Serengeti National park

Welcome Serengeti National park

Serengeti National park : The term “Serengeti” is derived from the Masai word “siringet,” which means “a place where the land goes on forever.” But it’s also a place where time stands still. Since early man first walked here two million years ago, the ecosystem has barely changed.

The landscape is a mix of nutritious grasslands and sparse woodlands, with grassy areas dotted with Acacia trees, the Serengeti’s iconic image. The entire ecosystem covers 30,000 km2 and extends from north-central Tanzania to south-western Kenya.

When visiting Tanzania, Russian nationals can apply for a visa at the airport upon arrival. Russian nationals can obtain a visa for Tanzania at the airport. The typical length of stay for this visit is three months, and the visa expires in ninety days. The applicant must be present when applying for a Tanzanian visa at the airport. For a Tanzania visa on arrival, a total of five documents are needed.

Things to consider for Russians before/when visiting tanzania:

Verify that your Russian passport has at least six months left on it after the date you enter Tanzania.
While visiting Tanzania, keep your Russian passport, visa, and other necessary travel documents with you at all times.
Verify Tanzania’s entry and exit regulations, including any COVID-19 restrictions or quarantine needs.
Make sure you have enough money to support your trip to Tanzania and are prepared to provide documentation upon request.
In Tanzania, get travel insurance that includes coverage for accidents, medical costs, and trip cancellation or interruption.
To avoid the hassle of trying to find a place to stay once you arrive in Tanzania, make your reservations in advance.
To avoid the hassle of trying to find a place to stay once you arrive in Tanzania, make your reservations in advance.
Pack the proper clothing and equipment for your trip after researching the weather in Tanzania.
Especially when interacting with Tanzanian street vendors or taxi drivers, be on the lookout for scams and tourist traps.
To maintain connectivity throughout your trip in Tanzania, think about using a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM.
When visiting Tanzanian temples or other religious sites, show respect for the local culture and traditions by dressing appropriately.
Be careful with your health and hygiene, especially when eating Tanzanian street food or in crowded places.

Serengeti National Regions

The Serengeti National Park is made up of four predominant regions:

The Southern Plains: Short grassy plains in open, flat areas extend from southern Seronera into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The Central Seronera Valley: Comprises a system of river valleys that harbor the highest density of wildlife in the area due to their rich grazing lands.

The Western Corridor: The Western Corridor, which runs west to the edge of Lake Victoria, parallels the Grumeti River, where the Great Migration’s first dangerous river crossing occurs.

The Northern Serengeti: the farthest reaches of the Serengeti National Park, which is also the best location for tourists to see the famous Mara River crossings that mark the division between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara National Park.

History Serengeti wildlife

The Serengeti ecosystem had been unaltered for millions of years when German explorer Oscar Baumann, the first European explorer, traveled to the region west of the Ngorongoro crater in 1892.

Stewart Edward White, a hunter and explorer, investigated the area in 1913. More hunters followed and fired at will as they were drawn by the abundance of lions, which were seen as “vermin” and trophy prizes. The lion population fell precipitously in the 1920s. Up to 50 lions could frequently be killed during a safari.

The hunting was stopped by the government, which was at the time under the control of the British colonial administration. A number of laws were passed between 1921 and 1930 to safeguard the Serengeti’s wildlife. In the Serengeti’s Banagi and Seronera regions, lion killing was outlawed in 1935. The region was finally designated a national park, a game reserve, and a protected conservation area in 1951.

Serengeti wildlife

The majority of Africa’s predators are found in the Serengeti national park. The big five of wildlife—buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos—are all protected in this area. There are a lot of cheetahs, spotted hyenas, jackals, and between three and four thousand lions in this area.

Even though they are the park’s main draws, predators and the big five are not the only inhabitants of the Serengeti National Park. Elephants, giraffes, mongooses, baboons, bat-eared foxes, aardvarks, over 500 species of birds, including ostriches and eagles, colobus monkeys, monitor lizards, rock hyraxes, and agama lizards, as well as enormous Nile crocodiles and hippos, are also present here.

