Serengeti National Park – Attractions & Activities
Serengeti National Park is a big park in Tanzania where lots of animals live. It’s famous for the wildebeest migration from Tanzania to Kenya. This park is huge, about 14,763 square kilometers. It’s next to Kenya’s Masai Mara and goes all the way to Lake Victoria.
If you’re in Tanzania and don’t see Serengeti National Park, you’re missing out. The word “Serengeti” means endless plains in the language of the Maasai people who live there. This park is in the north of Tanzania and part of the south of Kenya. It’s mostly grassy plains, covering about 1.5 hectares.
Every year, something amazing happens in the Serengeti. Lots of animals like zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles move from one place to another, crossing rivers like the Grumeti. Their predators follow them. Also, the park is home to some animals that are in danger, like the black rhinoceros.
The Maasai people used to live on the land where the Serengeti is now. The name “Serengeti” comes from their language. It means a place where the land seems to go on forever. Back in 1913, an American named Stewart Edward White visited the northern part of the Serengeti. He came back in 1920 with friends to hunt lions.
The British government saw that there were fewer lions in the area, so they decided to protect the land. They kicked out the Maasai people and moved them to another place called the Ngorongoro Conservation Unit in 1959. That’s where they still live today. Serengeti is the oldest national park in Tanzania and it’s very important for tourism in the country.
Attractions & Activities in the Serengeti National Park
Game Drives
One of the best things to do in the Serengeti is to go on a morning animal watching trip. This is when you can see many different animals, like the big 5 (elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses). Animals are most active in the morning and evening. In the morning, you can see animals like hyenas, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hippos. Lions especially like hunting in the early morning. The morning animal watching trip starts when the sun rises and finishes around 11:00 am. The roads are bumpy, and you might need help from a guide to see and identify all the different animals and birds you find.
Guided Nature Walks
Nature walks are a great way to explore the Serengeti in a different way than driving around in a car. During nature walks, you can see reptiles, birds, insects, and rare plants. You don’t follow a specific path, so it’s unpredictable. Armed rangers who know the area and the animals well usually escort you. They can take you on nature walks from some of the accommodations.
Hot Air Balloon Adventure
If you want a unique view of the Serengeti and don’t mind spending some money, you can go on a hot air balloon ride. From way up high, you can see the plains and the animals that live there. Hot air balloon rides are very popular during the wildebeest migration. They start early in the morning and end with breakfast in the wilderness. Hot air balloons can carry between 12 to 16 people. You need to book your ride beforehand and be ready to pay around $500. It’s a special experience, especially for honeymooners or those celebrating a special occasion.
Bush Dinners
Having dinner in the middle of the African wilderness can be unforgettable, especially if you’re with someone special. Many good hotels can arrange a dinner under the stars with fancy tables set up.
Visiting the Serengeti Visitor Center
If you want to learn more about the park, you should visit the Serengeti Visitor Center. There, you can see exhibits and learn about the ecosystem and history of the park. After touring the center, you can also visit the gift shop or relax in the picnic area.
The Olduvai Gorge
The Olduvai Gorge, also called the “cradle of mankind,” is where the first human remains were found by the Leakey family. It’s located in the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Leakey family found fossils and tools over 2 million years old. You can see these artifacts in a small museum there.
Visiting the Ngorongoro Crater
Although it’s not technically part of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater is nearby and worth a visit. It’s home to over 30,000 large mammals and has been called a “garden of Eden” for wildlife. The crater was formed when a big volcano exploded and collapsed. Animals were attracted to the water and plants in the crater and stayed there. You can see wildlife all year round because the animals don’t migrate. Masai herdsmen also take care of their animals there, so you might see them too.
Getting to and Around the Serengeti
Driving to the Serengeti
To get to the Serengeti, you can drive from Arusha, which is the closest airport. The drive takes about eight hours, covering a distance of 325 kilometers (202 miles). Along the way, there are places where you can refuel your vehicle if needed. However, it’s important to note that there aren’t many facilities to help if your car breaks down. The roads outside of the cities are mostly made of dirt and can be bumpy with lots of potholes. If you’re renting a car, it’s best to get a 4×4 vehicle to handle the rough terrain.
Flying to the Serengeti
Instead of driving, you can also choose to fly to the Serengeti, which can be quicker and less stressful. Flying gives you a better sense of how vast the landscape is. There are scheduled and charter flights available from Arusha, Lake Manyara, and Mwanza to the Serengeti. These flights operate daily. For example, a flight from Arusha to the southern part of the Serengeti takes about an hour, while a flight from Dar es Salaam to Arusha takes two hours. If you book your trip through a tour operator like Nkuringo Safaris, they can arrange the flights for you. Once you land, the lodges in the area will usually send someone to pick you up from the airstrip.
When is the Best Time to Go?
The Best Time for Your First Safari
If you’re planning your first safari in the Serengeti National Park, it’s best to go during the Dry season, which lasts from late June to October. During this time, the weather is dry and the wildlife viewing is excellent. The highlight of this season is the wildebeest migration, which is a must-see spectacle. However, you can still see plenty of wildlife throughout the year.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The timing of the wildebeest migration can vary from year to year, but for the best chance of witnessing it, aim to visit around June to July. Another interesting time to visit is during late January to February when you can see the wildebeest calving. To make sure you have enough time to see the migration and other wildlife interactions, plan for your safari to last at least three days. If you want to see more and spend more time observing the animals, consider staying longer.
