Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly one of the most visited parks in East Africa. This park lies in the Serengeti Eco-system, between the Maasai Mara and the Simiyu Areas. Serengeti N/Park was designated as a national park in 1951 and it is also listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Serengeti National Park is an ultimate big game destination and one of the best spots to witness the wildebeest migration in Africa. It is one of Tanzania’s or East Africa’s largest parks, boasting of an extensive Eco-area of about 14763sq.kms. Serengeti National Park and Tarangire National Park form part of the premier Northern Circuit and the 2 protected areas are remarkably popular for their huge concentration of plains game.
Serengeti National Park is a wide protected area with 3 separate sections, consisting of the Southern section. This is comprised of the Central Area which includes the Seronera Valley what the Maasai refer to Serengit also popular as the Land of Endless Plains. Serengeti N/Park is a pristine savanna park boasting its beautiful acacia trees, sheltering huge colonies of wildlife.
Western Corridor is another significant section which constitutes Serengeti National Park ecosystem. This corridor consists of the Grumeti River with lush forests and dense bush. The North, Lobo region stretches up to the Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya and it is considerably the least visited side of Serengeti N/Park.
Serengeti N/Park is one of the oldest and largest ecosystem in the world, expanding up to 15,000sq.kms of land area. The park boasts of its impressive ecosystem and hosts a lush vegetation, faunal species and also human evolution history at Olduvai Gorge.
Serengeti National Park Tanzania-East Africa is a significant world heritage sites with a distinct ecosystem that inspired incredible world writers like Ernest Hemingway, Peter Matheissen including filmmakers especially Alan Root, Hugo Von Lawick. It is remarkably one of the best places in East Africa where you can witness about 1.5 million wildebeest as they migrate including over 200,000 zebras as they navigate south from the Northern hills towards the Southern Plains.
This is usually experienced during the short wet months of October and November. The wildebeest then migrate west and north after the long wet season which starts in April, May and June.
LOCATION OF SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK.
Serengeti National Park-SNP straddles strategically within the Northern Circuit of Tanzania, East Africa. It is found close to the Masai Mara Reserve Kenya. It attracts most of the Tanzania safari holidaymakers who are interested in witnessing the annual wildebeest migration experience.
Serengeti N/Park make up part of the expansive Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania. The Northern Circuit also encompasses the Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park-a home to a section of tree climbing lions, Ngorongoro Conservation Area-NCA and Tarangire National Park.
HISTORY OF SERENGETI N/PARK, TANZANIA.
Serengeti N/Park derives its name from the Maasai word “Siringet” and this is translated as the land of endless plains. This park has a unique history and it is believed that the early human evolution history can be traced from the Serengeti Area dating over 4 million years back.
Years back, the Masai used the Eastern Mara region as their grazing area for their livestock. It took those over 200 years to vacate when the first European-Austrain Oscar Baumann visited Serengeti Area in 1892. Baumann was followed by Stewart Edward White-the first American to also visit Serengeti in 1913. Stewart re-visited Serengeti after 7 years and he camped around Seronera for about 3 months and it was during his return when 50 lions were shot by him and the colleagues.
As a result of hunting, lion population became scarce in the Serengeti Eco-system. This resulted into establishment of a partial game reserve which covered 3.2sq.kms in 1921, it gained its full status as a reserve in 1929. The creation of the reserve led to establishment of Serengeti National Park in 1952.
In 1959, the Maasai were displaced from Serengeti by the British and they later occupied Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). The purpose was mainly to let wildlife conservation and protection in the Serengeti N/Park. Following Bernhard Grzimek’s words and Michael his son in the 1950s, Serengeti became a famous park. They published a book and later a film titled-Serengeti Shall Not Die’ and it greatly caught the attention of many.
Wildlife.
Serengeti National Park Tanzania is popular for its huge colonies of wildlife species. This designated UNESCO Heritage Site boasts of not only its millions wildebeest, 300,000 gazelles, 200,000 zebras and these can be spotted while witnessing the wildebeest migration.
Serengeti Eco-system also comprises of diversity of other species of wildlife that make it the preferred wildlife safari destination. The park protects a significant population of Oryx, warthogs, giraffes, hartebeest, eland, leopards, lions, African bush elephants, roan antelopes, water bucks, hippos, Topis, rhinos, Klipspringers.
