Things to do in Serengeti National Park.
Activities in Serengeti National Park: Serengeti National Park is among the most popular safari parks in Africa and one of the pillars of the tourism sector in the north of Tanzania. The park is about 15,000 square kilometres across and spread in the plains around Seronera in the central part, to the Kenyan border near the Mara River in the north and down to the Ndabaka Gate near the shore of Lake Victoria in the west.
When tourists are seeking activities at Serengeti National Park, they are normally seeking more than a wildlife sighting. They desire to know what they can literally achieve, what the experiences actually entail on the ground, and how they can be incorporated into a real-life Tanzania safari schedule.
The Serengeti serves it in a manner that few parts of the world can, with a variety of activities that are well managed to allow the visitors to enjoy the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture without interfering with conservation.
The Central Serengeti around Seronera game drives.
The basis of any Serengeti safari is the game drives, and the Seronera Valley within the central Serengeti is where most of the game drives occur. This is the region that is served by four airstrips known as ‘Seronera Airstrip‘ that are served by daily flights between Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar, and it is the major entry point for fly-in safaris. This is due to the year-round water supply by the Seronera River, hence the constant presence of resident wildlife like lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo in this place. Tourists staying in lodges such as Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Four Seasons Serengeti or camping around the Seronera can easily get to some of the best places for seeing the wildlife in the entire park.
Game drives within this area are normally conducted at an early morning time and in the late afternoon when the animals are most active. The plains are also open, and the acacia trees are scattered, which protect the leopards and the cheetahs. It is one of the most effective locations to observe the so-called Big Five and to learn the interactions of the predator and prey, especially in the case of the first-time visitors. Guided by licensed guides trained in tracking, animal behaviour and park regulations, these drives are a great way to see them as well as get a sense of what you are viewing.
The Great Migration, the Northern Serengeti.
Following the Great Migration can be considered one of the most popular activities in Serengeti National Park. On an annual basis, more than a million wildebeest, herded with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, migrate in a circular motion between Tanzania and Kenya in pursuit of new grazing grounds. It is the northern Serengeti, especially towards Kogatende and the Mara River, between the months of July and about October, as the herds strive to cross over the river into the Maasai Mara of Kenya.
By remaining in camps in the area around Kogatende Airstrip, travellers are able to get to the Mara River fast in the mornings, which is essential in observing river crossings. These are dramatic scenes where the animals have to confront strong currents and crocodiles, but they are uncertain yet memorable. This is unlike in the central Serengeti, where the wildlife is scattered over large expanses of plains; as in this place, tracking of the migration can be done by following the herds and waiting quietly close to the riverbanks. This requires loose schedules and the presence of experienced guides who are in communication with each other to find the best action on a particular day.
Southern Serengeti and Ndutu calving season safari.
Between January and March, all the activities in the Serengeti National Park change to the southern plains, the Ndutu area and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area border. This is the time the wildebeest give birth to thousands of calves per day, which results in one of the strongest wildlife events in Africa. The plains with short grass close to Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek are good grazing grounds and offer clear visibility of the newly born animals and their predators.
The sightseeing safaris during this season are not a river crossing but, rather, a predator action. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas exploit the presence of the young, vulnerable prey. A large number of camps in the Ndutu region are seasonal and follow the herds, giving them easy access to the calving grounds. Travellers typically arrive at this area by air through Ndutu Airstrip or by road by using the route from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Hot air balloon safaris in the Serengeti plains.
One of the most unique things in Serengeti National Park is a hot air balloon safari. These are flights that are primarily based in the Seronera region and the northern region of the Serengeti, depending on the seasons. The balloon then takes off in the mornings and silently glides through the plains, rivers and woodlands, giving an entirely different view compared to a safari that uses a vehicle. When in the air, travellers can see herds of wildebeest, giraffes passing through trees and even predators coming back home after their night’s hunt.
Upon arrival, the tourists are taken on a bush breakfast grandeur in an isolated section of the park. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority and the park authorities control this activity in order to achieve safety and minimum environmental impact. Balloon safaris are more popular among the honeymooners and photographers who would wish to have a different approach to appreciating the landscape of the Serengeti.
Walking tours on the specific sections of the Serengeti.
Although most parts of Serengeti National Park are accessed via motor vehicle, walking safaris are permitted in various tamed sections, especially in the western and northern parts. Such walks are guided by armed park rangers and professional guides and are dedicated to the knowledge of tracks, plants, insects, and other small aspects of the ecosystem that people do not notice during game drives.
The Serengeti walk provides a closer relationship with nature. Visitors can trace the footsteps of giraffes or watch the birds on seasonal streams. This exercise is normally organised with lodges and camps being authorised to operate in a certain area where the safety of the visitors and the safety of the wildlife are assured.
Serengeti bird watching in the habitats.
Birdwatching is a value addition to the Serengeti National Park, though most people have neglected it because there are more than 500 species of birds recorded in the park. The diversity of the habitats, which range through the grasslands and riverine forests and kopjes, caters to ostriches, secretary birds and coloured lilac-breasted rollers and Fischer’s lovebirds.
There is some exceptional bird life in the Seronera region and along the Grumeti River in the west of the Serengeti. The marshes of the Grumeti are home to herons, storks and kingfishers, whereas the rocky kopjes are home to raptors and specialised species. Birding safaris may be done in a customised manner for advanced birders or on an easy outing as part of a normal game drive.
This involves cultural tours along the park borders.
Cultural activities are not held within the national park, although in numerous itineraries of the Serengeti, tourists will visit some of the Maasai villages around the eastern border near Loliondo or along the road between Ngorongoro and the park. Such visits provide the travellers with an understanding of the traditional pastoral life of the Maasai people, who have been coexisting with the wildlife since their inception.
These tours are normally organised by lodges or tour operators and will involve guided tours around the village, descriptions of life there, and occasionally traditional dances. These contribute a human touch to a safari in the Serengeti and assist in sustaining local communities.
Travel to and transport from Serengeti National Park.
The majority of visitors arrive at Serengeti National Park through road transport via Arusha to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Conservation Area or by using scheduled and charter flights to airstrips such as Seronera, Kogatende, Ndutu and Grumeti. Driving consumes about seven to eight hours between Arusha and road transport, though one can make scenic stops on the way.
All the activities are done in four-wheel-drive safari vehicles once they are inside the park, except the balloon flights and walking safaris. Drives are long, and it is important to decide where to stay depending on the activity you wish to do, like migration viewing in the north or calving in the south, as this way you will maximise your stay.
Conclusion
Serengeti National Park is such a complete safari destination due to the variety of activities that can be performed there. Whether it is the typical wildlife-filled game drives in the wildlife-abundant Seronera Valley or the dramatic migration patterns along the Mara River, whether it is the serene balloon trips across endless plains or the close-up walking safaris and cultural experiences, the Serengeti has something that every kind of traveller will enjoy. Its position in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania makes it easily accessible and combinable with Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire to make a rich and fulfilling experience. In the case of a dream of an African safari, visiting Serengeti National Park was not only an opportunity but also a memorable experience.
