What to do in Serengeti National Park
Activities to do in the Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park was formed in 1952, and at this time it encompassed the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Serengeti National Park is a world-renowned gem located in northern Tanzania, which is the pulse of African wildlife. The park is renowned for an unending plain whose hills are punctuated with kopjes, rivers as well and acacia trees. The big 5 mammals (elephants, buffalo, rhinos, leopards and lions), wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, African dogs, hippos, crocodiles and much more than 450 species of birds reside in these features.
Due to its vast grasslands, the Serengeti National Park is the best safari destination where people interested in game drives or those who want to witness the great migration of animals. This migration is of the zebras, gazelles and wildebeest of more than 2 million. It has been termed as one of the most fantastic wildlife spectacles on earth.
The Serengeti National Park is available throughout the year. But in order to see the great migration, you must be there in time. Migration is most wonderful to pursue in Serengeti National Park between May to June and December to March. During May to June, the wildebeest are observed near the River Grumeti. The places should be visited in the Southern Plains so that the best sights can be viewed during the winter months of December to March. The later months of the year, like July to October, are also a great time to visit the Northern regions such as Kogatende, Lobo and Loliondo. This is the point where wildebeest abandoned Tanzania and joined Kenya by crossing the Mara River. The Central Serengeti is characterised by the fact that the animals are observable throughout the year.
The Great Migration
The great migration is one of the most phenomenal events of nature on the planet as the huge number of wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles cross the Serengeti in search of greener pastures. The key is time, in case you would like to see this dramatic happening. June to July, gazelles stampede across the Grumeti River, and crossing the Mara River tends to be July-September-based, with crocodiles, dust and adrenaline thrown into the mix.
This alone attracts tourists globally and is the highlight of most Tanzania safaris, and it is an item that should be top on the agenda of anyone planning to undertake tours in Tanzania.
Game Drives
A classic game drive will be incomplete without a visit to Serengeti National Park. Master the skills of the professional trackers by driving in a 4×4, and be on the lookout for the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos. Predators, either on the move or in the shade, can be tracked on early mornings/ late afternoons. Each journey is an experience of a kind- you could be lucky to see a cheetah running after its prey or an elephant herd wallowing in a waterhole. In most tours in Tanzania, they will give you a full or half-day safari, depending on which interests you have, i.e. taking wildlife photos or just absorbing as much as you want.
Hot Air Balloon safari
You will have an aerial view of the plains and the animals which roam the lands of the Serengeti as you are thousands of feet above the ground. The Tanzania safaris that are becoming popular, especially during the migration period of wildebeests, are hot air balloon safaris where the viewers can see them by the thousands. Hot air balloon safaris begin in early morning, and the Tanzania safari culminates in a champagne breakfast in the African wilds. The number of people who can be accommodated in hot air balloons is 12 to 16. You will have to reserve your tour and be ready to pay approximately $500. Hot air balloon safaris are very good on a honeymoon and when someone wants to have a birthday party or an anniversary party. You will not forget the time you get a bird’s-eye view of the plains of Serengeti and the popular wildlife in Africa. Hot air Balloon Safaris are also a common add/on in the luxurious Tanzania safari and an unrivalled alternative to game drives.
Walking Safaris
In a guided walking safari, there is more of a back-to-nature experience. Mustered by skilled rangers, these walks tap into the minor miracles of the Serengeti, animal footprints, useful greens, ant hills and the naked excitement of walking across wild animals. This experience is commonly found in the exclusive conservancies bordering the park, and it is ideal for adventure lovers who want a more personal and heart-pumping endeavour.
Retina Hippo Pool
The Retina Hippo Pool lies on the Seronera River and is filled with dozens of hippos wallowing in muddy water and arguing loudly with each other every once in a while. Viewing platforms allow you (and the wildlife) to get a good dose of viewing at low intensity, as these huge beasts grunt, snort and splash about. It is a good stopover to take pictures, as birdlife is also plentiful here. Your central Serengeti trip cannot be complete without visiting this underrated spot.
Local Culture around Serengeti National Park
The Maasai people
Serengeti is not only a place of animals, but also the Maasai, being one of the most famous tribes in East Africa. The Maasai tribe is well known as the tribe with red shukas (robes), beadwork, and cattle-focused life. The tribe has coexisted with wildlife in the wilderness continuously through the ages.
A visit to a Maasai village, commonly known as a boma, provides information on their culture, ceremonies, and ways of life. See how they construct houses using mud and sticks, listen to their folk songs, and get to know about the cultural values which this strong community follows.
One of the most educational activities during the Tanzania tours is respectful cultural tourism, which is very rewarding to the local people.
Historical Insights on Serengeti National Park
Olduvai Gorge
Slightly away in the park is the Olduvai Gorge, which is among the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world. Known to some as the “Cradle of Mankind”, this region has produced fossilised remains of early man exceeding 2 million years old. A tour through the museum in this place provides an intriguing insight into our human beginning and also serves as a reminder that we are so fully entwined with the land. Visit here with a Tanzania safari in the Serengeti to have an unforgettable experience unmatched.
Travel Tips
Ideal Visiting Time Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is a park that you can visit all year round, but the season can make or break your trip:
May -October: The best time to view wildlife and the great migration, with high chances of good weather. It is high season for Tanzania safaris, and reservations should be made in advance.
November-March (wet Season): Fewer tourists, green surroundings and fabulous bird watching. The calving season is then in February, so predator action is high.
Rainy Season: April-May Rates are lower, as the weather is very rainy and roads are tricky. The park is beautiful due to the rain and is totally quiet.
Tour and travel operators can either adapt their itinerary to suit the migration trend or shun the crowds, depending on your wish.
Where to Stay
The accommodation tops the list: there are budget campsites, luxurious lodges with infinity pools and fine dinners.
Accommodation: The use of public campsites or roofless or tented camps, such as Seronera Public Camp.
Midrange: Tented lodges that are comfortable, such as Kati Kati Camp or Serengeti Heritage Camp.
Luxury: Best in-class accommodations such as Four Seasons Safari lodge or Singita Grumeti Reserve.
Book accommodations with reliable tour companies to guarantee smooth logistics and additional benefits.
Hidden Gems
Even outside of the perennial touristic routes, the Serengeti holds a few secrets:
Moru Kopjes: Lion and rarely occurring black rhinos roam around in these granite outcrops. Good for hiking and photo-hiking.
Lobo Valley: Has rich wildlife and is not very crowded, especially alluring during the time of migration.
Ndutu Region: It is unbelievable in the calving season (Jan-March), and you see the babies and all the predatory activities.
Conclusion
Visiting Serengeti National Park is not a trip; it is a journey back to something primitive and great. The Serengeti is the place where you may feel the drama of the Great Migration or enjoy a time sitting around a campfire and under the starry sky. It will impress you and stay in your memory forever.
