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About Serengeti National Park

Let the great migration in this dynamic ecosystem move you.

It’s the only place where you can witness millions of migrating wildebeest over the Acacia plains, it’s the cradle of human life, and probably the closest to an untouched African wilderness you will ever get: welcome to Serengeti National Park. Where time seems to stand still, despite the thousands of animals constantly on the move.

• why visit?
 
• great migration & beyond
 
• history
 
• enquiry

About Serengeti National Park

Let the great migration in this dynamic ecosystem move you.

It’s the only place where you can witness millions of migrating wildebeest over the Acacia plains, it’s the cradle of human life, and probably the closest to an untouched African wilderness you will ever get: welcome to Serengeti National Park. Where time seems to stand still, despite the thousands of animals constantly on the move.

why visit? great migration & beyond history enquir

The greatest wildlife destination on earth

The magic of Serengeti National Park is not easy to describe in words. Not only seeing, but also hearing the buzz of millions of wildebeest so thick in the air that it vibrates through your entire body is something you will try to describe to friends and family, before realising it’s impossible. Vistas of honey-lit plains at sunset so beautiful, it’s worth the trip just to witness this. The genuine smiles of the Maasai people, giving you an immediate warming glow inside. Or just the feeling of constantly being amongst thousands of animals – it doesn’t matter what season of the migration you visit the Serengeti National Park, it’s magical all year round.

The never-ending circle of the Great Migration

Serengeti National Park was one of the first sites listed as a World Heritage Site when United Nations delegates met in Stockholm in 1981. Already by the late 1950s, this area had been recognised as a unique ecosystem, providing us with many insights into how the natural world functions and showing us how dynamic ecosystems really are.

Today, most visitors come here with one aim alone: to witness millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and elands on a mass trek to quench their thirst for water and eat fresh grass. During this great cyclical movement, these ungulates move around the ecosystem in a seasonal pattern, defined by rainfall and grass nutrients. These large herds of animals on the move can’t be witnessed anywhere else. Whereas other famous wildlife parks are fenced, the Serengeti is protected, but unfenced. Giving animals enough space to make their return journey, one that they’ve been doing for millions of years. Read more about the Great Migration.

Beyond the Great Migration

Even though, for many travellers, the migration is one of the main reasons to visit Serengeti National Park, it’s worth looking beyond this immense spectacle. First of all, nature can’t be directed. Having realistic expectations of your chances to witness a river crossing, or a large herd on the move, is crucial. A river crossing for example often only lasts thirty minutes, so can be missed in the blink of an eye. But don’t let this discourage you: there are plenty of other reasons to visit the Serengeti. If it’s not for this vast stretch of land where you can drive forever and never get enough, it might be for the incredible skies of dazzling colours, or the primal feeling of excitement when a deep dark-grey thunderstorm appears on the broad horizon. Or you might answer the lion’s call, and come to the Serengeti for one of the largest concentrations of predators in the world: the herds support about 7,500 hyenas, 3,000 lions and 250 cheetahs. And how about the silent grey giants? Elephants in the Serengeti amble over the plains into the woodlands, feasting on leaves and tree branches. Read more about wildlife in Serengeti wildlife.

Tribes in the cradle of human life

Even though animals still rule the plains of the Serengeti, this area has an incredibly long history of human occupation. Not only humans, but also human ancestors (Australopithecus afarensi) lived in this area for almost 4 million years. Today, Serengeti National Park is still home to several indigenous tribes. One of the most famous tribes is the Maasai: this tribe is unique and popular due to their long-preserved culture. Despite education, civilization and western cultural influences, the Maasai people have clung to their traditional way of life, making them a symbol of Tanzanian and Kenyan culture. Read more about the Maasai people.

Vibrancy, variety and vastness

You will soon realise that amazement doesn’t have boundaries in this world-renowned National Park of Tanzania. Serengeti is a transition area, with distinct changeovers going from rich flat soils, to poor hilly soils in the north, attracting a wide variety of vegetation and animals. Whether you are looking for big cats, birds or even smaller creatures: Serengeti National Park delivers. Even to understand and experience just a small part of this ecosystem, will change your vision on our world and the environment.

After being overwhelmed by the vibrancy, variety and vastness of this land, this place of transition will leave you changed forever.

History of Serengeti National Park

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, explorers and missionaries described the Serengeti plains and the massive numbers of animals found there. Only minor details are all that were reported before explorations in the late 1920s and early 1930s supply the first references to the great wildebeest migrations, and the first photographs of the region.

