6 MUST-SEE DESTINATIONS
The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest national park and the most famous safari destination.Located in northern Tanzania, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rightly considered a place of “outstanding value to humanity”.Visiting the Serengeti is historically significant and endowed with varied terrain and abundant wildlife. It’s like participating in your own wildlife documentary, only more vivid, haunting, and impressive than anything you’ve seen in the movie.
And one of the Serengeti’s celebrities, the Great Wildebeest Migration , is a spectacular drama on a grand scale. Over two million animals roam the park clockwise every year, following the rain in search of fresh water and grass. Every day is a struggle for survival for the wildlife of the Serengeti, as predators and prey alike embark on a constant quest for food.
WHEN TO VISIT CERTAIN REGIONS IN THE SERENGETI?
The land area of the Serengeti is vast, encompassing nearly 9200 square miles of a thriving ecosystem. The country is subject to dramatic seasonal changes that make it virtually impossible to enjoy the full Serengeti experience in a single visit. Given the capricious
weather, it’s good to know when you’re in the right place at the right time.
CENTRAL SERENGETI – ALL YEAR ROUND
For those who can’t plan for a specific time of year, it’s good to plan a visit to the Seronera River Valley in the central region of the Serengeti. The Seronera River keeps the valley full of vegetation and wildlife all year round. And in the off-season, in November and December, you’ll see the wildebeest herds migrating south for calving season.
GRUMETI AND THE WESTERN CORRIDOR – MAY TO JULY
Would you like to see thousands of wildebeest and zebras hastily crossing crocodile-infested waters in a panicked rush? Yes? Then, from the end of May to the beginning of July, you should definitely visit the Grumeti River in the western corridor of the national park. The
wildebeest herds migrate north and have to cross these unfriendly waters to reach fresh grasslands and water on the other side.
THE NORTHERN PLAINS – JULY TO OCTOBER
Many visitors are drawn to the wildebeest river crossings, but the crowds during the high season can hold them back. But if you are determined to witness such a spectacle, don’t worry. You can plan your visit so that you can experience the drama of crossing the Mara River without the hustle and bustle of high season. This event in the northern Serengeti is at its peak from late August to September, when the wildebeest cross the predator-infested waters of the Mara into the fertile grasslands just beyond to feed in relative tranquility until their return journey south. October usually sees slightly fewer visitors, so it’s a good time to witness the migration without the crowds.
SOUTHERN SERENGETI – LATE DECEMBER TO EARLY MARCH
The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu Plains during the calving season from late December to early March are absolutely spectacular. With nearly two million wildebeest congregating across the region, the non-calving wildebeest circle the pregnant cows and fight to protect
them and the 8000 calves born daily. They have a lot to do, as equally desperate predators look for every opportunity to prey on the wildebeest cubs to feed their own young. Visit the southern plains (Ndutu and Ngorongoro to the east) from late December to early March to see views teeming with wildlife as far as the eye can see.
TOP DESTINATIONS IN THE SERENGETI
In addition to the popular destinations along the wildebeest migration route mentioned above, we list a few more favorites below:
VALLEY OF THE SERONERA RIVER
This vast valley and its abundant wildlife are worth another mention. At any time of the day, you can see elephants, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and giraffes, to name a few. But most importantly, the Seronera River Valley is one of the best places to visit if you want the chance to see the elusive leopard.
NAABI HILL
Located on the border between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park, Naabi Hill forms the main entrance to the Serengeti. The hiking trails here offer some of the most stunning scenery in the Serengeti, making it a great place to stretch your legs after along drive.
BOLOGONJA SPRINGS
Bologonja Springs, near the border with Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park, is another major attraction in the northeastern part of the Serengeti. The natural freshwater springs, lush green vegetation and tall, dense treetops attract hundreds of different animals. Get up close and personal with many larger mammals such as giraffes and elephants, and discover rare antelope species such as mountain reedbucks, ibexes and many exotic birds from a little further out.
