Serengeti National Game Park in northern Tanzania is known for its massive annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. Seeking new pasture, the herds move north from their breeding grounds in the grassy southern plains. Many cross the marshy western corridor’s crocodile-infested Grumeti River and others veer northeast to the Lobo Hills a home to black eagles. Black rhinos inhabit the granite outcrops of the Moru Kopjes.
Serengeti National Game Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife. Over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size. The following are some of the tours you can engage in while in Serengeti National Game Park.
The great wildebeest migration tour. This migration is the major highlight/attraction in Serengeti National Game Park. It is one of the seven wonders in the world that happens annually in different sections of Serengeti. The wildebeest migration is the largest movement of wildlife in the world and it can be seen during a Tanzania tour and after relax at the shores of Zanzibar islands.
The wildebeest migration event is much recognized in the tourism and hospitality industry globally. It attracts millions of tourists who come to witness the world cup of animals at the stadium of Mara River while the crocodiles as referee who like giving red cards to the players through preying on the millions of wildebeest and thousands of Zebras which cross the river to the Masai Mara National Park.
The area harbors the highest number of cheetahs in Serengeti National Park near the mountains at the edge of the Northern part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Serengeti National Park gives guests a good view of animals throughout the year especially in areas of Seronera, Grumeti River and Ndutu areas. The wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park happens in five sectors or regions of the park each happening on different time of the year hence making Serengeti National Park one of the best destinations voted several times in Africa.
The wildebeest migration journey starts in Southern Serengeti when wildebeest calves are being born. Predators like lions and hyenas are constantly hunting for babies and thousands of calves are born within a couple of weeks. When the drought comes in May, the herd moves north towards the Masai Mara in Kenya chomping down the high green grass quickly followed by the gazelles and zebras. Crossing rivers means facing about 3,000 crocodiles, patiently waiting for a kill. The wildebeest migration attracts tourists to the Serengeti because it offers countless opportunities to witness the great battles between prey and predator.
Game drive tours. Game viewing is also one of the highlights on a Tanzania safari activity to be done while in Serengeti National Park offering tourists a chance to see wildlife animals up-close. This experience is done on several game viewing tracks running through the savannah plains.
Serengeti National Game Park is a home to abundant wildlife species which you will spot during game viewing experience that’s to say during morning, afternoon and full day game drives.
Some of the animals to spot during these game drives include; lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, cape buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, water bucks, common elands, impalas, warthogs, hyenas, hippos among others. On top of wildlife, you will also enjoy the spectacular landscape and various bird species.
Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Serengeti plains. Hot air balloon is an exciting Tanzania safari to do in Serengeti National Park while on a Tanzania safari. This activity offers aerial views of the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
The hot air balloon safari starts early in the morning with a briefing at a landing site. Visitors have a chance to enjoy watching the balloon being inflated.
While in the basket of the hot air balloon in the sky above the plains of Serengeti National Park, you will enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the endless plains and enjoy aerial views of the plains and animals such as lions, herds of elephants among others.
Hot air balloon experience is a magical experience and best for photographers and tourists wishing to witness the great wildebeest migration and at the end of this amazing experience, you enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Bird watching tours. Serengeti National Park is also seen as a best destination because it is a home to over 500 bird species. Therefore, tourists most especially those who are bird lovers can always pay a visit to the park to spot the species available.
Tourists are advised to move along with the binoculars to help them capture clear views of the birds even when they are in a distance. Some of the bird species to spot include; the grey throated spur fowl, Schalow’s wheatear, red throated tit, rufous – tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike, Schalow’s turaco, flamingos, vultures among others.
Guided Nature Walk tours. Nature walks are an excellent way to discover the Serengeti in a way that would not be possible while on a standard game drive. The Nature walks are unpredictable and you do not follow specific tracks. This allows you to spot reptiles, birds, insects and other rare plants along the way. Most nature walks are organized by some of the accommodation facilities. You will be escorted by an armed ranger who is experienced in the terrain and knows about the different species in the park.
Camping tours. Camping in the wilderness is also one of the popular activities while on a safari in the Serengeti. Your hotel should provide you with all the camping gear in case if you do not have any, a chef and armed guards. Camping is even more exciting if you travel in a group. You would have fun with your group-mates. You will still get to experience what it is like to sleep in the African wilderness with the beautiful sounds of birds, hungry lions and nervous herbivores.
Cultural tour. Serengeti is a home to society, the semi-nomadic pastoralists living in most parts of Northern Tanzania. Maasai is one of the East African tribal groups which still lives by the ancient values up to now. A trip to their villages or Boma is an excellent opportunity to learn their culture and traditional briefs. The Maasai Boma are very grateful and happy to see you in their compounds. They will teach you how to hunt, milk domestic animals and cook traditional foods. You will also be able to attend traditional dance performances alongside with buying handicraft s made creativity by Maasai artists.
A bush meal tour. Taking meal in the bush might be the most overwhelming deed most especially for a family having the best of their tourism experience at Serengeti National Park. Restaurants responsible for bush meals often offer meals in the bush-sites away from the main restaurants situated on regular places. There are dining tables well set in these areas with well-trained chefs entirely at your very services. Serengeti National Park bush restaurants are fully equipped with a variety of dishes to choose from starting from the lovely traditional cuisine like nyama choma with Ugali.
Walking tours. These are unpredictable tours as they do not follow specific routes majorly characterized with custodian from an armed Serengeti National Park’s ranger as your guide ranger to take you through your adventurous walk. It is the best way of unveiling the beauty of Serengeti National Park without using a vehicle or hot air balloons. The walking tours enable visitors explore that cannot be seen while in the car such as insects, reptiles, plant species among others.