An area of 2,286 square kilometers was established in 1930 as a game reserve in what is now southern and eastern Serengeti. They allowed sport hunting activities until 1937, after which it stopped all hunting activities. In 1940 Protected Area Status was conferred to the area and the National Park itself was established in 1951, then covering southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro highlands. They based the park headquarters on the rim of Ngorongoro crater.

So, the original Serengeti National Park, as it was gazetted in 1951, also included what now is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). In 1959, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was split off from the Serengeti National Park and they extended the boundaries of the park to the Kenya border. The key reason for splitting off the Ngorongoro area was that local Maasai residents realized that they were threatened with eviction and consequently not allow to graze their cattle within the national park boundaries. To counter this from happening, protests were staged. A compromise was reached wherein the Ngorongoro Crater Area was split off from the national park: the Maasai may live and graze their cattle in the Ngorongoro Crater area but not within Serengeti National Park boundaries.

In 1961 the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya was established and in 1965 the Lamai Wedge between the Mara River and Kenya border was added to Serengeti National Park, thus creating a permanent corridor allowing the wildebeests to migrate from the Serengeti plains in the south to the Loita Plains in the north. The Maswa Game Reserve was established in 1962 and a small area north of The Grumeti River in the western corridor was added in 1967.

The Serengeti National Park was among the first places to be proposed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO at 1972 Stockholm conference. It was formally established in 1981

KNOW BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA

PLANNING GUIDES

The best time to visit Tanzania

See some of the lesser-known regions of this incredible country.

  

When is the best time to visit Tanzania? It’s a good question – and like most good questions a tricky one to answer, mainly because different areas in Tanzania have different attractions at different times of the year. There really is no right or wrong time to visit this well-loved country but as a rule of thumb, the dry season (from late June to October) is the most popular time for a Tanzania safari with all the trimmings.

During this dry season, animals congregate near water sources putting predators and prey in close proximity and making for some exciting game viewing. As a by-product of the water shortages the vegetation thins, thus improving visibility of animals. One important thing to bear in mind, however, is the crowding that can occur in certain reserves during these favourable periods. Should you wish to avoid other tourists, consider visiting Tanzania during the green season, usually from March to May, or even the short dry season from the end of December to February.

Below is a brief summary of some of our favourite Tanzanian parks and their seasonal perks. Hopefully this will simplify your planning process, whilst illuminating a few of the lesser-known regions…

Experience the famous Great Migration in the Serengeti

Serengeti National Park

This national park needs no introduction. The Serengeti National Park contains exceptional game in high densities year-round, although peak time is during the dry season from June to September. If you’re visiting during this time and searching for the wildebeest of the Great Migration, your best chances of seeing them are in the western regions of the park in May and June at a camp like Singita Faru Faru Lodge or Ubuntu Migraton Camp, or in the northern section of the park for the famous river crossings. Camps like Lamai Serengeti, Olakira Migration Camp or Serian’s Serengeti North will fit the bill perfectly here. The Great Migration is always high on any safari enthusiast’s bucket list and planning a visit to coincide with the spectacle is popular so do book in advance!

Late January and into February and March is the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti, which provides high excitement as lion and cheetah descend on the fragile and naive newborns. Although action-packed, these scenes are not for the faint of heart. Try staying at either Kimondo Migration Camp or Lake Masek Tented Camp for the best views.

The height of the wet season is March and April and causes the usually crowded Serengeti to empty, offering an intimate experience with the wildlife. You can expect rain showers, but they are usually short and sharp and certainly don’t last for hours. Another plus at this time of year is the return of migratory bird species, a big drawcard for all the twitchers out there.

Tempted by a visit to the Serengeti? Explore some of our top trips right here.

SERENGETI

Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s Garden of Eden

Ngorongoro National Park

Ngorongoro’s dry season (June to October) is usually considered the best time to visit as temperatures are cooler and there is little chance of rain. The lack of rain means that the vegetation is thinner and animals, such as the shy black rhino, are easier to spot. The flip side of unbelievable game viewing in “Africa’s Eden”? Expect more than a few vehicles in the main sections of the crater…

The green season (November to May), which is considerably less crowded, is still a great time to view animals. For the most part, the wet season is simply an afternoon shower with slightly heavier rain in March, April and May – just make sure to choose a lodge like The Highlands or the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge that is fully enclosed! During this season, migratory bird species return creating a kaleidoscope of colour. Generally, game is more spread out because of the abundance of water and vegetation making it a little more difficult to find them, however this should not be a deterrent. Even during the wet season, there are few places on earth that can compete with Ngorongoro’s game viewing.

