Serengeti National Park , World’s Greatest Wildebeest Migration

Serengeti National Park is an extensive territory in the northern part of Tanzania, measuring approximately 14,763 square kilometers. The Park stretches over the Mara region in the east and the Simiyu Region in the northeast, with over 1.5 million ha (3.7 million acres) of unspoiled savannas. The Park was founded in 1940. The origin of the word ‘Serengeti’ has been generally attributed to the Maasai word ‘Siringet,’ translating either ‘”the place where the land runs on forever” or “endless plains.” The word, in particular, does appear in Maasai dictionaries. The Serengeti Park has been among the leading nominees for the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Man and Biosphere Reserve since 1982.

Among the most interesting aspects of the Serengeti national park is the large animal migration. Where over 1.5 million blue wildebeests and 250,000 zebras migrate, accompanied by smaller herds of Thomson’s gazelles and elands. Moreover, it harbors the largest concentration of lions on the continent. The park, however, faces some problems. These include the issue of deforestation, the rise in the human population, poaching, and cattle ranching.

History

In the year 1930, an extensive region measuring 2,286 square kilometers was declared a game reserve in the Southern and Eastern Serengeti. In the 1930s, the government in Tanganyika began the process of declaring national parks in their territory, in keeping with the international agreements on the protection of flora and fauna. In the same year, Major Richard Hingston, who was in Tanganyika on a mission of the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire, proposed the declaration of the Serengeti Game Reserve as a national park.

The region was declared a national park in 1940. The park got increased protection in 1948 with the formation of the Serengeti National Park Board of Trustees. The government also restricted the Maasai people’s movement in the park, and the boundaries of the park were demarcated in 1951. In 1959, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established when an area measuring 8,300 square kilometers was separated from the eastern side of the Serengeti national park. The act was intended to help the Maasai meet their traditional needs in terms of the use of the land. In 1966, the Serengeti Research Institute was established at Seronera to conduct research on the Grand Migration.

By the year 1981, the Serengeti National Park covered an area of 12,950 square kilometers. This was less than half the Serengeti area. The Serengeti was famous because of a book and documentary called “Serengeti Shall Not Die,” written by Bernhard and Michael Grzimek in 1959.

Climate

Serengeti National Park has a subtropical climate. The rainy season takes place between the months of November and April, and the dry season happens between the months of May and October. The park has an elevation of 1,100 to 2,000 meters, with an average rainfall ranging from 900-1,000mm.

Attractions

Serengeti National Park, a world-famous site and a Biosphere Reserve, has more uniqueness than any other national park on the African continent. At this site, one has the opportunity to witness the great migration of wildebeest and the Big Five and experience the largest gathering of both the Carnivores and the Herbivores in one location. The site also boasts rare and endangered species, special bird species, and breathtaking landscapes.

The Great Migration

The great wildebeest migration of over 1.5 million, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and half a million Gazelles, as well as Eland, in an annual pattern in search of fresh grazing and water. The experience of having the chance to witness these occurrences in nature provides you the experience of the great lifetime experience. The best time to witness the great migration in Serengeti national park would be between the months of June and October. During this time, the wildebeests and zebras are on the northern side of the Serengeti, grazing their way through the Mara River crossings in Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Highest Concentration of Carnivores

The Serengeti habitat has the greatest density of carnivores, particularly the larger African big cats such as lions, leopards, black-backed jackals, African golden wolves, honey badgers, caracals, striped hyenas, servals, banded mongooses, and cheetahs, and other bigger hunters like spotted hyenas. The experience of watching these magnificent animals hunt and, from time to time, fight over territorial issues could be an experience to remember.

