Serengeti

Serengeti National Park in Africa

When thinking of adventures and holidays in Africa for wildlife safari think of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Where is Serengeti National Park one would ask, the answer is to plan now to visit this great safari destination in Africa and you will never forget the experience? Serengeti National Park is the largest National Park in East Africa in a country called Tanzania. Serengeti is home to millions of wild animals small and big. The Serengeti National Park makes what called the Serengeti Masai Mara ecosystem which combines several Game Reserves like Maswa Game Reserve, Grumeti Game Reserve, Loliondo, and Ikorongo Game Controlled area as well as a party of Ngorongoro Conservation Area bordering southern Serengeti. This extension also includes the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya.

Serengeti National Park History

The name Serengeti was derived from the word ‘Siringet’ by Maasai the nomadic people’s language (maa) which means the endless plains, the word itself is enough explanation of the legendary African savannah plains. Serengeti National Park was established during fortress conservation times where two big tribes of Maasai and Kuria were moved out of the Serengeti. Kuria tribe were forced to go to the areas around Lake Victoria while Maasai was moved towards the southern Serengeti and the highlands of Ngorongoro, later in 1951 Serengeti was announced as a National Park.

Serengeti National park is Tanzania’s oldest park covering an area of about 14,763 sq km of endless rolling plains, which spread up to the Kenyan border and extends almost to Lake Victoria. Serengeti is endowed with magnificent wildlife and it is of no doubt that it is the most famous wildlife area in Africa. UNESCO has established two World heritage sites and two Biosphere Reserve in this area. Its unique environment has inspired writers, filmmakers as well as numerous photographers and scientists.

Serengeti is where the world-renowned Great Wildebeest Migration spending time from the months of November up to mid-August. This movement of mass wild animals back and forth from Serengeti to Masai Mara in Kenya is a world natural phenomenon that involves more than 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by thousands of zebra and gazelles walking thousands of miles in searching for green pastures and water. In Serengeti National Park Wildebeest Migration seems to have outshined the richness of resident animals and birds life that flourishes in the Serengeti yearly around but the truth is that the park is always a wonderful place to visit with or without the existence of the migration herds.

Serengeti National Park best time to visit

The best time to visit Serengeti national park is still a question as the wildlife richness in the park is undisputed and can be seen throughout the year, between November to mid-August migration of herds are in Tanzania Serengeti plains before start moving towards Kenyan’s Masai Mara in mid-August and September, possibly this can be the best time to visit Serengeti National Park. However, due to climatic changes, their movement has been quite unpredictable (please contact our safari experts for updates on their movements).

Another Mara River crossing can be in early November when returning back from Masai Mara Game Reserve.

The long rainy season usually starts in the middle of March or April and goes up to May generally this rain covers the whole of East Africa however, the rainy is very brief and has been experienced mostly during the nights. It is possible to do our Tanzania Safaris at this time where lodges and tented camps are lowering their prices, traffic at this time is usually low and the park is uncrowded. Another option is to visit Southern Serengeti during the months of December to March where the migration of herds is crowded at Ndutu plains for calving & nursing (synchronized birth).

The months of April and May usually are spent at central Serengeti plains and around the Seronera area while in June and mid–July it is the best time to stay at the Western corridor and around the area of Grumeti River. From mid-July to mid-August you can move to the Northern Serengeti at Bologonja and Lobo areas as well as around Mara River (Mara River crossing can be at this time). In the months of June and August, the area of Ikoma which is outside the Serengeti National park can be a good place for the game drives.

The African Big 5 which includes lion, leopard, cape buffalo, African elephant & the rare black rhino can occasionally be spotted in the Serengeti plains following the recent introduction of black rhino. You may also expect to see other animal-like topi, eland, impala, gazelles, hyenas, cheetahs, jackal, baboons, monkey, foxes, pangolin, caracal, python, bush pigs, bushbucks, bat-eared foxes & large birds like hammer kops, Kori bustards, secretary birds, ostriches among others in facts it will take ages to list animals and birds found in the wild rich Serengeti National Park.

Our best safari packages for Serengeti National Park are mostly combined with other Northern Tanzania safari parks like Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro Crater. However, Serengeti safari can still be done independently starting from 3 days, two nights, and above. Serengeti National Park hot air balloon can also be done during your safari in Serengeti but it has to be booked well in advance.

Accommodation in Serengeti can be rated to fit your ideas, budget, needs, and aspiration. You can stay in lodges, tented camps, or campsites and enjoy our wild Tanzania. Our Safari experts can advise you on where to go and to stay based on your budget. On our personal experience, we value first-hand experience and consistent inspection. Serengeti National Park Shall Never Die!