Serengeti National
Park
The
Serengeti National park is Tanzania's oldest park, covering an area of over
14,760 sq.km and it is the second largest park after Ruaha National Park. The
park is located on the north eastern side of Tanzania and borders with Kenya's
Masai Mara National Reserve.
It is the
country's most popular and famous park and a visit to Tanzania must include a
safari to the Serengeti. "Serengeti" is a
Masai (Maasai)word meaning "endless plain",
which is very apt, as the park consists of flat, treeless plains stretching as
far as the eye can see, and it is one of the highest concentration wildlife
areas in Africa.
Virtually every game species in Africa can be found
here, including the Big5 (Elephant,
Rhino,
Lion,
leopard and
buffalo) but it is most famous for its vast
herds of
wildebeest,
zebra and antelope, as well as "the Serengeti
Lions". Also great for keen Birdwatchers with close to 500 species being
spotted in the area, including various species of kingfishers, sunbirds and
rollers, ostriches, egrets, herons, storks, ibises, spoonbills and ducks. Birds
of prey include Ruppell’s vulture and the hooded vulture, several
varieties of kestrels, eagles, goshawks and harriers.
The most
spectacular and unique events of the year is the
Serengeti Annual Migration, which takes place
heading north to south in October and November and back south to north between
the months of April and June. This has been described by many as one of the
greatest wonders of the world. The migrating herds of
Wildebeest together with
Zebra and Thompson's Gazelle are closely
followed the predators;
lion,
cheetah,
leopard and hunting dogs with vultures
circling overhead. There is no fixed migration timetable as the animals migrate
according to rainfall patterns.
Whilst wildlife viewing is good all
year round, the best time to go on
safari is from December to March, when many
animals are concentrated in the park's southern regions.
A very popular
activity in the Serengeti is a Balloon Safari and, although fairly pricey, it
is a well worth once-in-a-lifetime experience. The open savannah plains give a
great opportunity to see so many of the animals from the air in peace and
serenty, as well as taking in the panoramic scenery which is absolutely
breathtaking
Getting there:-
Air: There are several airstrips
inside the park with scheduled and charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara
and Mwanza.
Road: Most people travel to the Serengeti from Arusha, the
road for most the part is sealed and in good condition. From Arusha, you will
pass the entrance to
Lake Manyara National Park and travel through
Ngorongoro Conservation
Area. For Ngorongoro to Serengeti the road deteriorates and is sometimes in
poor condition, especially during and just after the raining season.
Approaching fromm Mwanza or Musoma on the lake shore, take the road east
and you will enter the Serengeti through the Ndaraka Gate in the West.
| TRAVEL ARTICLE: |
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Out
of Africa (And Back Again and Again…)
There is this thing
called mal d'Afrique, an indefinable feeling of loss that compels visitors to
return to Africa time and again. A state of mind actually, it is nevertheless
real and infectious. A first time visit to the Serengeti ...click to read more
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