Bobby Camping Safaris Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of the most iconic wildlife reserves in the world, located in northern Tanzania, East Africa. It covers approximately 14,763 square kilometers (5,700 square miles) of vast savannas, grasslands, riverine forests, and woodlands. The name "Serengeti" comes from the Maasai word "Siringet," meaning "endless plains," which perfectly describes its expansive, open landscapes stretching to the horizon.

Established as a national park in 1951 (with roots as a game reserve dating back to 1930), it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for its outstanding biodiversity and the spectacular annual wildlife migration. It forms part of the larger Serengeti ecosystem, which extends into Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The Great Migration

The Serengeti is world-famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, often called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by 250,000 zebras and hundreds of thousands of gazelles and other ungulates, undertake a circular journey of about 800-1,000 km in search of fresh grass and water.

  • Calving season: January-March in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu area), where ~500,000 calves are born.
  • May-July: Herds move west and north, crossing rivers like the Grumeti.
  • July-October: Dramatic crossings of the Mara River in the northern Serengeti (often into Kenya’s Maasai Mara).
  • November-December: Return south as rains begin.

This migration supports intense predator-prey dynamics, with crocodiles, lions, and hyenas taking advantage.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

The park boasts an extraordinary concentration of animals:

  • Home to the Big Five: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros (black rhinos are rare and protected).
  • Largest lion population in Africa (~3,000-4,000).
  • Abundant cheetahs (~550), leopards (~1,000), and spotted hyenas.
  • Over 500 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
  • Millions of ungulates year-round, plus giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and more.

The diverse habitats—from open plains to kopjes (rocky outcrops) and rivers—support this rich ecosystem.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies

Geography and Map

The park is divided into regions: southern plains, central Seronera (river valley, good year-round viewing), western corridor (river crossings), and northern areas (Mara River).

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies

Visiting the Serengeti

The best time depends on what you want to see—year-round wildlife viewing is excellent, but plan around the migration for specific events. Safaris (game drives, hot-air balloons) are popular, with lodges and camps available. It’s managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), emphasizing conservation amid challenges like poaching.

The Serengeti represents untouched African wilderness at its finest, offering unforgettable experiences of nature’s raw power and beauty.