Serengeti National Park In Africa
Introduction:
The Serengeti is a year-round destination where you can always find the most diverse wildlife in Africa. It is a multiple award-winning reserve and chances are the documentary you’re watching has been shot in the very park. It is the center of the Great Migration and if you are a wildlife enthusiast, you must see this show at least once. There are more than a million animals in this area. It covers more than 15,000,000 hectares or 37,000,000 acres across the northwestern part of Tanzania. Here, we try to highlight the best time to visit Serengeti, the Great Migration, and other aspects.
Map of the Serengeti is on the left:
The Best Time To Visit The Serengeti:
However, if you want to see the Great Migration, you must visit within a certain timeframe. The best time to visit this hub of wildlife is from January to February or from June to October, which is the dry season. Winter is the best time for witnessing the galloping wildebeest in the southern Serengeti. On the other hand, the best time to spend summer and autumn is in the western corridor and the northern part of the park. This is when the bush thins out, making it easier to spot game during drives. Thanks to this season there is little to no chance of malaria. In case the heat gets to you, there is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which you may find cooler because of its elevation.
Best Things To Do In The Serengeti:
You’ll likely see giraffes, elephants, hippos, and, of course, lions in the Serengeti National Park, which is home to the world’s largest concentration of large mammals. More than 500 different types of birds, including flamingos and ostriches, can be seen there as well. It’s thrilling to witness an animal or two at a time, but nothing compares to watching them in a pack. The primary attraction of the Serengeti is the Great Migration: Over a million zebras, wildebeest, and other hoofed creatures are traveling on this journey. Here are some of the best things that just have to be on your Serengeti bucket list:
WitnessThe Great Migration
The Great Migration is the main draw for visitors visiting Serengeti National Park. The Great Migration, which takes place every year in the Serengeti in search of food and breeding grounds, is thought to be one of the biggest animal migrations in the world, including over a million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other species.
Going To The Ngorongoro Conservation Area
When you’re in the vicinity, make sure you visit the Ngorongoro Conservation, even though it’s not officially a part of Serengeti National Park. The location is surrounded by the Ngorongoro Crater, the sixth-largest complete volcanic caldera in the world, and Olduvai Gorge, which flanks the eastern edge of the Serengeti. Over 25,000 species and thousands of Masai pastoralists live within this vast UNESCO World Heritage site, which covers more than 32,000 square kilometers.
The Naabi Hill
The primary entrance to Serengeti National Park is located on Naabi Hill, which is situated in the Eastern Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There’s a walking track on Naabi Hill that provides some of the nicest views of the Serengeti; stretch your legs there after paying your admission fee (or pausing so your safari guide can complete paperwork). Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travel to the acacia-covered hill every year to breed and find food during the Great Migration. It also serves as the base of operations for a pride of lions.
Lobo Valley
The Lobo Valley visit ought to be at the top of your itinerary if you’re in the Northern Serengeti. American naturalist Stewart White had called this vast region a “paradise” in 1913. This is where lions, cheetahs, and leopards roam, together. The Lobo Valley is home to giraffes, elephants, and baboons. From July to November, millions of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras visit the region as part of The Great Migration.
Moru Kopjes (Central Serengeti)
The lone black rhino population in Serengeti National Park is found in Moru Kopjes, which is located in Central Serengeti around 32 miles northwest of Naabi Hill. Despite the park’s best efforts to save this species from extinction in the 1980s, horn poaching has resulted in a decline in the species’ population in recent years. There is still a tiny herd of this critically endangered mammal in the area, and it is kept under strict observation by armed rangers who try to stop poaching. Although black rhinos are lonely animals, Moru Kopjes is the best site to see them up close.
The Magic Of The Serengeti:
It is difficult to put the Serengeti in words. You will try to explain to friends and relatives what it’s like to see and hear millions of wildebeest buzzing so densely in the air that it vibrates through your entire body, only to realize it’s not conceivable. Seeing the stunning sights of honey-lit meadows at nightfall is well worth the journey. The sincere smiles of the Maasai people, instantly make you feel warm on the inside. Or simply the sensation of being surrounded by thousands of animals all the time; the Serengeti National Park is spectacular year-round, regardless of when you visit during the migration.
