SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Park at a glance

Found in the north western part of the largest East African country, Tanzania, Serengeti National park lies in the Mara and Simiyu regions. It is bordered by Kenya to the North, Ngorongoro conservation area to the south east, Maswa game reserve to the south west, Ikorongo to the west, Grumeti game reserves to the north east and Loliondo game control area to the east  forming up the larger Serengeti ecosystem. It is the oldest and most popular safari destination in this country. Formerly, the Masai people had settled in the area covered by the national park before it took on its current form. Being herdsmen, they used to practice live stock farming and cattle grazing in the open plains of this area. The park derived its name from a local word used by the Masai known as siringet meaning, “The place where the land runs forever.” This name describes the area covered by this park. Early explorers to the park for example Stewart Edward White form the USA who settled in the northern section of Serengeti did little when it came to conserving the park’s nature as it is recorded that him and his colleagues shot 50 lions during this period. This act saw the British colonial administration making a partial game reserve of 800 acres in 1921 and a full one in 1929. This step created the basis of the actual formation of Serengeti National park which was established in 1951. Further action was taken by the British when they evicted the Masai from the park in 1959 and moved them to Ngorongoro conservation area, an act that was taken as deceit by the locals. Currently, the park covers an area of 5,700 sq mi of savanna grassland, riverine forest and woodlands.

Species diversity

Interested in seeing the big five in Tanzania? This is one of the most recommended destinations as it boosts a diversity of wildlife. The park also has about 1.5 million white-bearded wildebeest, 250,000 Zebras, crocodiles and honey badger. It has got 3000 lions hence registering the largest number of lions compared to any other national park in Africa, 1000 leopards in the Seronera region, 5000 elephants whose number is on an increase in the recent times due to reduction in poaching acts, 31 rhinos in the kopjes whose number is drastically declining due to poaching activities and 53,000 buffalos which are the most famous among the big five. The park has also got cheetahs, about 4000 spotted hyenas, jackals, African golden wolf, mongooses, stripped hyenas, otters, honey badger and the East African wild dog. A good number of primates such as the yellow and olive baboons, patas monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus can also be spotted. The park also registers a total of 500 bird species including Masai ostrich, secretary bird, kori bustards, helmeted guinea fowls, southern ground hornbill, crowned cranes, marabou storks, yellow-billed stork, lesser flamingo, martial eagles, lovebirds, oxpeckers and many species of vultures. Reptiles in the park include the Nile crocodile, leopard tortoise, serrated hinged terrapin, rainbow agama, Nile monitor, chameleons, African python, black mamba, black-necked spitting cobra and the puff adder.

Major areas of interest

The park is sub divided into three regions. These include:-

The Serengeti plains

They are endowed with amazing scenery and also act as breeding grounds for the wildebeest. Hoofed animals like the Zebras, Gazelle, Impala, hartebeest, topis, buffalos and waterbucks also appear in this area in large numbers most especially during the wet season. Pythons can also be found here.

The western corridor

This corridor is covered by the Grumeti River and a forest which act as habitats to Nile crocodiles, Patas monkeys, hippos and martial eagles most especially during the months of May to June.

Northern Serengeti

This part is covered by open woodland and hills. It consists of wildebeest and zebras. It is the best place to spot elephants and giraffes.

How to get to the park

Arusha is the major base for most of the safaris to the park. The easiest way to access this area is by air transport. A flight to Kilimanjaro international airport leads you to Arusha and this covers a distance of about 46km. Another alternative is flying to Julius Nyerere international airport outside Dar es Salaam and continuing to Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro international airport using a domestic flight. From Arusha, a smaller plane to one of the airstrips in Serengeti national park can be taken because this is the most convenient way to get to the park. By road, a 4WD to the park is recommended due to the fact that the road is bumpy. This will cover a distance of about 325km and it will take about 8hrs. Using road would be very enriching because it exposes you to amazing scenery and plenty of wildlife.

Getting around the park

A ride to Ngorongoro conservation area will lead you to Ngorongoro crater. Alternatively, a flight can be taken to the crater region. From the crater, a ride to the Seronera area can take about 3hours.

Best time to visit the park

Activities in the park can prevail all year round although it is better to visit some areas at specific times. The best time to view wildlife is the dry season covering months of June to October. It is also important to take note of migrations especially with the wildebeest as they tend to shift from the western corridor to northern Serengeti most especially during months of June to July. During the dry season, animals tend to converge around water catchment areas such as rivers and vegetation also tends to thicken hence availing the best time for wildlife safaris. It should also be noted that the wet season avails the best moment for bird watching and the season is also favorable for those that wish to take on safaris with less crowds.

Activities in Serengeti National Park

Being a wildlife haven, the park avails the best wildlife viewing experiences. Imagine watching the unique animal migration. Below are the activities that can be done in the park.

Games drives

This is a very enjoyable activity done in the park. During this adventure, you may get the opportunity of spotting the big five together with other animals such as cheetahs, spotted hyenas, jackals, African golden wolf, mongooses, stripped hyenas and otters. With an experienced guide, this will be a very fantastic moment. Note that game drives can be done during the day and night.

Observing the great migration

This unique experience usually takes place around the Mara River. Here, you will spot crowds of hoofed animals such as zebras, wildebeests, gazelles and impalas cross the river and continue moving from one area of the park to another. Some may be eaten by crocodiles or other predators or perhaps be so young and weak to complete the journey. This activity greatly depends on climate and it is brought about by factors such as the calving season, searching for grasses and mating.

Birding

Since the park records a variety of bird species, it is therefore a good spot for bird lovers. Best period for birding are the wet months of November to May.

Cultural encounters with the Masai

These people have got a long history with the park. You will witness their unique dress code, way of life, traditions and customs. They are very friendly people and they usually entertain visitors with their traditional songs and dances plus taking you around the local schools, showing you their traditional crafts which you can buy as souvenirs hence contributing to their livelihood.

A visit to Serengeti visitor center

Here, visitors will be given an insight of the park’s history, its wildlife and ecosystem. At the center, visitors may undertake a guided nature walk and on your way to and from the center, there is a chance of landing on wildlife and birds. The center also has an area favorable for organizing picnics plus a gift shop.

Viewing the Moru Kopjes

These are very unique features that look like mountains. Bushes and trees rise out of rocks formed by these kopjes. These rocks also tend to collect water and hence acting as water catchment areas for animals such as lions, leopards and cheaters. This is a perfect place for spotting rhinos.

Visiting the Olduvai Gorge

In the eastern part of Serengeti plains lies Olduvai Gorge. This is an area where human fossils and ancient weapons dating back around 2 million years ago were discovered.

Balloon Safaris

Interested in having the best sight of Serengeti national park? Take a balloon safari because it avails an aerial view of the park. During this experience, one can clearly view wildlife and the amazing landscape here.

Accommodation

A variety of luxury, mid range and budget lodges, hotels and camps are around the park. some of these lodges and camps include, Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp, Kirawira Serena Camp, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge and more. They avail all basic facilities such as comfortable rooms, water, electricity, dinning services and some go an extra mile by providing additional facilities such as internet, room service and more.