The Serengeti National Park was proclaimed a national park in 1951, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is the only place in the world where you can witness millions of migrating wildebeest over the Acacia plains, and is the closest to an untouched African wilderness you will ever get.
The History of Serengeti National Park
The word Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language meaning ‘endless plain’ and consists of vast open plains dotted by kopjes. The park is so vast that you could never see it all in one trip. Each region offers different landscapes and wildlife highlights for your safari.
Wildlife Diversity of Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti supports a magnificent diversity and abundance of animals, from the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino – to giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, impala, and eland. Birders will be delighted by more than 500 species, which include kori bustard, secretary birds, Fischer’s lovebird, and so many more.
Serengeti National Park forms a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005 together with Maasai Mara National Reserve. More than 3,000 lions live in this ecosystem.
Geographical Features of Serengeti
Southern Serengeti
Short-grass plains dominate this area bordering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Lake Masek and Lake Lagaja, saline lakes, host lesser and greater flamingoes. Best to visit this area during the calving season of the migration i.e. from December to March.
Seronera Valley/Central + Eastern Serengeti
This area characterizes the typical African savannah with large umbrella thorn trees. There are plenty of resident animals here. We also find a restricted area dedicated to a cheetah conservation project.
Northern Serengeti
The Northern Serengeti offers a great game viewing year-round. However, from July to October you can witness the dramatic river crossings of the migration. A few rhinos have been reintroduced to the area, and though they are shy, you may be lucky enough to spot one.
The Great Migration
The Great Migration is the highlight of the Serengeti’s wildlife. This annual circular movement of millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle moving northwards into the neighboring Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and back into the plains of the Serengeti.
