About Serengeti National Park
- Size: 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles)
- Location: 335 km (208 miles) from Arusha, extending north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west
The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest and most celebrated national park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and recently acclaimed as one of the world’s “7 New Wonders.” It is renowned for hosting one of nature’s most incredible spectacles: the annual migration. Every year, more than a million wildebeest, along with 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle, embark on a cyclical journey across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, driven by ancient survival instincts. This migration is marked by dramatic crossings over crocodile-filled rivers, intense territorial struggles, and a seasonal calving period in which over 8,000 calves are born daily. This awe-inspiring phenomenon covers over 1,000 km (600 miles) as the herds move in search of fresh grazing.
While the migration is a highlight, the Serengeti remains a top destination year-round for unforgettable wildlife encounters. The park is home to vast herds of buffalo, families of elephants, graceful giraffes, and countless eland, topi, kongoni, impala, and Grant’s gazelles. Predators, including golden-maned lions, stealthy leopards, and a high density of cheetahs, roam the park in search of prey, making for thrilling wildlife observations. It’s also one of the few parks where all three African jackal species are present, alongside spotted hyenas and more elusive small predators like the aardwolf and serval cat.
Beyond its mammals, the Serengeti is a haven for diverse wildlife. Colorful agama lizards and rock hyraxes can be spotted on the park’s distinctive granite kopjes, while over 100 types of dung beetles and more than 500 bird species inhabit this ecosystem. Birdwatchers can delight in sightings of the giant ostrich, the unusual secretary bird, and the soaring black eagles above Lobo Hills.
The Serengeti’s landscape is equally captivating. Endless plains stretch across the savannah to a golden horizon, exuding a sense of boundless space. After the rains, this landscape transforms into a vibrant green, dotted with wildflowers. The park also features wooded hills, rivers lined with fig trees, acacia woodlands, and towering termite mounds. Despite its popularity, the Serengeti’s vastness allows for moments of solitude with nature’s drama unfolding before you, such as a pride of lions on a hunt.
Unique Experiences
Balloon Safaris: Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon for an extraordinary perspective, gliding over the Serengeti’s plains. These popular excursions can be arranged if you stay at least one night in the park.
Other Activities: Enjoy a range of experiences, from game drives and walking safaris to bush picnics and Maasai cultural visits. Highlights include exploring Maasai rock paintings, discovering “musical rocks,” and visiting nearby attractions such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, and the flamingo-rich Lake Natron.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Witness the Great Migration from late January to August
- Spectacular year-round wildlife viewing
- Expansive plains and authentic African landscapes
- High predator density for prime viewing
- Excellent accommodations, from mid-range to luxury lodges
- Unique hot-air balloon safaris
Cons:
- The Seronera area can be crowded during peak season (June, July, October to April)
The Wildebeest Migration Each year, over 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and other antelope travel from the Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara, creating an iconic scene of moving herds stretching across the plains. With good timing, you’ll witness one of nature’s most thrilling displays, where the horizon becomes a sea of migrating animals.
Wildlife The Serengeti offers some of Africa’s finest wildlife viewing. All major safari species are present in impressive numbers. Visitors have excellent chances of spotting cheetahs and four of the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo), though black rhino sightings are rare.
Scenery The Serengeti’s iconic landscape includes open grassland plains in the southeast, rugged hills in the north, and river valleys and forests to the west, providing a dramatic and untamed wilderness feel that captivates all who visit.