Highest Concentration of Herbivores

There are over 28 herbivore species in Serengeti, such as buffalos, wildebeests, zebras, elands, hippos, aardvarks, aardwolves, African civets, genets, African wildcats, African striped weasels, and waterbucks. When on a Tanzania safari, the excitement you get when looking at herbivores grazing on

Divergent Bird

With over 530 species recorded, a quarter of these are those migratory birds from other continents, making it, apart from an ecologically important bird site, the ultimate location for a bird enthusiast. Among the birds you, no doubt, shall encounter are the grey-crested helmet-shrike, Hildebrandt’s starling, and the Usambiro barbet. The birds you shall meet include ducks, pheasants, grouse, and their allies; pigeons and doves; cuckoos, nightjars, and their allies; rails, gallinules, and coots; plovers and lapwings; sandpipers and their allies; herons, egrets, and bitterns; hawks, eagles, and kites; Old World flycatchers; weavers and their allies; and the waxbills and their allies.

Cultural and Historical Sites

Serengeti has a number of cultures, mostly originating from famous tribes known by the names Maasai, Sukuma, Kurya, and Ikoma. The Maasai and Ikoma tribes were originally inhabiting some areas within the Serengeti Park before they were relocated outside the park. The current markers, still present at the famous Maasai Rock Paintings, Gong Rock, and the ruins of Ikoma, blend an exceptional mix of both animal observation and the area’s human history.

Tourism Activities

Observing the Great Migration

The spectacle of the great migration in Serengeti National Park is an experience in itself and one of the major attractions when on safari in the region. This great spectacle occurs annually between the months of June and October and includes the migration of over 1.5 million wildebeests, accompanied by thousands of zebras, who travel from the southern Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater to the southern part of the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya and back. The wildebeest migration takes place in February and March in the South Ndutu region, before the calving season, when numerous calves are born. When on a wildebeest migration safari in the Serengeti, you shall also have the opportunity to witness other predators like hyenas, cheetahs, and lions who are in search of their next source of food.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

Hot air balloon safari is one of the biggest thrills you can experience when on a Tanzania safari offer in this national park. Hot air balloon safaris offer you an opportunity to experience the beauty of the park in a way you have never seen before. Get a bird’s perspective when you take an early morning hot air balloon safari and experience the beauty of the Serengeti National Park in its central, western, eastern, southern, and even northern regions. The hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti National Park may take anything between 50 and 70 minutes. When you come back, you are treated to a hearty breakfast in the middle of the wilderness.

Game drives

This forms a big tourist activity in the park. The park takes pride in the fact that it is one of the finest destinations in Tanzania for the activity.  This great activity provides the visitors in the park with an opportunity to watch the animals comfortably in their cars. The activity in this wonderful park takes place in all the areas across the park, and the major one where the largest concentrations of the animals are observed is the Seronera Valley. The game drives in the Serengeti National Park can take place in three different sessions, which include the morning, afternoon, and evening. There are also full-day game drives when in the Serengeti National Park.

Bush meals

Sighting and enjoying lunch in the middle of the bush, amidst the animals and the beauty of the African skies, sums up the memories of the entire day. The chance to provide these lunches can come from the accommodation facilities where the visitors would stay.

Walking Safaris

The most enjoyable experience can be achieved when you are walking. Serengeti provides an opportunity for walking safari adventures in the wilderness, usually accompanied by an armed park ranger. During your walking safari, your guide takes you through a rich spot where you would be able to see reptiles, birds, insects, and other rare plants. This amazing experience can only be provided in the eastern and northern regions of Serengeti!

Photography tours

These special areas allow visitors the opportunity to stretch and experience the things around them, hence an approach to nature. The Retima Hippo Pool is one such place where, after the long hours in the car, the visitor gets the chance to leave their bus and experience the hippos firsthand!

Accommodation Options

Serengeti National Park has various accommodations where you can stay. Here are some types of accommodations you can find, among others, such as the Mbali Mail Soroi Serengeti Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Mwiba Lodge, Namiri Plains, the Sanctuary Kichakani Camp, the Serengeti Bushtops Luxury Tented Camp, the Lamai Camp, Singita Faru Bush Tops Camp, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, and the Melia Serengeti Lodge.

How to Get There

To get to Serengeti National Park, you use flights from either Arusha or the International Airport in Kilimanjaro to the airfields in Serengeti. Alternatively, one can use the scenic route from Arusha, which takes about 10-12 hours. There are also tourist circuits that make the process easy and stress-free.