Serengeti national park is the African mecca in wildlife safari experience, its one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s a destination of sanctuary not only in Tanzania but entire world. The park is among the oldest national parks in Tanzania that inhabits the oldest and the largest ecosystem in the world which has remained untouched till today. It was declared as protected area in 1921 with the main aim of protecting the lion population in the area. The protection was later enlarged to cover all the big cat family from the poachers and the local Maasai people who used to kill them for tradition as well as to safe guard their livestock. In 1951 the park was gazette and declared as national park after gaining much popularity from the out side world. Serengeti national park is one of the premium national park that forms the Northern Tourism circuit of Tanzania. Alongside its counter parts of Ngorongoro crater, Tarangire national park and Lake Manyara national park.

The park named “Serengeti” is approximation of the word which is used by the Maasai locals that is describing the area. They call it “Siringet” which means the endless plains that run forever. They thought that there is no end of the Serengeti plains as one can see as afar as he or she can but never predict its end. The park was first visited by the European explore called Oscar Baumann in 1892. After his visit Stewart Edward white came to Serengeti national park in 1913, he again come back in1920s and settled in Seronera area for a period of 3 months.

Serengeti national park is among the largest national parks of Tanzania covering a total land area of 14,763 square kilometers which is an equivalent of 5700 square miles.

Location of the park

Serengeti national park is located in the Northern part of the tourist city Arusha along the tourist circuit. Its bordered by Ngorongoro crater, local conservancies and Masai Mara national Reserve of Kenya. The park can be easily accessed by road taking only 7 to 8 hours scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley region. The drive covers a total distance of around 350 kilometers from the town Arusha along good tarmac road. You will pass through protected areas like Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro crater as you drive to the park. You will enjoy the scenic drive through various coffee plantations and local Maasai mayata on your way.You can also access the park by air with more domestic flights available in Arusha airport directly to the different airstrip at the park. The largest airstrip at the park is Seronera Airstrip which is internationally recognized.

Serengeti national park was later recognized by UNESCO as the World’s Heritage site in 198. It was also voted as the seven Natural Wonders of Africa basing on its hosting of the world’s largest animal migration that is the wildebeest migration. The popularity of the park is mostly based on the abundant wildlife which is found in large population. The annual lively wildebeest migration attract millions of tourists to come and witness the live action of nature when millions of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River to Masai Mara national reserve.

Attractions of Serengeti national park

Animals

The park hosts all the African big five those are: Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Buffaloes and Elephants and in large numbers. There are frequent sighting of the rare tree climbing lions at Seronera area in Serengeti national park. Guests can enjoy seeing a lion swinging on the tree branch as its resting on its natural habitat. Other animal species found at the park include: Cheetahs, Hyenas, Jackals, Jennet cat, Zebras, wildebeest, Giraffes, Hippos, Crocodiles, Topis, Oribi and many more.

 

 

Birds

Serengeti national park is another birding paradise with over 500 species of birds found at the park. It hosts over 34 species of raptors making it one of the destinations in African with the highest number of Raptor species. Some of the birds include: Fischer’s loverbird, Grey-Breasted spurfowl which is commonly sited along the road side in Seronera area, Rufous-tailed weaver which is fascinating bird which is placed on its own genus, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Kori Bustard, Secretary bird, Usambiro barbet, Verreaux’s eagle, Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Red-capped robin-chat, Common Bul bul,love birds, Starling and others.

Plants

There are over 314 plant species that are found in Serengeti national park. These include different grass species, trees and shrubs that are distributed across the national park. Some of the plant species are medicinal while others are true Africa native trees that are only found in Serengeti national park. The different vegetation types that form the endless plains of Serengeti national park has contributed to the wide range of the plant species.

Wildebeest migration

This is the largest animal migration in the whole world and its hosted in Serengeti national park. The movement of millions of wildebeests from one area to another but following clockwise direction is unique. The wildebeest migration is the highlight of Ababa safaris as thousands of tourists come to the park to watch this live action of nature. Its out of this that Serengeti was voted as natural wonder of Africa. The migration is almost throughout the year though its climax is witness in July to August when the wildebeest cross the deadly Mara river to Masai Mara national reserve. Other sections of the migration happen in June in Grumeti river in the Western part of Serengeti and the calving season which happens early in the year in the Southern part of Serengeti.

Moru Kopjes

The Moru Kopjes is a home of the few remaining black Rhinos in Serengeti national park. The Kopjes are the little dotted rocky plants that are found in the park. The kopjes are a home of large pride of lions like the Simba group which sits in the central part of Serengeti in Seronera area. These volcanic features are a handing places for predators like leopards who want to trap the prey.

The kopjes are scenic rocks which are geological points of view, they are very old granite rocks called by the locals as “Moru” by their Maa language. This means old, the rocks are very old and eroded years in and out by erosion agents like rainfalls, biological agents exposing their Iron contained in them.

Activities done in Serengeti national park

Due to a wide range of attractions found at the park, guests can enjoy a good number of activities during their Serengeti national park Safaris. Some of the key activities which can be done during your Ababa safaris include:

Birding

Birding trips are favorably done throughout the year with the best time being in the rainy season when the birds are nesting. The park has five endemic birds and other birds. The guest must have the best camera which can catch live action on air while birds are on fight, good binoculars and be well conversant with the binoculars. The bird list is long including Kori bustard, Secretary bird, Rufous-tailed weaver, Fischer’s lovebird, Grey-breasted spurfowl, Black-headed gonolek, Spurb sterling, Ruppell’s vulture, Southern ground hornbill, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Black Eagles, Ostriches, Usambiro barbet mention but a few.

 

Game viewing

Serengeti national park wildlife experience can be executed fully by doing several game drives and spending long day game drives. Go close to different wildlife at their natural habitants like cheetahs, lions, leopards, Elephants, wildebeest, warthogs, Rhinos and many more mammals in their natural habitats. Game drives can be done for a full long day or broken in to two that is morning and afternoon game drives. The 4×4 wheel drive safari cars are recommended due to the terrain of the park especially during the rainy season.

Hot Air Balloon

This is a great experience floating on air like an eagle, starting early in the morning with briefing from the pilots before we hit the sky. The balloon driver will be meeting you at the lodge and drive you to the balloon starting point. The balloon safaris are distributed in the central Seronera area and the Northern part of Serengeti near the Mara river. The Hot air balloon takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the weather of the day. This is a privately arranged Serengeti national park safari activity. Its not included at the park entry fees, you have to book in advance since it has its maximum carrying capacity.

 

 

Cultural walks

 

Serengeti never disappoints and your Ababa safaris are excellent and much rewarding. The size of the park gives an advantage for the guests to finish over 5 days Serengeti national park safari with different wildlife experience.