You can find some of our favourite Ngorongoro trips here and if you’re interested in some of the lodges, check them out here.

NGORONGORO CRATER 

Enjoy a sunset boat safari in the Selous

Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve’s dry, cooler months (June to November) make for excellent big cat and wild dog sightings. There is less water in the waterholes at this time of year and animals congregate around any remaining sources, making for incredible sightings. In fact, lion sightings are almost guaranteed! The wild dogs usually den from June to August making these the best months to spot the rare and highly endangered species.

The seasonality regarding game viewing in this area is quite clear, with animals spreading out during the wet season (March to May) and the heaviest rains falling in the months of March and April. Although you may be slightly more restricted in activities (and choice of camps – many close during these months), all is not lost as this is the birthing season and the time for migratory bird species to return.

Visiting the Selous combines well with Ruaha, also in the south of Tanzania, or even Katavi in the west, and some time at the coast. View our most popular trips here.

SELOUS

Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Zanzibar

Zanzibar island

A Zanzibar (or Mafia or Pemba!) Island adventure is best experienced from June to October, when the climate is cool and dry. Within this period, August and September have the best water clarity of 25 or more meters, offering incredible snorkelling conditions and whale viewing potential. It is important to bear in mind that some of the island restaurants will be closed during the Muslim festival of Ramadan, which occurs during the months of June and July, so check before booking if this is of concern.

December to February is also a lovely time to visit Zanzibar and her neighbouring islands, and it’s hot and dry with temperatures reaching into the 40 degrees celsius range. The wet season arrives in March and lasts until May. Water clarity is not as productive during this period and humidity can be a factor of concern when you are not in the water.

It’s possible to add a stop at the Tanzanian Coast to almost any trip in the country – have a peek at some of the top options including Zanzibar, or head slightly more off the beaten track to Mafia Island.

ZANZIBAR ISLAND 

Design your own trip

Choose a destination, pick your lodges and we’ll do the rest

Design a trip

Come face to face with gentle giants in Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro conditions can be quite variable throughout the year, but the best weather for climbing probably occurs from July to October when the skies are warm and clear. This is in stark contrast to other times of year, specifically April to May and November to mid-December, when rain, mud, ice and fog can detract from the overall experience, and in extreme cases can increase the risks for climbers. Remember, however, that weather conditions on the mountain vary dramatically from year to year and we will always take advice from our operators on the ground.

Fancy a challenge and scaling Africa’s highest mountain? Here’s how to do it.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO 

Go on a walking safari in Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park’s game viewing is at its best during the dry season (June to November). The scarcity of water draws in species from far and wide to seek solace along the Tarangire River. This popular season is, of course, a crowd pleaser but a good way to escape the crowds is to stay in the southern parts of the reserve, which offers a more intimate experience. Oliver’s Camp and Sanctuary Swala are two good options here.

The wet season does not produce the same level of animal interactions and the rains replenish the water sources, thickening the vegetation and causing the different species to disperse. For some there is also the issue of getting wet during the months of March and April. There are, however, also positives for this time of year – the crowds are gone, the general game viewing is still good and migratory bird species have moved back into the area.

Tarangire combines well with other parks and reserves in northern Tanzania – have a look at these trips as a starting point and feel free to add any other destination you fancy.

TARANGIRE 

Watch wild dogs play in Ruaha

Ruaha National Park

The best time to visit Ruaha National Park is, like most of the parks and reserves in Tanzania, in the dry months of June to October when the vegetation is thinner and the weather is a tad cooler. Like the Selous, the wild dogs of the area den from June to August, presenting greater opportunity to view these charismatic animals, and the lion and big cat sightings at this time of year are phenomenal. This is also a good time of year to try a walking safari as the grass is shorter – and the temperatures cooler. For the best walking safaris, we highly recommend staying at either Kwihala Camp or Kichaka Frontier Camp.

The wet season arrives in November, signalling the return of migratory bird species, and continues until March. Humidity levels can be high and temperatures can also climb during this time. Many camps close in Ruaha during the green season months, but others stay open. Speak to us for details if you fancy trying it out!

Our favourite trips to Ruaha can be found here– and don’t forget, adding on some time at either Zanzibar or one of the neighbouring islands is easy!

INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

OVERVIEW

Tanzania is a very popular place for wildlife tourism for both Tanzanian and international tourists. The World Economic Forum has rated Tanzania 2nd in the world in terms of natural attractions.