However, the annual migration of around 2 million wildebeest and tens of thousands of zebras, gazelles, and impalas in search of food and water is the Serengeti National Park’s main draw for many tourists.

Serengeti Highlights

Serengeti National Park is among the best-known wildlife parks in the world for a variety of reasons. From its stunning landscapes to its sizable animal herds. According to estimates, the area is home to over 3.5 million animals. The Serengeti is one of the few locations left where you can find vast, uninhabited areas where animals can live freely and unaffected by human affairs.

Serengeti’s many cats

The Serengeti can support a large variety of wildlife because of its diverse ecosystem and sizable habitats. Numerous herbivores are free to roam in this area and feed on the fertile landscapes of the Serengeti.

Predators are also numerous because there are many different prey species. According to reports, this ecosystem is home to more than 3000 lions, making it the continent’s largest lion population. The lions aren’t the only predators in the area; many other predators and animals that resemble cats also live there. Numerous leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and other animals can be found in the Serengeti.

The Great Migration

The annual movement of wildebeest and other grazers like zebras and gazelles is known as the Great Migration. They move annually from the Ndutu region of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, across the vast plains of Serengeti National Park, and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The migration, which is the biggest yearly animal migration in the world, is an amazing event to witness.

January to February: Herds gather on the southern edge of the park, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, at the start of the year to graze on the Southern Plains’ nutrient-rich grasses. Also, calving season is this time. Approximately 500,000 wildebeest calves are born over the course of three weeks, typically in February.

March to April: As the Southern Plains become drier, the herds migrate westward, up the Western Corridor, towards the heavy rains of the north.

From May to June: The migration moves north along the Serengeti’s western edge, eventually reaching the Grumeti River. June is the ideal month to visit the National Park and witness this gruesome yet spectacular battle for survival.

The herds must cross the perilous Grumeti, home to massive Nile crocodiles and hippos, to reach the greener grasses of the Northern Serengeti. As thousands of wildebeest line up along the river’s banks, hungry crocodiles lurk beneath the surface, ready to strike.

However, the danger is not over. Those who make it across the Grumeti River are weakened and exhausted, making them easy prey for the predators waiting for them on dry land. Lions lie in wait, poised to spring, while spotted hyenas and vultures compete for the scraps.

July to October: The northern Serengeti is now home to the herds. However, as the dry season persists and the grasses start to turn yellow, they follow the rains and move even further north toward Kenya’s Masai Mara.

The Mara River, which is a mass of deep, powerful currents, steep, slippery banks, and the home of large, hungry crocodiles, is the most treacherous river crossing of all before they can leave the Serengeti and enter the Masai Mara National Park.

Some are killed by the fall, others are dragged underwater by crocodiles, and many drown in the raging waters of the mighty river. The Mara River crossing, as gruesome and traumatic as it is, is a spectacular display of survival of the fittest. From July to October, the majority of visitors to the Serengeti National Park come specifically for this dramatic yet awe-inspiring event.

December to November: As the Serengeti begins to rain, the herds begin to make their way back down the eastern side of the national park. By late December, the majority of the herds had returned to the southern plains, pregnant and content. They will remain until the cycle is completed.

BEST TIMES TO VISIT SERENGETI

The Serengeti National Park makes for an excellent year-round safari destination due to its abundance of wildlife and sheer size. However, some seasons and locations are better than others, depending on what you want to see. Keep in mind that you are viewing a natural event, so the weather and animals may not behave as expected. However, as a general rule of thumb, the seasons are split into two groups:

Dry Season (May to October)

The dry season is the best time to see wildlife. Early booking is advised because July to October is the busiest season for tourists.

The months of June and July (Grumeti River) and August to October (Mara River) are the best for viewing the river crossings.

In the Western Corridor, June and July offer the best opportunities for wildlife viewing. In the northern Serengeti, August and September are the best months to see them. The grass is shorter, making it simpler to see the animals. The likelihood of seeing more animals gathering by rivers and waterholes to drink also rises during the dry season. The risk of malaria is relatively low during the dry season because there are fewer mosquitoes. Children should come at this time.

