The Serengeti National Park is Africa’s most famous tourist destination. The word Serengeti comes from the Maasai word Siringet which means “endless plains”. The whole Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and covers 14,763 square kilometers. Serengeti is among the richest grazing grounds in African bush composed of endless grassy plains. The park is well known for an incredible number of predators, over 500 species of birds, and a concentration of more than two million grazers of the great migration. Serengeti is the most outstanding wildlife reserve in the world, nowhere else to match its awesome experiences. The formation of Kopjes in the north, endless plains in the south, breathtaking sunset, and concentration of animals makes a safari in the Serengeti so remarkable.
Famous for:
- The annual wildebeest migration in Serengeti
More than two million animals migrate from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara Game Reserve every year. The annual movement of wildebeests is accompanied by other animals such as zebras (the leaders of migration), Grant gazelles, Thomson gazelles, and Impalas. The annual wildebeest migration is the greatest reason that has made Serengeti national park one of the world’s natural wonders.
The annual wildebeest migration takes place in four main areas as follows:
Serengeti South / Ndutu area (the calving season)
Duration: December to march
The early stages of Migration commence when the herds are in Calving. The calving season event takes place in Ndutu the Southern part of Serengeti in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Once the calving season is over and the calves have already fed on the nutrients of the Ndutu area, the migration to the central part of Serengeti.
Serengeti Central / Seronera Area
After the calving season, the great migration proceeds to the central part of Serengeti known as Seronera. The area is filled with enough grasses, water sources, and nutrients to feed the herds of migration. Exceptional big games are guaranteed in this area due to the high concentration of animals. The herds spend some time in this area to gain more strength before proceeding with their journey to the North via western corridors.
The Western Corridor and Grumeti
Duration: May to Mid-July
The Western Corridor follows the path of the Grumeti River. This region provides great wildlife action around May and June when the migrating herds cross the shallow water of the river Grumeti and proceed their journey to the North. The western corridor is a great area for unspoiled wildlife viewing.
Serengeti North / Mara River Crossing
Duration: July to October
The great migration of wildebeest in Serengeti’s Northern part involves the Mara River crossing. This event takes place from around August to late October (sometimes the crossing may prolong to early November). The migration will stay in Masai Mara Game reserve before coming back to South Serengeti for the Calving season in February.