Visit Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's first National Park and the eighth wonder of the world, is famous for it's vastness and the spectacle of predator verses pray, a theme which particularly dominates the annual wildebeest migration.
In Massai language Serengeti means 'endless plain'. The plains were formed millions of years ago from volcanic ash exploding out of the Ngorongoro highlands, which served to establish the rich soil of the southern grass plains. The arriving colonists in the early part of the 19th century found a virtually untouched land which they exploited for it's huge hunting potential.
The Serengeti National Park itself covers an area of 14,763 square kilometers but is also central to the more expansive Serengeti ecosystem, a buffer zone which serves to protect the annual wildebeest migration. This liberating sense of space holds upwards of 3 million large animals.
For three to four weeks in February to March, 90% of the female wildebeest 'flood' the plains with thousands of new born calves. The largest animal migration on earth starts here (May to June) when herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra instinctively move en-masse to the Massai Mara (in Kenya) in search of water and fresh grazing, followed by hungry predators.
The unchanging Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. Within the Serengeti region two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves have been established. The unique ecosystem has inspired writers, filmmakers and numerous photographers and scientists.
Highlights: Home of the 'big five' and seasonal rivers hosting Africas largest crocodiles. Also famous for its rocky outcrops or kopjes. The Serengeti is a wildlife watchers paradise with spectacles unfolding among the diverse habitats - the western corridor, northern woodland, southern grass plains and the Seronera valley.
Take a balloon safari over the Serengeti plains.
Visitors should plan to linger as long as they can. Serious game viewing takes patience.
For more information on the Serengeti animal migration see Travel FAQs
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