The Serengeti National Park - Tanzania
The name 'Serengeti' comes from the Maasai language and appropriately means an 'endless plains'. The Serengeti National Park is as big as Northern Ireland, but its ecosystem, which includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Maswa Game Reserve and the Maasai Mara Game reserve (in Kenya). It lies between the shores of Lake Victoria in the west, Lake Eyasi in the south, and the Great Rift Valley to the east. As such, it offers the most complex and least disturbed ecosystem on earth.
Serengeti Plains in Tanzania
Getting to Serengeti National Park:
By road, a 6 hour drive from Arusha town to Serengeti. Click for Car Hire in Tanzania. By Air, 1 hour flight, from Arusha airstrip to Serengeti. Click for flights to Serengeti.
Attractions at Serengeti National Park
This is a wildlife sanctuary with three million large mammals and about 35 species of animals can be seen there including the “big five” other common species found here includes hippo, giraffe, eland, impala and other antelope types, baboons, monkey and a profusion of over 500 species of birds. The park is famous for its 400 species of birdlife, both migrant and resident, and the black and white colobus monkey.
In May or early June, huge herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra begin their spectacular migration. In their wake follow predators; lion, cheetah and wild dogs with vultures circling overheard.
The Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park
To follow the wildebeest migration, December-July. To see predators, June-October.
Accommodation and Lodging options at Serengeti
Serengeti National park has a number of lodges and camps.
Seronera Wildlife Lodge – 150 beds
Lobo Wildlife Lodge – 150 beds
Serengeti Sopa Lodge – 154 beds
Serengeti Serena Lodge – 144 beds
Serena Kirawira Luxury Permanent Tented Camp – 50 beds
Mbuzi Mawe Luxury Tented Camp -
Grumeti Luxury Permanent Tented Camp – 20 beds
Kusini Camp – 18 beds
Kempinski Bilila Lodge -
Mbalageti Tented Camp – 50 beds
There are also Tanzania National Parks authorities campsites for budget travelers.
