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Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park (2°19′58″S 34°34′00″E) is a large national park in Serengeti area, Tanzania. It is most famous for its annual migration of over one million white bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 200,000 zebra.

History

The Maasai people had been grazing their livestock in the open plains which they knew as “endless plain” for over 200 years when the first European explorers visited the area. The name Serengeti is an approximation of the word used by the Maasai to describe the area. German geographer and explorer Dr. Oscar Baumann entered the area in 1892. Baumann killed three rhinos during a stay in the Ngorongoro crater.

The first Briton to enter the Serengeti, Stewart Edward White, recorded his explorations in the northern Serengeti in 1913. Stewart returned to the Serengeti in the 1920s, and camped in the area around Seronera for three months. During this time he and his companions shot 50 lions.

Because the hunting of lions made them so scarce, the British decided to make a partial Game Reserve of 800 acres (3.2 km2) in the area in 1921 and a full one in 1929. These actions became the basis for Serengeti National Park, which was established in 1951. The Serengeti gained more fame after the initial work of Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael in the 1950s. Together they produced the book and film Serengeti Shall Not Die, widely recognized as one of the most important early pieces of nature conservation documentary.

As part of the creation of the park, and in order to preserve wildlife, the resident Maasai were moved to the Ngorongoro highlands. There is still considerable controversy surrounding this move, with claims made of coercion and deceit on the part of the colonial authorities.

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest national park and remains the flagship of the country’s tourism industry, providing a major draw to the “Northern Safari Circuit”, encompassing Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha national parks, as well as Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Geography and Wildlife

The park covers 14,763 km² (5,700 square miles) of grassland plains and savanna as well as riverine forest and woodlands. The park lies in the north of the country, bordered to the north by the national Tanzania and Kenyan border, where it is continuous with the Masai Mara National Reserve. To the south-east of the park is Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the south-west lies Maswa Game Reserve, and to the western borders are Ikorongo and Grumeti Game Reserves, finally to the north-east lies Loliondo Game Control Area.

Human habitation is forbidden in the National Park with the exception of staff for TANAPA, researchers and staff of Frankfurt Zoological Society, and staff of the various lodges and hotels. The main settlement is Seronera which houses the majority of research staff and the park’s main headquarters, including its primary airstrip.

As well as the migration of ungulates, the park is well known for its healthy stock of other resident wildlife, particularly the “Big Five”, named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters: the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo. These species remain the key attractions to tourists, but the park also supports many further species, including the cheetah, gazelle and giraffe, as well as a large and varied bird population..

Sample Itineraries

Day 01: Arusha/Serengeti National Park 

Pick up from Arusha and drive to Serengeti, arrive at Serengeti meet the driver, and depart to the lodge game drive on the way, it is also renowned for its large lion population and is one of the best places to view pride in its natural environment. About 70 large mammals and 500 bird species are found in the park, which boasts diverse habitats, including riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands. Lunch at the lodge, option for afternoon game drive

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel / Camp / Lodge

Day 02: Serengeti National Park Full day

Serengeti is a very large national park, and as wildlife drives depend on the movement of migrants, the tour guide knows very well how to find herds. The Serengeti National Park is famous for its “great migration” as more than one million wildebeest and two hundred thousand extra zebras follow the rains each year, so after early breakfast, we head for an early game drive and then have lunch and continue for the evening before returning to your accommodation. The Serengeti is an exciting and spectacular place that will not fail to impress. 

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel/Camp/Lodge  

Day 03: Serengeti National Park Full day

After breakfast, drive back to Arusha via Ngorongoro Highlands  

Fly to Arusha meet our driver and drop off you at your Hotel in Arusha

End of Program

Price includes

  • Park Entry Fees,
  • Return Flight to Serengeti (Subject to Availability)
  • Game drives by 4WD safari vehicle.
  • English-speaking driver-guide.
  • Meals and Accommodation
  • Bottles of mineral drinking water.
  • All Government Taxes
  • Medical Evacuation

Not included in the price:

  • International Flight
  • Alcoholic drinks and beverages.
  • Tip for the driver.
  • Items of a personal nature.

Day 01: Arusha/Serengeti National Park 

After breakfast, Transfer to Arusha Airport for a flight to Serengeti National Park 

Arrive at Serengeti meet the driver and depart to the lodge game drive on the way

It is also renowned for its large lion population and is one of the best places to view pride in its natural environment. About 70 large mammals and 500 bird species are found in the park, which boasts diverse habitats, including riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands.

Lunch at the lodge, option for afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel/Camp/Lodge

Day 02 & 3: Serengeti National Park Full day

Serengeti is a very large national park, and as wildlife drives depend on the movement of migrants, the tour guide knows how to find herds very well. The Serengeti National Park is famous for its “great migration” as more than one million wildebeest and two hundred thousand extra zebras follow the rains each year, so after early breakfast, we head for an early game drive and then have lunch and continue for the evening before returning to your accommodation. The Serengeti is an exciting and spectacular place that will not fail to impress. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel/Camp/Lodge  

Day 04: Serengeti National Park Full day

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Airstrip for the flight back to Arusha

Fly to Arusha meet our driver and drop off you at your Hotel in Arusha

Price includes

  • Park Entry Fees,
  • Return Flight to Serengeti (Subject to Availability)
  • Game drives by 4WD safari vehicle.
  • English-speaking driver-guide.
  • Meals and Accommodation
  • Bottles of mineral drinking water.
  • All Government Taxes
  • Medical Evacuation

Not included in the price:

  • International Flight
  • Alcoholic drinks and beverages.
  • Tip for the driver.
  • Items of a personal nature.

Day 01: Arusha/Serengeti National Park 

After breakfast, Transfer to Arusha Airport for a flight to Serengeti National Park 

Arrive at Serengeti meet the driver and depart to the lodge game drive on the way

It is also renowned for its large lion population and is one of the best places to view pride in its natural environment. About 70 large mammals and 500 bird species are found in the park, which boasts diverse habitats, including riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands.

Lunch at the lodge, option for afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel/Camp/Lodge

Day 02 & 5: Serengeti National Park Full day

Serengeti is a very large national park, and as wildlife drives depend on the movement of migrants, the tour guide knows how to find herds very well. The Serengeti National Park is famous for its “great migration” as more than one million wildebeest and two hundred thousand extra zebras follow the rains each year, so after early breakfast, we head for an early game drive and then have lunch and continue for the evening before returning to your accommodation. The Serengeti is an exciting and spectacular place that will not fail to impress. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel/Camp/Lodge  

Day 06: Serengeti National Park Full day

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Airstrip for the flight back to Arusha

Fly to Arusha meet our driver and drop off you at your Hotel in Arusha

Price includes

  • Park Entry Fees,
  • Return Flight to Serengeti (Subject to Availability)
  • Game drives by 4WD safari vehicle.
  • English-speaking driver-guide.
  • Meals and Accommodation
  • Bottles of mineral drinking water.
  • All Government Taxes
  • Medical Evacuation

Not included in the price:

  • International Flight
  • Alcoholic drinks and beverages.
  • Tip for the driver.
  • Items of a personal nature.

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