HISTORY OF THE SERENGETI
The Maasai people are the first humans to live and graze their livestock in the open plains of Serengeti for around 200 years. German geographer and explorer Dr Oscar Baumann were probably the first explore to enter the Serengeti. He entered the area in the year of 1892.
A group of Maasai warriors doing a traditional dance in front of tourists.
Maasai exploited the area as a hunting ground for big lions for many years (must kill a big lion so as to become a warrior).
As a result, the number of lions in the area started to shrink and this made firstly British explores to establish a temporary game reserve of 800 acres (almost 3 km) and in 1920 they made a second game reserve. These game reserves took place up to the year of 1951 in which the area gazetted as a national park.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK HIGHLIGHTS
WHY VISIT THE SERENGETI
Serengeti national park is best known for its annually wildebeest migration and it is a must for any Tanzania or Africa safari visitor.
The park has abundance of biodiversity starting from the fauna and flora species, landscapes, culture and history.
In addition to wildebeest, the Serengeti National Park holds many types of large antelopes, including zebra, impala, eland, klipspringer, dik-dik, and several different kinds of buck.
Also look out for lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, hippos, hyenas, bat eared foxes, jackals, warthogs, porcupines, crocodiles, baboons, mongoose’s and different types of monkey.
The Serengeti is also home to almost 500 different bird species, including; vultures, storks, flamingos, martial and fish eagles and ostriches.
WHAT TO DO IN SERENGETI
The Serengeti national park is the most famous park and a top safari destination. The Serengeti has so much to offer, from the Big Five and the world’s largest overland migration to stunning landscapes. These are the best things to see and do when visits Serengeti National Park.
Walking safari.
Discover the Serengeti on foot during a multi-days walking safari. Go back in time and feel like you the first explorer.
The wilderness becomes more real when you become part of the environment. Explore remote areas where safari vehicles are not allowed.
Your senses start working when you connect with nature and walk on the same path as lions, elephants and giraffes. Smell the bush, feel the warm African breeze and hear elephants trumping in the distance. It is such an exciting experience to be so close to nature.
Balloon safari.
The ultimate way to see the beauty of the Serengeti is by floating in a hot air balloon over the endless plains at dawn. Witness the sunrise over the African savannah and the variety of wildlife below.
Balloon safaris in Serengeti, Tanzania.
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of this awesome park, while you float in the direction the wind takes you. After a one-hour balloon flight, a glass of champagne and delicious English breakfast awaits, to celebrate this amazing adventure.
Great migration.
For a lot of people this spectacle of nature is the reason why they visit the Serengeti. It’s an impressive sight to witness millions of mammal’s thunders across the plains in search of fresh grass and water.
Huge lines of wildebeest, storms of red dust, wild river crossings and predators everywhere. The Great Migration is a year-round circle and can be seen in different parts of the Serengeti.
Game drive.
Serengeti national park offers viewing animals from the moving vehicles. When choosing to book a drive-in safari a driver/guide will take you to Serengeti in a 4×4 safari vehicle (and other places to visit depending on your itinerary- along the way. In general, the driver/guide will also be your guide in the Serengeti and take you on the game drives through the park experience at their lodge.
Bird watching.
The Serengeti national park is a bird paradise. The park has approximated of 500 bird species which make it to be the best spot for bird watching. This open grassland supports other variety of bird such as kori bustard, larks, fiches and raptors.
The park is home to the amazing lilac-breasted roller and three endemic species of Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebird, grey-rumped spur fowl and babbler-like rufous-tailed weaver.
SO WHATS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK?
The best time to visit the park is during the dry season (late June to October). However, the Serengeti is visited throughout the year and some travellers prefer different durations as they can be best suited to match your interests. Here is a month by month guide to visit the Serengeti national park.
January to February.
Beginning of Tanzania’s green season. Suitable for birdwatching.
The famous Great wildebeest migration is concentrated in Ndutu area and give birth (calving season).
March
this is a grey time, not clear if it will be dry or perhaps the rainy season will begin
almost end of wildebeest calving season
April to may
it is expected to be rainy season therefore very difficult to move around or enjoying the sun
migration expected to be in south/central Serengeti
less travellers
June to August.
This is the beginning of the dry season and the peak season for safari visitors.
Great migration crossing grumeti (west Serengeti) river in June
Great Migration making its way north towards the Mara river for the dramatic river crossings into the Masai Mara reserve.
September to October
Still dry season
Travellers reduce
The migration is expected to be in maasai mara Kenya
November to December
short rains
few traveller (small peak season from late December to early January)
the migration is back, making way to south Serengeti & north ngorongoro
HOW TO GET TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti national park is located in northern Tanzania and extends to southwestern Kenya. The park can easily be reachable by either on ground or air.
Getting to Serengeti National Park by road.
The most popular way to travel to Serengeti National Park by road is by booking a drive-in safari. In general, the drive-in safaris start from the town of Arusha. As it will take around 7 hours (318 km) to travel from Arusha to the Serengeti National Park, an overnight stay at one or more wildlife sites and route is usually part of your safari itinerary.
Serengeti access gates.
There are four main entry and exit gates:
Naabi Hill Gate: Main and most heavily trafficked access gate if coming from Arusha; 45km from Seronera.
Ndabaka: Main gate for Western Corridor: 1.5-hour drive from Mwanza and 145km from Seronera.
Klein’s Gate: In the far north-east, it lets a loop trip combining Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Natron.
Bologonya Gate: not in use yet.
Serengeti fly in safaris (airstrips)
This form of getting to the park is dedicated to those who are looking for a faster and even more suitable option. An arranged or private charter flights are always on the way to go or you can search for scheduled flights, with some local charters inducing a route with after a booking by a minimum of 2.