Despite being dry, temperatures at this time of year can be very high. While it can be very hot during the midday and afternoon, the early mornings and nights can get very cold. For early morning game drive safaris, make sure to pack warm clothing, and for later in the day, pack hats and sunscreen.

Wet Season (November to May)

It’s unlikely that the rain you experience from November to March will spoil your fun because it usually only lasts for a brief period in the late afternoon. In fact, a thunderstorm over the Serengeti only improves your experience in general.

The Southern Plains are at their most colorful in January and February, when wildflowers and lush green grasses turn the area into a restful and tranquil grazing land.

If you want to see births occurring on the Southern Plains, February is the best month to visit. You’ll have the chance to observe lions in action because the weak newborns attract predators as well.

The opportunity to observe a huge variety of native and migratory birds is available during the wet season. Bird watching is at its best now, especially near water holes.

March and April are the wettest months. The persistent rains make it difficult to see wildlife, and some of the tracks and roads are impassable. Because there are more mosquitoes at this time of year, there is also a higher risk of malaria during this time. The Serengeti is least visited during this time of year.

Serengeti facts

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

The indisputable kings of the Serengeti are cats. While cheetahs prefer the southern plains, lions can be found all over the national park. Leopards, however, favor the protection of the trees that line the Seronera River.
The Northern Serengeti’s open woodlands are home to larger herds of elephants and giraffes.
Approximately 250,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra perish during the Great Migration from predators, drownings, hunger, thirst, or exhaustion.
Giant kopjes, or volcanic granite rock formations, are scattered throughout the Southern Plains and offer excellent vantage points for predators as well as hiding places for lizards and pythons.
The Southern Plains of the Serengeti National Park served as the inspiration for The Lion King Movie, one of Disney’s most popular motion pictures.
The Serengeti has a biodiversity that is unmatched anywhere else in the world. As a result, it has been designated as an area of significant ecological importance and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Masai tribespeople have been herding cattle for countless years. They are proud, nomadic warriors distinguished by their distinctive red cloaks and beaded collars.
In the past, the Masai subsisted on the meat and blood of their herds in order to coexist peacefully with the Serengeti’s wildlife.
The Serengeti ecosystem, which dates back millions of years, has undergone very little change. The majority of the plants, rivers, and landscape haven’t changed much since a million years ago.
Palaeontologists discovered the oldest human remains, thought to date back 2 million years, between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park, leading scientists to believe that the first humans evolved in East Africa.
The Great Migration has only occurred since the 1960s. A widespread epidemic wiped out nearly all of the Serengeti’s wildebeest population in the late nineteenth century. Inoculations were used to boost their numbers, which subsequently skyrocketed. By the 1960s, the land could no longer sustain them, so they began to migrate north, following the rains in search of food and water.
Whether you want to see the Big Five, experience the Great Migration firsthand, or simply see wildlife in general, the Serengeti National Park provides an unforgettable opportunity to witness nature’s beauty and savagery at its finest.

ACTIVITIES IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Serengeti National Park provides more than ‘just’ wildlife viewing. If you’re on your way to the park, you can participate in a variety of exciting activities such as:

Game drives
Balloon Safari
Maasai Visit (on your way to Serengeti)
Night Game Drive (in certain areas)
Walking safaris (in certain areas)

SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI

Most game drives include a visit to the central Serengeti, which is full of resident animals all year, as well as other parks in the northern circuit. Our safari, which includes visits to Tarangire, Manyara, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, is an excellent example of this type of program.

We recommend the Great Winter Migration Safari in the Ndutu area and the Great Summer Migration Safari in the Mara area to see the spectacle of the Great Migration. You can witness a river crossing, spot big cats hunting, or simply enjoy a sunset while drinking a cold beer or glass of wine in a 4×4 jeep with professional safari guides.

Aside from the traditional game drive, we recommend the balloon safari, an unforgettable experience that allows you to admire the savannah from above and take exceptional photographs. Many of our safari programs include visits to the Serengeti National Park and the Great Migration. You can read about our Tanzania safaris and contact us to customize your safari itinerary.