10 Need-To-Know Things About The Serengeti In Tanzania

ByZintle Tsholoba – Discover Africa Group

Here are 10 things you may or may not have known about this iconic piece of the Africanlegacy.

The Serengeti could very well be the mecca of all national parks. With wildlife happenings whichpossess a certain fanfare that could be compared to major sporting events. It’s no wonder thatthe area is a national treasure to the Eastern African country of Tanzania and is situated on theKenyan border. It has deep significance to the heritage of the area and is famous the world overnot just for its natural wonders but for its world-class accommodation facilities and safari tours.

One of The Seven Wonders In Africa

This miraculous natural area has aptly been placed as one of the seven natural wonders ofAfrica along with The Nile River of Egypt, Sahara Desert (traverses 11 countries) and the
Okavango Delta of Botswana.

There is an entrance fee to the park

Nonresident adults (16 years and above) pay US$ 60, non-resident children inside the park(Between the age of 5-16) – US$ 20. Nonresident Students will pay – US$ 20. Children belowthe age of five get in free. This is widely believed to be one of the most affordable fees for anational park of this magnitude in East Africa.

When is the best time to visit?

There is no set time to visit the Serengeti although many might say that it might be a good ideato avoid the rainy season as the density of it can become taxing this is around April till May.Different times of year will offer different experiences so do your research beforehand on whatyou wish to experience and this will obviously coincide with how long you wish to stay inTanzania for.

Where to stay?

The Serengeti is blessed with a world of variety not just in its wildlife but also in itsaccommodation facilities. You might think that you will have to rough it but this certainly isn’t thecase as there are luxury campsites and bush lodges to suit even the most discerning traveler’stastes.Immerse yourself in the Great Migration at Olakira Migration Camp. You’ll feel the earth vibrateduring winter crossings of the brave wildebeest as they face the mighty rivers in the north, or bemoved by the mass summer calving on the south’s grassy plains.

One Of The Oldest Ecosystems On The Planet

It’s well documented that the Serengeti ecosystem is by and large one of the oldest and mostscientifically significant ecosystems on planet earth. Its weather patterns, fauna, and flora arebelieved to have changed very little for as long as a million years or more, giving the area aprehistoric presence.

Ancestral Land

Besides for it being one of the most important wildlife habitations on planet earth, the land isalso extremely significant due to it being on the ancestral land of the Maa people. The Maasai isan African tribe which still practices many of their ancient rituals and this is something that ishugely pivotal to the area.

Experience Swahili Culture

Tanzania is well known for the Swahili culture which is prevalent in the area. This means onewill get to experience this when they travel through the breathtaking Serengeti make sure youtaste some of the local Swahili cuisines and ask your lodge how this can be achieved.

Visit a Maasai Village

Another thing that can be arranged just outside of the Serengeti National Park is to visit aMaasai tribe to learn a little bit more about a way of life that could very be deemed to be fromanother era. Africa really is a time warp and The Maasai people will help you to relive the past.However, some of these tribes might require you to make a donation.

Great Serengeti Migration of Two Million Wildebeest

This has become an iconic scene in wildlife documentaries for as long as most can rememberand finally, you will get to see this amazing natural phenomenon in the flesh. Literally, 2 millionwildebeest can be witnessed running across rivers and fields as they fight for their lives from thepossibility of getting attacked by various predators including crocodiles. Other animals which areexpected to be seen in the migration include zebras, eland, and gazelle. Follow the action onHerdtracker.

No Night Drives In The Serengeti, But This Is Allowed Nearby

Night game drives are a riveting way to see animals which thrive in the evening instead of theday. Animals which may be seen around this time include civets, bush babies, and aardvarks, aswell as bigger more menacing animals on the prowl for fresh meat. Night drives are notpermitted in the Serengeti national park itself, however, many of the world-class lodges in andaround the area offer nighttime game drives on the outskirts, and the fact that the Serengetidoesn’t have any fences makes the chance of seeing great game during nighttime drives areality.

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