The Serengeti plains are still ruled by animals, even though humans have lived here for a very long time. For about 4 million years, not only humans but also our ancestors, the Australopithecus afarensis, lived in this region. The park is home to many native groups. Among the most well-known is the Maasai tribe, whose culture has been preserved for a very long period, making them well-liked. The Maasai people, who have persevered in their traditional way of life despite Western influences in education, civilization, and culture, are a symbol of Tanzanian and Kenyan culture.
Monthly Weather Analysis:
In general, the Serengeti experiences a mild and comfortable weather. It never gets very hot but it stays cool consistently, getting colder at night and early morning. Therefore, we recommend you bring some warm clothes with you. Here, we’ve tried to analyze the seasons brought by each month in the Serengeti.
Serengeti Green Season
The long wet season between April and May is called the ‘green season’ because this is the time of winter in the northern hemisphere. This season brings rainfall to eastern Africa and you can see a lot of migratory birds throughout the time. During the green season, many companies specializing in Tanzania safaris will waive the single supplement fee. They relax the limit a little so that more people visit. There are also children’s discounts to make travel easier. There are two wet seasons, one is a short one and the other one is longer. The latter starts in March and goes on till May while the short one lasts from November to December. Many people hold the notion that the rainy season isn’t the best time to go to the Serengeti. Many camps stay closed during the rains, sadly.
Since the green season is not a time when you will find a lot of footfall in the Serengeti, you will find that the prices have gone down significantly. You can try staying longer to get an experience of the wildlife few get. The greenery that you will see will be unparalleled. You can get to see birds and antelopes among other animals. Africa’s best landscape can be enjoyed in all its glory during the green season and this is the best time for seeing some truly memorable sunrises and sunsets.
The Season Of Transition: September And October
The temperature of the Serengeti rises between September and October. The rays of the sun become more powerful now and the average temperature is around 30°C. In this season of transition, the air bridges the gap between cold and heat.
Peak Season In Serengeti: July And August
The best time to visit the Northern Serengeti and see the migration over the Mara River is probably during this peak season. The roads are better and animal viewing is at its best because of the rains ending. It is best to stay in the Western Corridor at this time.
October To December
The Great Migration has returned to the southern grasslands, heralded by brief but frequent showers of rain. This month, make most of your time in the Western Corridor along the Grumeti River, or at the permanent campground with panoramic views at Mbalageti Tented Lodge.
Beyond The Great Migration:
Less is more in the Serengeti from August to March; there are fewer people and cars, but there is also more time, space, and incredible wildlife encounters.
Huge grasslands predominate among the many landscapes that make up the Serengeti National Park. This diversity is mirrored in the western quadrant, where the open-space majesty of the grassy plains with their rolling hill backdrop contrasts with the verdant splendor of the Grumeti riverine valley and forested shoreline. This area is a photographer’s dream destination because of the sunrises and sunsets here.
Serengeti’s Weather Patterns
This is one of the most attractive cities in Zimbabwe. The second-largest city in the country has a rich cultural history and was founded in the 1840s by the Ndebele King Lobengula Khumalo. Bulawayo was colonized in 1894. The colonial structure is standing to this day. If you walk down the boulevards you will get to the parks full of jacaranda trees. Bulawayo’s attractions include the Bulawayo Railway Museum and the Natural History Museum. The railway museum shows Zimbabwe’s history through its extensive network of railways.
The Dry Season
Typically, afternoon highs are around 26°C/79°F. The skies are mostly clear. At night, the minimum temperature drops to about 14°C/57°F.
June To September
There may be sporadic cold fronts with near-freezing temps. Usually, the early hours of the day are cold.
October
If the brief rains arrive early, they may begin before the end of October.
The Wet Season
The climate is similar to that of the Dry Season. Normal afternoon highs are approximately 27°C/81°F, while typical evening lows are around 15°C/59°F.
November And December
There is a sporadic, roughly one-month-long spell of rain that falls between November and December. Because the rains are brief, it is unlikely that they would disrupt your safari.
January And February
In-between the short and long rains is frequently a dry time. It is unpredictable when it will happen exactly.
March, April, And May
These months are the wettest. Though rarely all day, it usually rains on most days. Expect consistent cloudy days.
Finally, Which Is The Best Time To Visit Tanzania’s Serengeti?
Visits to the Serengeti National Park are most enjoyable from January and February or from June to September. Ideally, you should schedule your travel to coincide with The Great Migration.
