Serengeti National Park is situated in the northern part of Tanzania extending southern part of Kenya / that’s the Serengeti and Mara ecosystem in simiyu region . The park is among the popular and famous parks in Tanzania established in 1951 covering a total area of 14,763 km squared (5,700 square miles) stretching north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west and Known for its annual great wildebeest migration.
June – October are the best periods to be in Serengeti national park since its dry season , it offers best wildlife viewing when wild beast are moving seeking for pasture and water. The herds move north from their breeding grounds in the grassy southern plains, many cross the marshy western corridor’s crocodile-infested Grumeti River. Others veer northeast to the Lobo Hills, home to black eagles. Black rhinos inhabit the granite outcrops of the Moru kopjes .It’s annually migration of wild beasts.
How to get there; It takes approximately 6-7 hours’ drive from Arusha town to Serengeti national park and 1-2 hours to fly from Arusha Airport /Kilimanjaro international airport to the close airstrips in the park (Seronera airstrip in the central, Kogatende airstrip in the North, Lobo airstrip, kusini airstrip, Ikoma airstrip and many more depending on the location one is going to). The park has different gates but Naabi gate is the common used gate in the Eastern part of Serengeti national park. Others include; Fort ikoma gate, Klein’s gate, Ndabaka gate, Bologonja gate etc. For one to access the park promises has to have permission letter that is given at any of the gate.
Serengeti national park charges Entrance fee; that’s the money charged by (government body) TANAPA Tanzania national parks Authority in charge of Tourism from Tourists Before accessing the park promises. The entrance fee is valid for 24 hours when one is staying inside the park and when one is staying outside the park you pay per entry.
Non foreign residents are charged 83USD per person 2024 rate and children are charged 24usd per child non- foreign resident 43usd per Adult Tanzania residents and child Tanzania resident pay 12$per child. Park Entrance permits are given at All the gates
The park have many big mammals including the big five animals that includes; Buffaloes , Elephants, lions with over 3000, leopards and Rhinos) crocodiles, zebras, Impalas , Giraffes , wildebeests , spotted hyenas , antelopes , Jackson wildebeest , waterbucks , warthogs among others and over 500 species of birds like; Flamingos , ostriches , grey breasted spur fowl, Kori bustard, secretary birds etc for birding lovers some other attractions includes; Olduvai Gorge, Moru Kopjes, grumeti river, seronera river and many others
There are more different activities to do while in Serengeti national park which include;
_Game drives / Viewing both in the night and during the day in the park which enables you to spot different animals like African elephants , hyenas, the big five and many more especially during the annual wildebeest migration .
_Hot air balloon rides that gives good view of the Serengeti plains and a memorable experience. It’s perfect for game viewing. June to October is the perfect time for hot balloon safari in Serengeti. its charged 599$ per person ,
Birding /bird watching activity especially for bird lovers since the park has many species of birds include; Black headed lap wing, Black Billed Barbet, Senegal thick knee, yellow fronted tinker bird, long –toed lapwing, and long tailed nightjar among others.
Hand craft safaris especially the masaai , Camping , Flying safaris, cultural visits in the local villages that will entertain you with traditional dances.
Serengeti national park has different categories of accommodations/lodges/hotels/guesthouses that includes;
Budget lodges in Serengeti national park include; Ikoma tented camp, osinon tented camp in the central , Robin safari camp , Africa safari masaai Bomas and many more .
Mid- range lodges include; Heritage Serengeti camp, central Serengeti bush camp, mbalageti camp , Kananga tented camp , Serengeti bush camp , Serengeti pioneer camp , Serengeti acacia camp , Seronera wildlife lodge , grumeti Serengeti camp , kogatende camp , ndutu camp , mara river camp Serengeti among others.
Luxury lodges in Serengeti national park include; Serengeti sopa lodge , Serengeti serena safari lodge , Mbuzi mawe luxury tented camp , lobo wildlife lodge ,kati kati tented camp , Kubu kubu camp , Namiri plains lodge among others.
