The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest animal sanctuaries in the world; the world-renowned lush green savannah plains are arguably the most famous safari destination in the world, making its way to tones of nature documentaries and feature films such as Disney’s The Lion King. Serengeti, derived from the Maasai word “stringent,” meaning endless plain, covers an area of around 14,763 square km, more significant than Connecticut! Making it one of the most incredible National parks on the continent.

Serengeti is divided into three main corridors/sections; the southern central area is known as the sooner valley, where the lush green grass plains dotted with tall umbrella-like acacia trees and filled with wildlife stretch to what seems like an eternity, the Grumeti river marks the western corridor it consists of forests and thick bushes, the Northern part is the Lobo area where Serengeti meets Kenya’s, Maasai Mara.

The Great Migration

The Serengeti ecosystem is famed for its Great Migration; this is arguably the park’s biggest draw. Millions of wildebeests, thousands of zebras, gazelles, and elands move clockwise from the north of Serengeti to the south, the west, and back to the north. These vast herds move in search of green grass and water; they create a seamless spectacle, one of the ultimate of its kind in the world. In addition, it is rumored that wildebeest can smell the rain from thousands of kilometers; this is how they become alert to where there are fresh pastures to go.

June to October is the dry season in central and south Serengeti, so the massive herds are due north, they travel through the western corridor crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River, creating a treacherous spectacle where hundreds of wildebeests are caught and killed by the hungry crocodiles, and this is one of the most naturally entertaining hunts one can see.

December to February is famously known as calving season. The wildebeests move to the now-wet south, and another extraordinary thing happens, the wildebeests have synchronized births! This wildebeest migration is fascinating and unusual, but it is the yearly norm; about 8,000 wildebeests are born daily. This spectacle also attracts predators like lions and leopards, so they quietly move to the enormous herds. They hunt down the wildebeests and claim hundreds of babies and some mothers, too, in the process.

Activities

Take game drives through this magical land, follow the Migration, or enjoy the enormous, diverse wildlife in the park; enjoy a birds view of the Serengeti from morning hot air balloon trips that will have you hovering over this rolling savannah and give you an idea that is so fascinating it is guaranteed to be with you always.

Enjoy sundowner cocktails in the beautiful endless savannah that turn brownish during the magical sunsets in the numerous safari lodges and mobile camps that have all price ranges to make the accommodation in the park affordable and enjoyable to everyone.

Best time to visit Serengeti

Serengeti is an all-year-round destination though some events, like the wildebeest crossing the Mara River, can be seen only at some specific times in a year. From November to May, for instance, the herds and safari goers have migrated to the south part of Serengeti, making exploring North Serengeti feel so surreal since it’s like you have a whole National Park to yourself!

Weather & Climate

The temperatures in the Serengeti are generally mild all year round, with the highest temperatures recorded reaching 23 centigrade and the lowest being around 12 centigrade.

Serengeti wildlife

The vast savannah is home to a diverse and remarkable number of species, 70 different species of big mammals and 500 bird species. The Great Migration offers about 1.5 million wildebeests, 750,000 gazelles, and over 250,000 zebras, moving in unison toward greener pastures. However, Migration, be it a phenomenon spectacle, is not all the park has to offer; the park is also home to all of the big five lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and the endangered black rhino; the park also has predators such as hyenas, wild dogs and cheetahs roaming the green savannah.

The predators hunt prey such as zebras, elands, and antelopes. The majestic giraffes can be seen picking at the tall acacia trees in the park. Crocodiles are found in the Grumeti and Mara rivers, and Hippos are spotted in the adjacent rivers.