Serengeti National Park Tanzania
Serengeti National Park is located in the Mara and Simiyu regions of Tanzania. It has an area of 14,763 square kilometers. Serengeti national park is prominently known world-wide for the park that hosts the massive wildebeest migration annually.
In 1930 it was established as a game reserve where sport hunting was allowed until 1937. The National park itself was established later in 1951.
Tourists come to Serengeti National Park to witness millions of migrating wildebeests, gazelles and zebras as this can’t be watched anywhere else. These animals move in search of fresh water and pasture. The best time to visit and get a glimpse of the migration is between May to June and December to March.
Serengeti
Far off from the migration, there are plenty of other activities to take part in Serengeti National Park.
- Game drive.
This can be a morning or night game drive. Game drives are popular because they enable tourists to spot animals in the park especially at the crack of dawn. Serengeti National Park has the largest lion population in Africa and is therefore considered a Lion Conservation Unit. A pride of lions can be spotted at the Moru Kopjes rocks stretching while on a game drive and this is one sight that cannot be missed. Leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs can also be spotted.
- Hot air balloon safari
This is an adventure that is highly recommended because tourists get a perfect aerial view of the park and the wild animals.
- Nature walks
These allow you to do some bird watching and magnificent photography. Here are some of the bird species that can be spotted. Grey headed sparrow, Red-backed scrub, Variable sunbird, Ostrich, White crowned shrike, vultures and many more others. Tourists also get an opportunity to watch the hippos at the Retina Hippo Pool on foot.
- A visit to the “Cradle of Man” Olduvai Gorge.
A fascinating archaeological site where the first human remains were discovered. Several other tools and fossils have been uncovered and can all been seen in the museum at Olduvai Gorge.
- Exploring the Masaai community.
Serengeti National Park is a home for indigenous tribes like the Masaai pastoralists. They are easy going and welcoming people who have protected their culture for a long time. A visit to their community gives you a feel of their culture which includes the traditional dance, traditional food and some of the traditional beliefs.
- A bush dinner
A bush dinner in the wilderness is one not to miss on a visit to Serengeti National Park. A delectable meal under the stars.
Camping in the Serengeti close to wild game is a thrilling experience and mostly exciting if it’s a group travelling together.
Other sites that can be visited include; the Bologonja Springs, a visit to the Lobo valley and also a visit to Ngorongoro crater.
Accommodation in Serengeti National Park
- Zawadi Serengeti Camp
- Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
- Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
- Mbalegeti Serengeti
- Serengeti Safari Lodge
- Mawe tented camp
- Seronera Wildlife Lodge
- Serengeti Bushtops Luxury Camp
How do you get to Serengeti National Park?
The best option is to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport or fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport. A flight can then be taken from Arusha to one of the airstrips inside the park. There is also a possibility of accessing the park by road, a drive that takes about 8 hours and approximately 325kilometres. The park can be accessed through these gates (Naabi Hill Gate, Ndabaka Gate, Klein’s Gate and Bologonya Gate).