Why a Serengeti Safari Should Be on Everyone’s Bucket List
Located in northern Tanzania on the border with Kenya, the Serengeti is the country’s most visited National Park. But why do over 472,000 international and domestic tourists choose this National Park as their African safari destination each year?
From its picture-perfect plains to its diverse array of wildlife. The Serengeti National Park has a lot to offer its guests. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that a Serengeti safari should be on everyone’s bucket list. You may be considering an African safari and you’re not sure which one to choose. Read on for 8 reasons why a Serengeti safari should be top of your list.
8 Reasons to visit Serengeti National Park on safari
1. The Great Migration
Deemed one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Great Migration is the Serengeti’s star attraction. Every year, around 1.5 million wildebeest, half a million gazelle and a further 250,000 zebras begin their annual migration. This begging’s in the southern Serengeti plains to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. These colossal herds cover around 620 miles (1000km) during their trip, following the seasonal rainfall in search of fresh water and lush grasslands.
The event starts off in the Ngorongoro and Ndutu regions in the south. Here, huge herds of herbivores graze on the wide open plains throughout the rainy season between December and March. Around February time, the wildebeest calving season begins and over 8000 babies are born every day. This provides a great opportunity to see new-born wildebeest taking their first clumsy steps during your Serengeti safari. It’s also a prime time to witness ferocious attacks by lions, cheetahs and other big cats on the hunt.
From April, the Great Migration begins. Millions of plains mammals head west in a clockwise direction through central Serengeti and the Masawa Game Reserve to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti to find food. However, before they reach the northern grazing lands, they must first cross the Grumeti and Mara Rivers.
These two river crossings are notoriously perilous, giving way to a bittersweet spectacle of nature. While many animals manage to cross unscathed, thousands die while attempting to navigate the crocodile-infested waters from May – August. There are also plenty of tense near-misses to keep you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy as you watch from the side-lines in the safety and comfort of your tour vehicle.
Those who cross successfully will cross the northern border to spend the remainder of the dry season in Masai Mara. In October, the herds begin their return journey, this time passing through the Lobo region in east Serengeti. By December, they will reach southern Serengeti, where they’ll stay until the following April.
So, whether you’d like to see babies being born in February or the dramatic river crossings throughout May – August, the Great Migration provides spectacular sights all year round
2. An abundance of wildlife
With over 430 species roaming its plains, the Serengeti’s impressive variety of wildlife is one of the top reasons people book safaris here. In fact, Serengeti National Park has the largest predator population in the world. Also it is the only park in Tanzania where you have a high chance of seeing all of the Big 5 in one place. That includes lions, elephants, leopards, cape buffalo and the elusive black rhino, seen most often in the north or in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Other animals you’re likely to spot during a Serengeti safari tour include cheetahs, giraffes, gazelle, zebras, impalas, elands, topi, jackals, spotted hyenas, wildebeest, baboons, serval cats, hippos, warthogs, crocodiles, baboons and more.
The Serengeti also boasts around 500 different species of bird, making it a huge draw for avid bird-watchers. Here you can witness (and hear) everything from black eagles, raptors and vultures to secretary birds, crowned cranes, yellow-throated sandgrouse and huge ostriches too.
And the best part is that you can visit any time of year. The resident animal populations that don’t migrate ensure there’s always something to see!
3. Beautiful and varied scenery
While the Serengeti is best known for the endless plains that gave it its name. In reality, the park has a very varied landscape. As you may already know, the Serengeti plains are largely treeless. The exception to this are the few umbrella trees dotted along the plains that create the iconic silhouettes backed by vivid orange sunsets that we instantly associate with Africa. Here, you can see for miles in every direction. This gives you the best chance of spotting grazing mammals like wildebeest, zebra and eland. Plus the big cats that stalk them too.
To the west, however, you’ll find swampy marshland and dense forests featuring the same black clay soil that forms the banks of the Grumeti river. Further north, luscious woodlands, rolling hills and large granite outcrops known as kopjes. These are just like the one that inspired Pride Rock in the Lion King and are the most dominant features. As well as providing stunning scenic views, northern Serengeti National Park is also the best area to spot elephants and giraffes.
4. The size and scale of the park
Whether you’re planning your very first Serengeti safari or your fifth, the sheer size of the park will guarantee that you never see the same thing twice. At almost 12,000 square miles (30,000 square km), the Serengeti is ten times the size of neighboring Masai Mara. This alone makes the park stand out from others in the region. And, although there’s a lot of ground to cover, the majority of the northern circuit is accessible by road.
In total, around 4 million animals call Serengeti National Park home. This gives you the chance to view one of the largest collection of natural habitats on the planet. Plus, given its vast expanse, there are fewer tourists packed into a single area like you may find with smaller game reserves. So, even during the busy peak season, the Serengeti doesn’t feel cramped.
