The Serengeti National Park was established nearly a hundred years ago as a colonial game reserve, made a National Park in 1951, and later endorsed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. One of the last remaining areas of untouched wilderness, it lies securely in the Serengeti ecosystem, an area that stretches from the woodlands, lakes and grassy plains of Ndutu in southern Serengeti to the northern verdant river expanse till Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
Why Visit Serengeti
“There’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done.” When musicians Elton John and Tim Rice wrote the opening tune to Disney’s “The Lion King,” they were describing the “Circle of Life.” But this lyric serves as a fitting description for world-renowned Serengeti National Park. This magnificent game park sprawls across 5,700 square miles of northern Tanzania in East Africa.
Within the boundaries of the Serengeti, you’ll hear thousands of animals: Hyenas cackle as elephants trample well-worn safari roads and hippos splash in watering holes. And at any given time, more than 2,000 lions are poised to pounce on unsuspecting prey, preparing to chase their unlucky target through the seemingly endless waves of golden grass.
The scenery rustles with the swift steps of loping giraffes, and tree branches shake with every monkey’s movement. But the most magical site you’ll behold is The Great Migration, during which White’s paradise is drowned by a sea of animals as more than one million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles traverse the Serengeti in search of greener pastures.
Map of Serengeti National Park
Best things to do in Serengeti:
The main attraction here is the wildlife. Serengeti National Park houses the highest concentration of large mammals in the world, so you’re bound to spot giraffes, elephants, hippos and, of course, lions. You’ll also come across more than 500 species of birds, including ostriches and flamingos.
But while seeing one or two animals at a time may be exciting, nothing beats seeing them in a pack. The Great Migration is the Serengeti’s main draw: This voyage of more than one million wildebeest, zebras and other hoofed animals is one of the world’s largest wildlife spectacles. When you tire of gazing at grazers, head to Moru Kopjes to mingle with rhinos or to the Retina Hippo Pool to watch these massive mammals splash about.
The primary reason to visit Serengeti National Park is to witness The Great Migration. Considered one of the world’s largest animal migrations, The Great Migration involves more than one million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and a variety of other animals traversing the Serengeti annually in search of food and breeding grounds.
The top-rated hotels in Serengeti National Park are sorted by hotel class and then by user rating, as provided by TripAdvisor. The major distinction that needs to be made is the difference between mobile camps and permanent lodges. The mobile camps follow the migration throughout the year and have two or three ideal locations where they move to. The mobile camps are all tented and provide a more authentic and ‘real’ safari experience. Luxury is not compromised though and there is nothing better than opening the front of your luxury tent in the morning and stepping straight out onto the plains of the Serengeti.
Permanent camps on the other hand, do not move. They are in fixed locations throughout the year meaning that they might not be ideal if you want to witness the migration. The other animal population is so high in the Serengeti that although these camps may not have the migration near to them for a few months of the year, you can still expect to see plenty of predators and other plains game. It is definitely necessary to chat to one of our team to talk you through where the migration is and where the best camps are for the time of year you are looking to travel.
The lodges and camps in the Serengeti do vary in price considerably, ranging from more affordable camps to the highly luxurious and pricey lodges. No matter your budget, all of the camps we recommend for your every need. Below we have listed a few of our favourites:
What to eat in Serengeti?
Restaurants are few and far between in Serengeti National Park, but if you want to enjoy a sit-down meal, you’re in luck – several of the park’s lodges feature one or more on-site restaurants. Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, for example, has an eatery that specializes in buffet-style meals with traditional safari and Tanzanian fare, such as locally sourced coffee and tea, nyama choma (grilled meats) and ugali (a maize dish that has a porridge-like consistency). And at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, three dining venues are available, including an outdoor terrace with pizza and African-inspired tapas and an indoor buffet with various African and international dishes. Boma Grill, the property’s third restaurant, seats guests around an open-air fire pit as they savor African dishes and watch the Masai perform a traditional dance. Many Serengeti lodges will also offer bush dining experiences, where diners can enjoy a private meal in the wild.
However, most travelers opt to go on safari (most of which cover all meals in tour rates) or purchase food at one of the park’s convenience stores to prepare at a campsite. Safari tour operators that provide meals at a lodge or boxed to enjoy picnic-style include Trip Insight Tanzania . Keep in mind that some companies charge an additional fee for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. For budget-conscious travelers, the park sells drinks, snacks and raw meat for grilling at convenience stores in the Seronera River Valley and Naabi Hill.
Best time to Visit Serengeti National Park:
The best times to visit Serengeti National Park are from January to February or from June through September, although you should plan your trip around the movement of The Great Migration.
For example, winter is the best time to see the herd in Southern Serengeti, while the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti are the best places to spend the summer and autumn months. Most safari operators will have a good idea of where the animals are headed and when, and most will adjust their itineraries based on the herd’s movement.
Temperatures remain relatively constant with daytime highs resting in the 80s. You’ll find cooler weather in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area due to its higher elevation. April and May see the most rainfall, and many lodges and camps close for this slower season.
Getting Around Serengeti National Park
The best way to get around Serengeti National Park is by safari. Safari guides know how to best navigate the park’s dirt roads and how to find the most fascinating wildlife. Many safari packages also cover transportation to and from the airstrips, food and lodging. If you prefer to travel on your own, you can rent a car (and even hire a driver) at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is located about 190 miles east of the park’s main entrance, Naabi Hill Gate. Additionally, all five regions of the Serengeti – Northern Serengeti, the Western Corridor, Eastern Serengeti, Central Serengeti and Southern Serengeti – are accessible by air through several regional carriers and nine internal airstrips.
SafariTo make the most of your visit to Serengeti National Park, consider booking a safari tour. Knowledgeable guides can provide a wealth of information on the park’s regions and wildlife. Some tour operators offer a variety of ways to get around, including hiking and driving. You can even see a bird’s-eye view of the park on a hot air balloon safari. To save money, consider booking a safari package, which are offered by companies like African Dream Safaris and Serengeti Select Safaris and include transportation, lodging, food and so much more. | PlaneThough the only options for getting around the park are to travel by safari tour or car, visitors can get to and from Serengeti National Park by plane. There are nine airstrips found inside the park. The Seronera airstrip serves Central Serengeti; the Lobo, Kleins and Kogatende airstrips provide access to the north; the Grumeti, Kirawira and Sasakwa airstrips offer service to the Western Corridor; and the Kusini and Ndutu airstrips are situated in Southern Serengeti. Round-trip flights generally cost between $396 and $435 per person. |
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa” – Hemingway