Others include wild dogs, cheetahs, otters, jackals, cape hare, serval cats, aardvark, bat eared fox, crested porcupine, golden wolf. There are also a significant number of primate species including baboons, Vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys mostly ranging around the Grumeti River forest area.
Even if you are interested in reptiles, Serengeti National Park safari still has you sorted. The park shelters several of the serrated hinged terrapins, Nile crocodiles, Nile monitor, leopard tortoise, rainbow agama, black mamba, chameleons, African python to mention but a few.
Bird species.
Serengeti ecosystem also has a composition of about 500 bird species and they include migratory and endangered bird species. The park’s notable bird species range from black stork, the Masai ostriches, southern ground hornbill, Gray breasted spur fowl, ox-peckers, yellow billed stork, secretary birds, lovebirds, vultures, lesser flamingos, Kori bustards and helmeted guinea fowls. The birds and wildlife of Serengeti can excellently be explored while on a game drive or game viewing safari.
SERENGETI PARK ENTRY FEES.
Serengeti N/Park like other Tanzania national park is led by Tanzania National Parks Authority. The authority issues out entry fees and access to Serengeti National Park for a holiday, you pay a fee depending on visitor category. The entry fees to Serengeti are payable at the entrance or you use the smart card system.
The Serengeti park entry fees are usually valid up to 24 hours in case of holidaymakers who are interested in multiple entries and day entry permits run up to 12 hours. The foreign non-residents pay $60 if you are above 16 years, East African citizens plus Tanzania expatriates 16 years and above pay $30. The category of children between 5 and 15 years, entry fees to Serengeti is $10 if you are East African and free entry for East African children below 5 years.
Vehicle entry fees to Serengeti vary; the tare weight with maximum of 200kgs, you pay $40. From 2001 to 3000kgs, you will be charged $150. The camp entry fees also range from $30 for adults above 16 and they are interested in public campsites. Children of 5-15 years are charged $5 and below 5 years, you have free entry.
When to visit?
Serengeti N/Park is an open wildlife safari park to holidaymakers on Tanzania safaris. It attracts tourists all year-round for game viewing, bird watching, nature walks among the many activities offered in the park. But, wildebeest migration in Serengeti is best witnessed during the dry months of June to July.
Calving experience of wildebeests can be witnessed from December to February while safari game drives are best enjoyed from June to October. For exciting bird watching tours, Serengeti is ideal to explore from November, April.
Where to stay?
When it comes to accommodation facilities, Serengeti National Park Tanzania never disappoints. The available lodging choices in Serengeti range from budget to luxury.
Visitor lodging options include Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Serengeti Migration Camp, Kati Kati Camp, Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Mawe Luxury Tented Camp, Embalakai Authentic Camp, Four Seasons Safari Lodge and Kirawira Serena Camp.
Getting to Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti N/Park Tanzania is reachable in 2 ways; tourists can travel by road or by air. Taking the road transportation, you require a 4×4 safari vehicle and visitors can set off from Arusha, about 7 to 8 hours’ drive.
By air; it is possible to fly from Kilimanjaro Airport to Sasakwa Airstrip, Kogatende, Ndutu LDZ airstrip and Lobo Airstrip. From these airstrips, you can access various lodges in Serengeti National Park.
There are different airlines that arrange flights to various airstrips in and around Serengeti and they include Air Excel, Auric Air which flies to Lobo airstrip, Sasakwa, Grumeti airstrip. Regional Air that takes flights up to Grumeti, Lobo Sasakwa airstrips; Safari Plus, Flight Link or use coastal aviation.
Serengeti National Park Tanzania features different access points/gates including Naabi Hill Gate just a few kilometers away from Eastern Serengeti border area with Ngorongoro, Fort Ikoma Gate-this is one of the Serengeti National Park’s official entry and exit points, located a few kilometers from Grumeti Game Reserve. The other entry gates to Serengeti include Klein’s Gate, Bologonja Gate, Habdajega and Ndabaka Gates.
Book a safari to Serengeti national park, and enjoy Africa’s most popular and beautiful wildlife gem.
