Serengeti National Park is one of the most iconic wildlife reserves in the world, located in northern Tanzania. It’s known for its incredible biodiversity and is famous for the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeests, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, migrate in a continuous circle in search of fresh grazing land. The migration, a dramatic spectacle, is often seen as one of the most impressive natural events on Earth.
The park spans over 14,750 square kilometers (5,700 square miles) of protected area, making it Tanzania’s oldest and most famous national park. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site and forms part of the Serengeti Ecosystem, which extends to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
1. Wildlife
The Serengeti is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), though rhinos are more elusive and fewer in number.
In addition to the Big Five, the park is home to an array of other animals including cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and hippos.
Birdlife is also abundant, with over 500 species recorded in the park.
2. The Great Migration
The migration is the most famous event in Serengeti, and it’s driven by the search for food and water. The wildebeests begin in the southern Serengeti (in areas like Ndutu) and then head north toward the Masai Mara in Kenya, crossing rivers along the way—often involving dramatic crossings of crocodile-infested waters.
The timing of the migration varies each year, but typically it occurs between December and July.
3. Savanna Landscape
The park is mostly savanna, with vast plains, acacia woodlands, and some forested areas near rivers. These diverse landscapes support the variety of animals and plants in the park.
4. Cultural Significance
The park is named after the Maasai word "Serengit," which means "endless plains"—a fitting description of the vast, expansive grasslands that dominate the landscape.
The Serengeti region is also home to the Maasai people, who have coexisted with wildlife for centuries. Some Maasai still live near the park and maintain their traditional ways of life.
5. Safari Experiences
Serengeti is one of the best places to go on a safari. The park offers a range of safari experiences, including game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and walking safaris.
Due to its size, Serengeti provides a wide variety of habitats, making it possible to spot different species of animals depending on the time of year and the area you're in.
Have you ever been to the Serengeti, or is it somewhere you’d like to visit?