Tourism is one of Tanzania’s biggest sources of income. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the last years. Wildlife tourism is the most popular form of tourism – even more popular than beach tourism at Tanzania’s beautiful beaches.

Tanzania offers a variety of beautiful landscapes including mountains like Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, vast plains, rivers, waterfalls and lakes and places yet to be discovered. It also offers a spectacular diversity of wildlife that guarantees an adventure and an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Wildlife tourism goes hand in hand with Tanzania’s wildlife conservation strategy implementing a sustainable wildlife development and wildlife utilization. 

PLACE TO VIST

There are a lot of places for wildlife tourism in Tanzania, most of them being protected areas. They are grouped into four categories: Game reserves, game controlled areas, wildlife management areas and Ramsar sites. All these places are controlled and managed by TAWA and operated by licensed tour operators or hunting companies. 

Tourists can select a place to visit according to their interests and preferences. All places can be reached by either car or airplane. Depending on the kind of place, tourists will find different possibilities for accommodations ranging from hotels over lodges, camp sites to tented camps.

Top places for wildlife tourism in TAWA’s protected areas

The three most popular places for wildlife tourism are:

Selous Game Reserve

Maswa Game Reserve

Ikorongo Game Reserve 

A list of all protected areas including a brief description can be found under Conservation > Proteced areas.

BEST TIME TO VISIT 

The best time to visit TAWA’s protected areas is from end of May until February. This way tourists avoid the rainy season in which certain protected areas are closed or not easily accessible.

Visit the second largest game reserve in Tansania:

The Selous Game Reserve

Learn more!

Activitities in protected areas

Tourist will find a great number of different activities to be undertaken in TAWA’s protected areas. Activities include non-consumptive and consumptive options. Non-consumptive means that no wildlife will be consumed, e.g. in case of photo safaris, while consumptive involves the killing of old wildlife, e.g. on hunting safaris. Activities are organized by tour operators and hunting companies licensed by TAWA as well as by TAWA itself.

List of activities

Photographic safari

Walking safari

Boat safaris

Biking safari

Hunting safari

Horse riding

Sport fishing

Ballooning

Rafting

The list of activities including a brief description can be found under Conservation > Wildlife utilization.

Entrance and activity fees

To insure a sustainable wildlife development and wildlife utilization, tourists need to pay entrance fees for the protected areas as well as activity fees. The fees are different for each protected area and each type of activity. The fees can be paid on site, e.g. at the gates of a game reserve, either individually or through a tour operator or hunting company.

Useful information

List of licensed tour operators

List of licensed hunting companies

Contact

For more information on wildlife tourism in our protected areas contact TAWA’s office in Morogoro.

ABOUT TOURISM TANZANIA

Tanzania is one of the unique destinations on the African continent that has yet to be discovered by many. It is a land of many wonders harboring an un-paralleled diversity of fauna and flora. Kilimanjaro, the highest permanently snow-capped free standing mountain in Africa, the exotic Islands of Zanzibar, the finest game sanctuaries of Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, Selous and the Marine Park of Mafia Island are only but a few of the living examples.

The scenery, topography and very friendly people make Tanzania one of the best places to visit and promise the best wildlife photographic safaris on the continent. Tanzania indeed has it all Tanzania has 22 National Parks, 1 conservation area, 27 Game Reserves, and several Marine Parks, a breathtaking coast and Lake Zone and gently undulating highlands that are a hiker’s paradise.

NATIONAL PARKS

Tanzanian National parks exist for the primary role of conservation of the great wealth for present and future generation. These National Parks include the:

1. Arusha National Park  

2. Gombe Stream National Park  

3. Katavi National Park  

4. Kilimanjaro National Park  

5. Kitulo National Park  

6. Mahale Mountains National Park  

7. Lake Manyara National Park  

8. Mikumi National Park  

9. Mkomazi National Park  

10. Ruaha National Park  

11. Rubondo Island National Park  

12. Saadani National Park  

13. Serengeti National Park  

14. Tarangire National Park  

15. Udzungwa National Park  

16. Saanane National Park

17. Burigi -Chato National Park

18. Ibanda Kyerwa National Park

19. Rumanyika-Karagwe National Park

20. Nyerere National Park

21. Ugalla River National Park

22. Kigosi National Park

All of these form the core of a much larger protected ecosystem that has been set aside to preserve the country’s rich natural heritage, and to provide secure breeding grounds where the diverse fauna and flora available can thrive safe from the ever increasing threat of human encroachment.

Tanzania has dedicated more than 42,000 square kilometers more than one third of its territory- a uniquely high proportion of land to the formal protection of its wildlife as National Parks and Game Reserves despite its growing population pressures.

