Serengeti National Park in Tanzania (East Africa)

The Serengeti National Park is a dramatic and exceptional wildlife sanctuary, situated in the north of Tanzania; in the awesome Mara Region; and in one of the richest and most remarkable ecological zones in the world; referred to as the Serengeti ecosystem. Earmarked as a protected area since 1940, the park ultimately acquired national park status in 1950. This outstanding wildlife asylum covers an area of 14,763 km² (5,700ml²), essentially comprising virtually sweeping plains of savannah grassland, coupled with riverine forest and woodlands. To the north of the park is Tanzania’s border with Kenya, allowing the park territorial connection with the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. To the South-East of the park lies the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; to the South-West is situated the Maswas Game Reserve; to the West are the Ikorongo and Grumeti Game Reserves; and to the North-East lies the Loliondo Game Control Area. All these parks, alongside the Serengeti Park itself, collectively constitute what is referred to as the Serengeti ecosystem.

The spectacular expanses of the Serengeti plains are universally acclaimed, for hosting the largest remaining and unaltered migration of animals in the world; where over one million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other ungulates, embark upon a 1,000 km (625ml) circular migration route, which spans the two adjoining countries of Tanzania and Kenya. This remarkable and bewildering phenomenon transpires in an exceptionally scenic setting, comprising extensive plains; and featuring 25,000km² (9653ml²) of uninterrupted expanses of formidably flat short grasslands, admirably punctuated by rocky outcrops (kopjes), and beautifully interspersed by rivers and woodlands. The Park also hosts one of the largest and most diverse large predator-prey interactions in the planet, providing a uniquely impressive and edifying experience. 

Owing to the park’s extensive biodiversity and ecological significance, it has been granted World Heritage Status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The park has also been formally accredited as a conservation area, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

To forbid major human-induced defacement of this breathtaking ecosystem, human settlement in the park is entirely prohibited, with the exception of personnel of the Tanzanian Park Authority, researches and staff of the German-based Frankfurt Zoological Society; and also personnel of various hotels and lodges operating in the wildlife haven. The principal settlement is at Seronera, which equally serves as the park’s headquarters, and lodges a majority of research staff. The area is also the site of the park’s primary airstrip for fly-in safaris.

The park is usually distinguished into three ecological units, comprising the following:

Serengeti plains comprise measureless expanses of uninterrupted grassland, in which breed species such as wildebeest; while hoofed species like zebra, gazelle, impala, hartebeest, topi. Buffalo, waterbuck and more, equally abound in this ecological niche.

Western corridor comprises black clay soils, nicknamed black cotton, which carpets the swampy savannah of this region. In the Grumeti River of this area dwell Nile crocodiles, colobus monkey and the martial eagle.

Northern Serengeti comprises a landscape dominated by open woodlands and hills, ranging from Seronera in the south, to the Mara River in the north.

The blended impact of volcanic soils, and the ecological effect of massive wildlife migration, has resulted in a highly productive ecological area, sustaining the largest number of ungulates and the highest concentration of large predators in the world. The ecosystem supports 2 million wildebeests; 900,000 Thomson’s gazelles and 300,000 zebras, as the dominant herds. Other herbivores include 7,000 elands, 27,000 topis, 18,000 hartebeests, 70,000 buffalos, 4,000 giraffes, 15,000 warthogs, 3,000 waterbucks, 2,700 elephants, 500 hippopotamuses, 200 black rhinoceroses, 10 species of antelope and 10 species of primate. