near Serengeti National Park
Balloon Adventure
Riding in a hot air balloon is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you should seize upon during your Tanzania safari. Floating over the endless Serengeti plains and watching wildlife from above is an indescribably magical experience. Your flight will last an hour and, after landing, you can enjoy a sumptuous bush breakfast.
Olduvai Gorge Museum
Visit the world-famous archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge – also referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind”. Early remains of homo sapiens were discovered here by Mary Leaky in 1976. Her findings and further discovered tools can be viewed in the little museum. Travelers with an interest in mankind’s ancestors will be fascinated by this astonishing place!
Our most popular safari adventures including Serengeti National Park
5-Day Adventure Safari
Tour Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
National Parks: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
6-Day Classic Safari
Tour Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
National Parks: Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
8-Day Mara River Crossing Safari
Tour Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
National Parks: Tarangire, Serengeti (Central & North) & Ngorongoro Crater