What is Serengeti National Park?

There are plenty of things that make Serengeti unique. First, it is one of the seven wonders of the world. This park is popular among wildlife enthusiasts, with unique plants, birds, and animals.

Next, the ecosystem of Serengeti is one of the largest and oldest on the earth. The weather patterns and the flora and fauna have witnessed barely minimum transformation. Finally, this area is also the ancestral land of the Maasai tribe, and if you visit here, you’ll get a chance to witness the Swahili culture.

January to February is usually the best time to visit this wildlife sanctuary. During this time, you will find plenty of wildebeest strolling around, and it is the best time to see wildebeest calving. If you’re more interested in general wildlife, visit the park between June and September. Do note that June and July are the best chances of seeing The Great Migration and is the high season as the park is practically crowded. April and May, on the other hand, qualify as the low season. If you want to visit during the best weather, try visiting between June and October.

What is The Great Wildebeest Migration?

Every year, Serengeti witnesses the iconic Wildebeest migration. This usually commences during December from the Ngorongoro region of Southern Serengeti. Since these areas have rich grasslands, the wildebeest flock here for food. It is an excellent attraction for tourists, and although many assume this to be intense and short-lived, in reality, it is a slow trek.

The great migration takes place in search of fresh rain-ripened grass and water. The roughly 750,000 Zebra use this migration path, the 1.2 million wildebeest, and the other hundreds of games that participate in this iconic migration, such as Eland and Thompson’s gazelle. The leaders of the herds appear to be the zebra, while the wildebeest, though much larger in numbers than the zebra, appear to be muddle-headed in their decision-making regarding routes and timing. The migrating animals move in a circle west across the Serengeti Plain and north into the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Then they turn back south into the Serengeti again.

The wildebeests participating in this migration give birth to their young during February and March. This inadvertently sparks the predators. Finally, when the southern and eastern plains dry out by May, the herd of wildebeests moves across the northern and western parts, crossing the iconic Grumeti River. It is important to note that the area along the river is rich in young and sweet grass. Wildebeests prefer taking this route since there’s also a reliable water source. By the end of summer (typically September), the rainy season will start again, and the migration will return to the Serengeti.

The instances of death among wildebeest are particularly common during the migration. Around 250,000 wildebeest died while moving from Tanzania to Masai Mara Reserve in the lower parts of Kenya. According to the World Wildlife Fund, this is an entire area of 500 miles. Most deaths happen due to thirst, exhaustion, and immense hunger. There are, however, instances of predation as well.

One of the defining features of the Great Migration is that it doesn’t have any specific beginning or end. Instead, it rhythmically moves around in a clockwise direction. This makes it a little easier to predict the migration track. The best way to plan your safari is to know the migration path and plan to visit when you think the animals will be there. Of course, seasons can change early and unexpectedly, making it not always a guarantee to see. Nonetheless, the Serengeti is always known to have a variety of wildlife year-round.

What to Expect from a Serengeti Safari?

Serengeti National Park Safari will completely engage your senses, which is rare in our modern technology-driven age. It is one of the few activities that offer abundant sightings of wildlife. It is like visiting the biggest zoo in the world. The best part is seeing the animals roam the Serengeti plains and not behind tough cages and solid concrete.

A safari in Serengeti will allow you to see and mingle with a wide range of wildlife. Unlike any other experience, you see the animals where they truly belong- amid the wilderness. You will witness life’s circle playing out across your eyes daily. At the end of it all, you will have a more profound degree of attachment to the natural world.

Serengeti is one of those few spots where you can still witness the Big Five. These include lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinoceros. These iconic creatures will join several millions of zebras and wildebeest for the Great Migration every year.

During your safari, you will see these animals live in action. Whether it is the lions or the common predators like Cheetahs and Hyenas- you will see them all in the Serengeti National Park. Several herds of buffalo will travel with the wildebeest and zebras as they finally reach the rivers and water bodies. These water bodies house several hundreds of hippos and crocodiles. You might even spot the bushbaby and the rhinos if lucky enough.

While night-time visits to the park are prohibited, you can still witness these animals beyond the park’s boundaries. You might see or hear these predators hunting their prey at night.

In addition to the featured wildlife, you might also encounter antelopes during your safari. Yes, by antelopes, we are talking about the massive Eland and the smaller dik-dik. You will also come across Grant’s gazelles as they stroll along the waterbuck. The subsequent woodlands around this are houses, bushbucks, impalas, and beautiful klipspringers.

What Activities Can You Do in the Serengeti?

You can enjoy plenty of activities on your safari in the Serengeti National Park. As mentioned earlier, you can take a daytime safari where you’ll spot both common and uncommon wildlife. If you are a birdwatcher, you can try finding the unique birds of this region. If you are not afraid of heights, we recommend taking a hot air balloon safari through the Serengeti. Balloon safaris provided the best game-viewing experience with a bird’s-eye view of the Serengeti and wildlife. See a pride of lions looking for breakfast, herds of wildebeest, or pods of hippos heading back to water before sunrise. Finally, after experiencing an “African massage” from your safari game drive earlier, you can relax at your lodge or campsite with a proper massage or experience the African Serengeti sunset with a sundowner.

Experience the adventure of a lifetime as you travel through the Serengeti plains, whether by driving, hot air balloon, or scenic flights in or out of the Serengeti.