Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s most popular tourist destinations. The park is home to a large variety of animals, including lions, elephants, and cheetahs. The Serengeti National Park is a 3000 sq. km. ecosystem that spans Tanzania and Kenya. It was established in 1952, making it the oldest and largest national park in East Africa. The Serengeti encompasses an area of 14,763 square kilometers (5,669 square miles) and was named after the Maasai word “siringet” which means “endless plains”. The park is home to more than 3 million animals; this includes more than 1 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebras and 200,000 Thomson’s gazelles. The park is also home to a large number of bird species, including vultures, eagles, and storks. Visitors to the park can also expect to see a variety of reptiles, including crocodiles and snakes.

The Serengeti is without a doubt the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle. Three million or more large mammals: elephant, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, lion, gazelle galore, rhinoceros, giraffe and more than 60 species of large mammals inhabit the great plain, its riparian forests and bustling, decorated kopjes. The home of the fabulous Great Wildebeest Migration, the name Serengeti has come synonymous with the African safari experience. The putatively everlasting savannah plains of the park are home to Africa’s most notorious creatures as well as a cast of lower known but no less intriguing creatures. Known for the Great Migration, during which more than 2 million animals migrate north to the Masai Mara and back to the Ngorongoro region, the park is just as fascinating at any other time of year. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the park is the presence of animals. Your entire drive is accompanied by game viewing, so there will never be a dull moment. When planning a visit to the park, it’s important to appreciate the sheer size of the Serengeti, as it is generally divided into northern, southern, eastern, western, and central. Each region offers different in-game driving experiences and accommodation options, with the Great Migration traversing some regions more than others. From humble campsites to luxurious hotels and lodges, the park has everything to explore in a day or a few weeks.

Park’s Highlights

Size: 14,763 square kilometres.
Location: 335 north of Arusha.
Best Time: December to July for the Great Wildebeest Migration. June to October for predators.
To Do: Great Migration, hot air balloon safaris, game drives, Olduvai Gorge, Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, and flying safaris.
Known For: The Great Wildebeest Migration. The world’s most famous game viewing park.