The Serengeti

In the Maa language, Serengeti means “endless plains,” named after the grassland plains that make up the Serengeti National Park. The park, located in northern Tanzania and extending to south-western Kenya, covers an area of 5,700 square miles (14,763 square km), making it the largest grassland range in Africa.The park, home to the Maasai people, was established in 1951, and is renowned for its wildebeest migration, one of the largest mammal migrations in the world. In addition to wildebeest, the park is home to a wide variety of large antelopes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, hippos, hyenas, and more. It is also home to almost 500 different bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Visitors can experience the park in many ways, such as on game drives, walking safaris, balloon safaris, and witnessing the Great Migration.When is the best time to visit the Serengeti National Park and how can one get there?

The best time to visit Serengeti National Park is during the dry season, which lasts from late June to October. However, the park is open all year round, and different seasons offer different experiences.

January to February is the beginning of the green season and the wildebeest migration is concentrated in the Ndutu area, making it a great time for bird watching.

 March is a transitional period between the green and rainy seasons, and the wildebeest calving season is almost over.

April to May is the rainy season, and it can be difficult to move around and enjoy the sun. However, the migration is expected to be in the south/central Serengeti, and there are fewer visitors.

 June to August is the peak season for safari visitors as it marks the beginning of the dry season. The great migration crosses the Grumeti River in June, and in July, it starts making its way north towards the Mara River.

September to October is still the dry season, and visitors are fewer. The migration is expected to be in the Maasai Mara in Kenya during this period.

 November to December marks the short rains, and there are fewer visitors. The migration is back, making its way to the south Serengeti and the north Ngorongoro.

To get to Serengeti National Park, visitors can travel by road or air. The most popular way to travel to the park by road is by booking a drive-in safari from Arusha, which takes around 7 hours (318 km) to reach the park.

There are four main entry and exit gates: Naabi Hill Gate, Ndabaka, Klein’s Gate, and Bologonya Gate (not in use yet). Alternatively, visitors can opt for a fly-in safari, which is a faster option. Private charter flights or scheduled flights can be booked to reach the park.

There are several accommodations available in the park, ranging from public campsites to luxury lodges. Visitors can choose from seasonal lodges, tented lodges, or regular lodges, depending on their budget and preferences. Ndutu is recommended for December to March during the wildebeest calving season, while Seronera is ideal for April to May when the wildebeest migration is in the Grumeti area.