Serengeti National Park Verified listing

The Serengeti

One of the most famous destinations in Africa, this UNESCO world heritage park is the stage for the dramatic wildebeest migration that takes place each year and is the oldest park in Tanzania, covering a whopping 1.5 million hectares, it is home to an incredible diversity of animals. The park borders Kenya in the northwest and is connected to the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

Famous wildebeest migration, the park is home to the Big Five:

• Rhino, Lions, Leopards, Buffalo, and Elephant.

The Serengeti is home to some of the world's fiercest predators:

• Cheetah, Spotted hyena (usually in the morning), Jackal, Bat-eared-fox, and Wild dog.

The park has the highest concentration of predators in Africa. Alongside these, you'll find

• Giraffes, Mongoose, Baboons, Aardvarks, Colobus Monkeys, Monitor lizards, and giant Nile crocodiles.

The park also has the highest ostrich population in Africa, and more than 350 species of birds, also there are at least four endangered animal species;

• The Black rhino, Elephant, Wild dog, and Cheetah.

Wildebeest Migration

The annual wildebeest migration takes place from late January through to September each year. This incredible natural phenomenon sees over two million wildebeest, as well as herds of Zebra and Gazelle, migrate through the Serengeti, and cross the Grumeti and Mara river before arriving at the Maasai Mara in Kenya. It is at the Grumeti and Mara rivers that some of the most famous shots of the wildebeest migration have been taken. Here, the animals are not only faced with the possibility of being swept away by the fierce water, but from attacks under the water from crocodiles, and above on the plains as they wait to cross, Lions and Leopards.

Getting To The Serengeti

By Air

There is an airstrip located in the park itself – the Seronera Airstrip receives flights from Dar es Salaam (with flights times from 2.5-4 hours depending on the size of plane you book), Arusha, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, and Ruaha. Most planes flying to the Serengeti are small bush planes, so we recommend you keep your luggage as light and small as possible

By Road

You can drive from Arusha, which takes 8 hours but is a safari ride in itself; you will pass much wildlife and beautiful scenery, along a rather bumpy road.

Best Time To Visit The Park

The best time to see the migration is from July to October. This is the dry season, and in June and July the herds will be facing their biggest challenge: the Mara river crossing. If you are keen on seeing the predators in action, go in January or February, when there is a hiatus in the annual rains and the wildebeest calve.

The average temperature in the park during the year is 25-28 degrees Celsius.