5. The vibrant culture
While you may have already been aware of the Serengeti’s wildlife and scenery, did you know that over 120 ethnic groups can be found in the region? Alongside the many Christian and Muslim people living in the area, a number of indigenous Maasai tribes still exist to this day. And some are even happy to showcase their traditional way of life to curious tourists…
So, if your Serengeti safari tour offers you the chance to visit a local Maasai village, we’d highly recommend it! Step back in time as you learn about the Maasai people’s distinctive culture. This includes how they build their homes to their ancient rituals, marriage customs, music, food and language. You may even get the opportunity to watch or take part in a traditional Maasai jumping dance – a fascinating experience that you’ll never forget!
Tanzania is also known for its Swahili culture, so be sure to try the local cuisine if you can!
6. The pleasant climate
Contrary to popular belief, not all of Africa is unbearably hot at all times! In fact, due to its higher altitude, Serengeti National Park has a reasonably moderate climate.
While temperatures vary by region, during the dry season, the Serengeti averages mid-high 20s through the daytime, with very little rainfall. Mornings and evenings are cooler too, so you won’t have to worry about an uncomfortable sleep!
As a result, this is when most people choose to visit the park. The weather is good, the sun is shining and the bush thins out, making wildlife is easier to spot. During this time, animals also gather around watering holes and rivers, so you can find several species in one place.
However, even during the warmer rainy season, temperatures rarely reach more than 35°c and the short sharp showers help to cool the air too. This makes a Serengeti safari more suitable for those who don’t like too much heat, than safaris located further south. For example, The Etosha National Park in Namibia, which has a hot, savanna desert climate.
7. The numerous attractions nearby
As well as the many things to see and do inside Serengeti National Park, there’s also a myriad of attractions to visit close by. Perhaps the most impressive is Ngorongoro Crater. Nestled on the south eastern edge of the park, this volcano caldera measuring 20km wide,
hosts the Big 5, plus wildebeests, reedbucks and more within its naturally eroded walls. For this reason, a Ngorongoro Crater safari is a great option for shorter trips, as it gives you the opportunity to view some of Africa’s most popular species in one relatively small location.
Another popular excursion around the borders of the Serengeti is a night-time game drive. Night drives aren’t currently permitted inside the National Park itself. However, as the park is unfenced, you can still spot wildlife from the edge! This gives you the chance to see animals that venture out under the cover of darkness, such as leopards, aardvarks and bush babies.
Other sites of interest nearby include the historic Olduvai Gorge, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and the musical Singing Stones. Additionally, Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks both border the Serengeti, alongside the world-renowned Masai Mara Reserve to the north.
So, whatever you’re interested in, you certainly won’t get bored on a Serengeti safari tour!
8. Great quality accommodation
Given the size of Serengeti National Park and the thousands of tourists that visit it each year, the plethora of accommodation on offer is really no surprise. If you’re on a budget or you want to experience the wilderness up close, you could stay at one of the many public campsites. However, if ‘roughing it’ isn’t really your thing, don’t worry. There’s a host of comfortable lodges to choose from, particularly in the central Seronera area of the Serengeti.
Two that are definitely worth mentioning, are Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge and Meliá Serengeti Lodge. The first is located north west of Seronera in a quiet part of the park. Here you’ll stay in an award-winning African-style lodge with a classic thatched roof and a luxury infinity pool. Choose a room or a suite, and enjoy panoramic views of the Serengeti plains.
Similarly, Meliá Serengeti Lodge is situated to the west of Seronera, only a short drive from the heart of the action. This elegant 5* lodge overlooks the beautiful Mbalageti River Valley and its abundant wildlife. Again, there is a choice of rooms or suites, and each Maasai-inspired room has its own terrace so you can sit out and enjoy the view on an evening. There’s also a pool, gym and spa to enjoy, and numerous dining options to suit all tastes.
Alternatively, if you decide to stay near Ngorongoro Crater, the lovely Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge sits above the rim and offers spacious rooms with views right down to the crater floor. Just be aware that many of the Serengeti’s luxury lodges get booked up very quickly during the peak, dry season, so you may need to book your stay up to a year in advance!
Book an unforgettable Serengeti safari with Brady’s Wildlife Adventures
Ready to experience your very own Serengeti safari tour in style? Then you’ve come to the right place. At Brady’s Wildlife Adventures, we offer a variety of Serengeti safaris throughout both the dry and rainy season to suit your preference.
Our bestselling 8 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari includes luxury accommodation, park entry fees, daily meals and transport throughout the park. During your trip, you’ll be guided by an expert, English-speaking driver in a comfortably air-conditioned 4×4 safari land cruiser. While meeting all the necessary safety requirements as outlined by Serengeti National Park, this vehicle also features a pop-up roof for enhanced viewing and photo opportunities.
Alternatively, we also host longer 12 day Tanzania safaris, which cover Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, as well as highlights of Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks.
Not sure which one you’d prefer? Why not take a look at some of our customer reviews to help you decide? Or, if you’d like some advice from our experts, feel free to send your questions to info@bradyswildlifeadventures.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our Serengeti safaris very soon!
