Serengeti National Park is a world-class destination for wildlife Safari journeys. It is located in Northern Tanzania and is among East Africa’s most visited national parks. The park was established in 1951 and covers a land area of 14,763 square kilometers. Serengeti National Park is among the most diverse ecosystems in East Africa. It is because of this diversity that the park was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Serengeti is divided into three regions that include the Serengeti Plains, the western corridor, and northern Serengeti. The Serengeti plains region is covered with open savanna grasslands. It also has several kopjes that the predators take advantage of to spot their prey.
Western Serengeti is covered by a Riverine Forest. The area has two main Rivers, Mbalageti and Grumeti. These Rivers especially Grumeti, are a great obstacle to the wildebeest as the deadly Nile crocodiles wait to take down their prey. The Mbalageti River is a seasonal one and often dries up in the dry season. Northern Serengeti is mainly covered with woodlands and hills. This northern part stretches to the Tanzania and Kenyan border. These open plains are the heart of wildlife safari journeys in Tanzania.
Wildlife In Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is famous for the different wildlife species it has. There are over one million wildebeests that roam the open plains of Serengeti. Wildebeests are joined by over 200,000 zebras and many other antelopes including Thompson gazelles, and the topi. This wildebeest migration is the primary activity done on wildlife safari journeys in Serengeti.
The Park is a lion conservation unit and has the highest lion population in Africa. It is a guarantee to see lions on game drives in Serengeti. All the other big cats namely leopards and cheetahs are also present here and occur in large numbers.
Other notable safari animals in the park include hyenas buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, and Hippos among others. The park is also a birders paradise with over 500 bird species. The Serengeti and Mara ecosystem is among Africa’s important endemic bird areas. Some of the birds you can see on wildlife safari journeys in Serengeti include the Kori bustard, secretary bird, and silver bird among others.
Wildlife Safari Activities in Serengeti
Game drives are the commonly done safari activities in Serengeti National Park. They feature the wildebeest migration, big cats, Big Five mammals, and overall wildlife species. The wildebeest migration reaches the different sectors of Serengeti at different months of the year. It is important to know the part of Serengeti where the herds are in a particular month of the year before making a booking.
Wildebeest herds are often in northern Serengeti from mid-September. They slowly sweep through the south over the Ngorongoro crater and Ndutu towards the end and beginning of the year. The best time to visit northern Serengeti for the wildebeest migration is from August to October. November ushers in the rains and the herds would have moved south spreading and enjoying the fresh pastures. As the year ends, the calving period begins and several calves are born around the Ngorongoro and Ndutu areas. All these phenomena occur over a given period transitioning from one month to another.
Early morning game drives offer the best animal viewing opportunities as you catch up with the early risers. There are several nocturnal animals and the major predators are nocturnal. They are most active in the night or early mornings before sunrise. Getting up for an early morning game drive enables you to see a number of these returning from hunting. Evening and night game drives are also great and very adventurous.
Wildebeest River Crossings
Wildebeest River crossings of Grumeti in Serengeti are not as spectacular as those of the Mara River. They are still impressive to watch as the wildebeests overcome their first River obstacle. The other opportunity to watch the River crossings to Serengeti is in the northern part as the herds cross the Mara River once again on their way back.
Birding Wildlife Safari Journeys
With the bird species diversity in the park, Birding safari experiences here are unforgettable. To fully explore bird life, it is better to dedicate a game drive to birding. You can also start early in the morning or in the evening when it is not hot.
The Riverine forested areas in the western corridor of the park are also great birding areas. You are also able to see different bird species in the sectors of Serengeti depending on the vegetation type. Overall wildlife safari birding Journeys here can be done any time of the year.
Nature walks
You can explore the vast Serengeti Ecosystem on foot. There are great opportunities for wildlife viewing on guided nature walks as you get more intimate with the ecosystem. Because the park is an open wild place, guided nature is guarded by armed rangers. They can fire in space in case of any animal scare. The nature trails that are followed are generally safe for sundowners, and bush breakfasts.
Other activities include balloon safaris and many tailor-made activities by lodges and camps depending on one’s preference.
We have customized Serengeti itineraries you can book for the best of wildlife safari journeys in Serengeti. Our 9-day Safari features Tarangire and Ngorongoro but gives you enough time in Serengeti. The 4 and 7-day Safari options are for those with limited time in Tanzania. The 12 and 14-day safari options are for those who would like to add beach holidays as well. Contact us now to start planning your wildlife safari journeys.
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