A million Wildebeest... each one driven by the same ancient rhythm, fulfilling its instinctive role in the inescapable cycle of life: a three-week bout of territorial conquests and mating and survival of the fittest as 40km long columns plunge through Crocodile-infested waters on the annual journey north; replenishing the species in a brief population explosion that produces more than 8,000 calves daily before the 1,000 km pilgrimage begins again. Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of Buffalo, smaller groups of Elephant and Giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of Eland, Topi, Kongoni, Impala and Grant’s Gazelle. The spectacle of predator versus prey dominates Tanzania’s greatest park. Lion prides feast on the abundance of plain’s antelope. Solitary Leopards haunt the acacia trees lining the Seronera River, while a high density of Cheetahs prowls the southeastern plains. All three African Jackal species occur here, alongside the Spotted Hyena and a host of more elusive small predators, ranging from the Aardwolf to the beautiful Serval Cat. But there is more to Serengeti than large mammals. Agama Lizards and Rock Hyraxes scuffle around the surfaces of the park’s isolated granite koppies. A full 100 varieties of dung beetle have been recorded, as have 500-plus bird species, ranging from the Ostrich and elegant Secretary bird of the open grassland, to the Black Eagles that soar effortlessly above the Lobo Hills. As enduring as the game-viewing is the liberating sense of space that characterises the Serengeti Plains, stretching across sunburnt savannah to a shimmering golden horizon at the end of the earth. Yet, after the rains, this golden expanse of grass is transformed into an endless green carpet flecked with wildflowers. And there are also wooded hills and towering termite mounds, rivers lined with fig trees and acacia woodland stained orange by dust.
Size
14 763 Sq Kilometres
Location
335 kms from Arusha stretching north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west.
Getting There
Scheduled and charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara and Mwanza or a scenic drive from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater.
When to go
Wildebeest Migration (December to July) and to see predators June to October. The route & timing of the migration is unpredictable so allow for 3 days to be assured of seeing them on your visit.
7 REASONS TO ROVE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
• Wildebeest Migration
• Hot Air Balloon Safaris
• Masai Rock Paintings and Musical Rocks
• All Three Species of African Jackal
• Bird Watching
• 100 Varieties of Dung Beetle
