As the sun glows golden in a deep red sky, a cloud of dust appears on the horizon. Soon, the whole of the savannah is trembling with the thudding of a million hooves. The great wildebeest migration is the most famous event in the Serengeti’s annual calendar, but all year round, this National Park in Tanzania provides the greatest show on earth. There’s an excellent chance of spotting the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo - on safari, as well as thousands of their prey. Then there is the landscape itself; ancient and majestic, the vast grasslands, the rising mountains, the watercolour sunsets. It is a place that touches the soul.
Facts about the Serengeti National Park
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Tanzania
- 2.3308°S, 34.8333°E
- 5700 sq. mi (14,763 sq. km)
- 1951
- , inscribed 1981.
History of Serengeti National Park
Humankind has a long and deep connection with the Serengeti. The famous archaeological investigations at Olduvai Gorge in the nearby Ngorongoro Crater prove that people have roamed the savannah for the last two million years, making this one of the earliest places of human existence on earth.
Until the arrival of the first colonisers in 1913, the Serengeti way of life barely changed, providing a perfect balance of life. For a brief time, this balance seemed to be at risk, as Western hunters arrived enthusiastically to shoot lions. But by 1929, the entire Serengeti was declared a Game Reserve, in order to protect the parks wildlife. In 1951, it was given National Park status, making it the first in Tanzania.
In 1959, British colonisers forcibly removed the Maasai tribes who had been living within the boundaries of the Serengeti National Park for hundreds of years. This was done under the pretence of protecting the parks wildlife, and has therefore understandably remained a controversial decision over the years. Whilst it remains possible to experience Maasai culture nearby, there are no Maasai tribes left in the Serengeti itself.
Geography
The Serengeti National Park covers an area of almost 5020 square miles (13,000 sq. km), and makes up part of a larger ecosystem, which also includes the Ngorongoro Crater and the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya.
The Serengeti is comprised of several different landscapes. There are vast, empty grasslands in the south, whilst the savannah with its distinctive acacia trees forms the central belt. Further north, there are more hills, bushes and permanent sources of water. As a result, this is the best place to spot giraffe. The West is home to a number of black clay swamps, where many large crocodile can be found.
The Great Migration takes place each year at the end of the rainy season in May. The wildebeest mate and calve in the southern plains during the rains, and then when the land becomes parched, they flock towards the fertile northern plains. This tremendous migration, featuring more than a million wildebeest, as well as several thousand zebra, offers a great feast for the predators; lions and cheetah, who pursue the stampede. In November, the whole process takes place again in reverse, as they return to the grasslands to breed. This natural cycle is undeniably one of the most spectacular sights on earth.
Interesting Facts about Serengeti National Park
- Seronera, the park’s headquarters, is the only permanently inhabited place in the Serengeti, populated by researchers. It is located within the central savannah region, with long grasses, wide acacia trees and plenty of opportunities to spot all of the Serengeti’s main wildlife.
- Kopjes are the granite outcrops dotted around the plains of the Serengeti. They act as both lookout posts for predators, and hiding spots for prey. Furthermore, the kopjes even support their own ecosystems, with many plants and animals that wouldn’t be able to survive elsewhere in the Serengeti inhabiting the rock.
- The Serengeti derives its name from the Maasai language, and aptly means “endless plains”.
- Sadly, around 250,000 wildebeest die each year during the great annual wildebeest migration. The cause of death is often a result of thirst, exhaustion, hunger or predation.
What to do at Serengeti National Park
Unsurprisingly, Serengeti National Park is all about seeing and experiencing the park wildlife. The best option is to book a safari trip run by a tour operator. Most start in Arusha, though bare in mind that this is not a holiday for the budget conscious. Park fees alone are $50/day, plus an extra $30 for camping or vehicles. Safari tours will often offer an all-inclusive package, including accommodation, park fees, as well as a knowledgeable guide to take you to all the best areas.
In terms of attractions - if there ever was the perfect place for a hot air balloon ride - this is it. You can sail above the plains, spot wildlife and take in the enormity of the enchanting landscape. The most common thing to do at Serengeti National Park though, is taking photographs. Go snap happy and take home the most extraordinary photos you could imagine. A quick safety disclaimer though: don’t get too close to the animals.
How to get to the Serengeti National Park
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the most convenient airport for accessing the Serengeti National Park. Once at the airport, there are a number of buses and shuttle services that will take you on a 50km (31mi) journey to the town of Arusha; gateway to the Serengeti. Many safari tours start from Arusha and offer airport transfer services. Whilst less convenient, it’s also possible to get to Arusha from Nairobi airport, with both buses and tour services offering transfers daily.
When to visit Serengeti National Park
When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park? That depends entirely on the experience you are hoping for. Visit between January and February for the wildebeest calving, between June and September for general wildlife viewing and from June to July to be in with a chance of seeing wildebeest crossing the Grumeti River. In terms of weather, March and April is when the area experiences the greatest rainfall. The best weather is between June and October when there is virtually no rain.
Where to stay in Serengeti National Park
Staying in the Serengeti National Park for at least one night is an experience not to be missed: to watch the sun go down and the stars come out to the sound of cicadas and hooting birds is a magical experience.
Typically, if you have booked onto an organised Safari tour, you will stay in mobile camps, with limited facilities. Alternatively, you could stay in a Safari Lodge where you will be pampered with luxurious facilities and amenities. There are also a few luxury campsites within the park, along with a number of basic camping grounds. Note that in order to stay at one of the parks basic campsites, you will require permission from the Tanzanian National Parks Authority (TANAPA).
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