Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, is located in northern Tanzania, bordering Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya to the north, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast, and extending close to Lake Victoria in the west. Covering an impressive 14,763 square kilometers, Serengeti ranks as Tanzania’s third largest national park, following Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park.

Known for its vast landscapes, the name Serengeti originates from the Maasai word “Siringet,” meaning “endless plains.” Visitors immediately experience this grand expanse as they enter the southeastern plains from the Ngorongoro Highlands. Established as a protected area in 1921 and gazetted as a national park in 1951, Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest and one of the world's most famous wildlife sanctuaries.

According to the Tanzania National Parks website, Serengeti is home to the world's largest populations of wildebeest, zebras, Cape elands, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and gazelles. It also hosts the renowned Great Serengeti Migration, the last large-scale mammal migration, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

The Great Serengeti Migration: A Wildlife Spectacle

The Great Serengeti Migration is the world’s most spectacular wildlife migration, involving the movement of over a million wildebeest, zebras, and other animals across the Serengeti ecosystem. This incredible journey is driven by the availability of fresh water and pastures, following an annual clockwise pattern.

The migration spans across a region of 25,000 square kilometers, with most of it taking place within Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. About two-thirds of the migratory route is protected within Tanzania, including surrounding areas such as Loliondo Game Controlled Area, Maswa Game Reserve, Grumeti Game Reserve, and Ikorongo Game Reserve.

From December to April, the southeastern Serengeti plains, especially around Lakes Ndutu and Masek, become a key calving and regrouping site for the wildebeest herds. Ndutu, located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, plays a crucial role in this process, attracting thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. These open plains serve as a birthing ground for wildebeest in February and March.

During the long rains from March to May, the migrating herds roam through the Serengeti plains. By May and June, as the dry season begins, the animals start moving toward the Western Corridor near Lake Victoria. The Grumeti River in the western Serengeti becomes a vital route for the migration, providing essential water sources for both migratory and resident animals.

As the herds move north, they reach the Mara River in northern Serengeti, where some animals cross into the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya around September. By November, the wildebeest return to northern Tanzania, completing the cycle of the Great Migration.

While the Serengeti National Park offers world-class wildlife viewing year-round, the Great Migration adds an unparalleled dimension to its incredible biodiversity, making it one of the top travel destinations for wildlife enthusiasts globally.