Activities to do in Serengeti National Park Tanzania : Serengeti National Park is situated in the northern part of Tanzania, primarily in the Simiyu and Mara regions. The park lies to the west of the Great Rift Valley and is adjacent to Kenya’s Masai Mara, making it a critical area for the migration of wildlife. The park’s landscape is diverse which contributes to its rich biodiversity. Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most renowned national parks in the world. The national park covers an area of approximately 14,763 square kilometers and is part of the Serengeti ecosystem, which extends into neighboring Kenya with the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Serengeti National Park was officially established in 1951. Initially, it was designated as a game reserve in 1921, and due to its ecological significance and the need for wildlife conservation. It was elevated to national park status. The national park was named after the Maasai word “Siringet” which means “Endless plains” reflecting the vast open grasslands that characterized much of the area. The establishment of the park as spearheaded by the need to protect the migratory routes and habitats of various wildlife species, particularly the wildebeest and zebras population.
Serengeti National Park is famous for its incredible wildlife, particularly the annual Great Migration, where over a million wildebeest, along with zebras and other herbivores, move through the plains in search for grazing pastures and water. This spectacular event typically occurs from December to July, with the wildebeest following a cyclical route influenced by seasonal rains. in addition to the migratory species, the park is home to numerous other wildlife such as lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, rhino, hyena, hippos, dik-dik, Nile crocodile, gazelle, monkeys, impala, hartebeest, Topi, waterbuck, hyrax and pythons among others. Serengeti National Park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 600 species recorded such as are the great African Ostrich, vultures, Black-headed Heron, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Decken-Toko Tockus, Grey-breasted spurfowl, Grey-headed sparrow among others
Game drives
A game drive in the Serengeti is without doubt the most popular thing to do. It is the best way to see Big 5 and other resident creatures. Game drives in Serengeti National Park are conducted in different sections sic as early morning game drives and night game drives when the animals in the Serengeti are very active in the morning and evening hours. The morning game drive starts at sunrise and ends at around 11: am. It is designed to allow tourists spot nocturnal animals retreating back to their holes/dens or observe herbivores going out to graze. The morning game drive are the perfect spotting predators as they return from night time hunts such as hyenas, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards and hippos as they return from a night of grazing outside the pools and many animals are most active during the cooler morning hours. Lions love hunting in night and early in the morning before the sun gets too hot.
Whereas Night game drives are generally not permitted in the Serengeti National Park, a number of outfitters can arrange it in neighboring reserves. The Serengeti and private conservancies are home to many nocturnal animals like civets, aardvarks, nightjars and bush babies. Night game drives also offer travelers the opportunity to observe zebras, hyenas, impala, giraffes, jackals and foxes. Lions, hyenas and Leopards are very active at night. It is the best time to spot them take down prey and many more.
Guided Nature walks
Nature walks are one of the best ways to explore and discover the hidden gems of the Serengeti on foot, unlike game drives, nature walks allow tourists to get closer encounters with the park’s diverse wildlife. The Nature walks are unpredictable and you don’t follow specific tracks. During a guided nature walk, you’ll have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife up close including wildebeest, zebras, Thompson’s gazelle, buffalos, lion, rhino, colorful butterflies, unique insects as well as birds and rare plants along the way. Most nature walks are organized by some of the accommodation facilities. You will be escorted by an armed ranger who is experienced in the terrain and knows about the different species in the park.
Hot air balloon safari
Hot air balloon safari is one of the most popular activities in the park, the hot air balloon safari in Serengeti National Park usually take place in the early morning hours when the sun is rising, offering a magical vies of the savannah awakening to a new day. as you float gracefully above the trees and grasslands, you will have the opportunity to witness the park’s diverse wildlife in action. From herds of elephants and giraffes grazing peacefully to predatory cats on the hunt, the aerial perspective allows you to observe the animals in their natural habitat without disturbing or altering their behavior.
One of the most exciting aspects of a hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti is the chance to witness the Great Migration from above. The annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras and other herbivores across the plains of east Africa is a truly awe-inspiring sight, and seeing a hot air balloon adds on extra level of excitement and wonder to the experience. Apart from the wildlife sightings, the serene and peaceful atmosphere of floating high above the Serengeti is a truly magical experience. The silence of the early morning, broken only by the occasional blast of the burner, creates a sense of tranquillity and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings.
Exploring the Bologonja Springs
These stunning springs are situated in the northeastern corner of the park. The Bologna springs offer some of the most astonishing views in the Serengeti. The springs provide water which allows vegetation to thrive throughout the year. This in turn attracts several species of small primates, birds, migrating animals, giraffes, elephants, steenbok, mountain reedbuck and many other plant eaters. Because of their remoteness, you get to explore them without the large crowds seen in central Serengeti.
Cultural visit
Visiting Maasai village is often a highlight for travelers, offering a glimpse into their way of life which has remained largely unchanged over the centuries. The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists living in most parts of Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. They are arguably the most known East African tribal group. They still believe in their ancient traditional practices and values. A visit to one their villages is an excellent opportunity to learn about their culture, and traditional beliefs, learn about age-old rituals and engage with the community members who warmly share their customs and stories. The Maasai are known for their deep connection to the land, which they often refer as “Enkang ‘Narok” meaning “the place of sweet wasters”. They are very friendly and will show you how to hunt, milk domestic animals, make beads, pottery and weaving, cook traditional food and much more. After visiting the individual homesteads, you can also visit one of the local schools, attend traditional dance performances and buy handicrafts among other aspects.
Viewing the Wildebeest Migration
Over 1.6 million herbivores such as wildebeest, zebras and gazelles migrate between the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara National Reserve each year. As they move, they go through great challenges and have to evade predators like lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs. One of their greatest challenges is crossing the Mara River as they cross to Kenya. They have to cross the crocodile infested river and deal with the high current. If they cross at the wrong point of the river, they risk drowning or stampeding on each other leading to thousands of deaths. The wildebeest migration attracts tourists to the Serengeti because it offers countless opportunities to witness the great battles between prey and predator. Tourists can also spend the whole day viewing the wildebeest graze or give birth
Birdwatching
The Serengeti National Park is home to 600 recorded species of birds. 100 of them are permanent residents of the park while 11 are endemic to the Serengeti. There are also migratory birds that visit the park between November and April. They come all the way from Europe and North Africa. During your Tanzania birdwatching safari in Serengeti National Park, you will have the chance to spot a variety of colorful birds such as White-bellied go-away bird, White-crowned shrike, Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Grey-breasted spurfowl, Grey-headed sparrow, Purple Grenadier, Red-backed scrub, Ostrich, vultures, Black-headed Heron, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Decken-Toko Tockus, Rufous-tailed weaver, Secretary birds, The Kori bustard, Variable Sunbird among others
Visiting the Lobo Valley
The Lobo valley is the best place to spot lions and other big cats in the Serengeti. The big cats are attracted to the valley because of abundant prey and permanent waterholes. Apart from the big cats, the Lobo Valley also attracts baboons, elephants and giraffes. Between July and November, the valley is the center of the great migration. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to witness a variety of incredible wildlife such as zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles enjoying the lush green grass in the area.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about activities to do in Serengeti National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East African Tours who offer the best tour packages while on you are in the country.