The existing park system protects a number of internationally recognized bastions of biodiversity and world heritage sites thereby redressing the balance of deforestation, agriculture and urbanization that is threatening Tanzania’s remaining wilderness. In this, Tanzania has successfully resisted the temptation to cash in on the short term gains of mass tourism.

Human activity is closely monitored and all development strictly regulated. Building in the parks is kept unobtrusive and waste disposal is carefully controlled. Park visitors and facilities are widely distributed to prevent harassment of animals and to minimize the human imprint on the environment.

Guardianship of this rich resource is solely reliant on the goodwill of the park’s neighbors- the indigenous tribes of the different parts of Tanzania where the parks are located.

The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is working hard to ensure that local communities have a sense of ownership and a vested interest in the future of the parks by sharing the rewards of conservation and delivering tangible benefits. A percentage of park revenues is allotted to assist community development initiatives such as the construction of schools, health dispensaries, water schemes and roads. Villagers are encouraged to develop cultural tourism projects to cultivate their own cultures and supplement their incomes.

Tanzania has set a benchmark of its responsibility- to its citizens, their offspring’s and the world at large- in the conservation and management of a global resource. In this, Tanzania remains committed to low impact, sustainable visitation to protect the environment from irreversible damage while creating a first class ecotourism destination.

By choosing to visit Tanzania either by merely browsing the net or by actually making a trip to our beautiful land, you are supporting a developing country’s extraordinary investment in the future.

Tanzania’s diverse attractions are of course bound by its people, who take justifiable pride in their deeply ingrained national mood of tolerance and peacefulness. Indeed, Tanzania, for all its ethnic diversity, is practically unique in Africa in having navigated a succession of modern political hurdles – the transformation from colonial dependency to independent nation, from socialist state to free-market economy, from mono-partyism to fully-fledged democracy - without ever experiencing sustained civil or ethnic unrest.

Tanzania has also, over the past 20 years, emerged from comparative obscurity to stand as one of Africa’s most dynamic and popular travel destinations: a land whose staggering natural variety is complemented by the innate hospitality of the people who live there.

How to define the Tanzanian experience? Surprisingly easy, really. It can be encapsulated in a single word, one that visitors will hear a dozen times daily, no matter where they travel in Tanzania, or how they go about it: the smiling, heartfelt Swahili greeting of “Karibu!” – Welcome

AFRICA TANZANIA TOURS , WELCOME TO VISIT TANZANIA

This one of the best countries in tourism, it is a country equally blessed to have much tourist attractions, starting there  with the island of Zanzibar located in the east of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It is a beautiful and interesting island surrounded by beautiful beaches on all sides, there are old buildings used by the colonialists during the slave  trade the island of Zanzibar was the main market for slave trade in East African countries. Many tourists like to visit the island of Zanzibar every day from different countries around the world

There is also the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro It is also found in Tanzania, there are also many game parks, such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro National Park, Mikumi National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Nyerere National Park, Saadani National Park.  Udizungu national park and Ruhaa national park, and also there waterfall etc: But also many tourists like to visit all Tanzania national parks every day, from all over the world

So you all welcome to visit Tanzania, Tanzania ready for you, Tanzania Unforgettable experience

Continue to follow various articles about tourism in Tanzania etc: in AFRICA TANZANIA TOURS.  In order to continue to know more about Tanzania in the tourism sector, if you have any comments, put them in the comment section, also if you have any questions you can ask and we will answer them immediately, continue to follow AFRICA TANZANIA TOURS

Thanks 

KNOW ABOUT TANZANIA FROM IN (AFRICA TANZANIA TOURS)

 Africa Tanzania tours, brings you various articles on various tourist attractions in Tanzania, and enables you to prepare your trip to visit Tanzania for tourism and other activities easily.

And to learn and see the real life of Tanzania and its communities,  Tanzania is a country located in the east of the African continent, there are more than 120 tribes. It is surrounded by the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Rwanda, there are three big lakes, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa and Lake Tanganyika. 

There are various natural attractions, like the Indian Ocean in the Indian Ocean there is a beautiful island of Zanzibar that many tourists like to visit here all the time, there is the highest and largest mountain in Africa, the KILIMANJARO Mountain

it is the fourth largest mountain in the world.  More than 5432 meters from sea level.  There are many and big national parks, there is Serengeti national park, there is Ngorongoro crater national park, there is Mikumi national park and Manyara national park.  that is the country of Tanzania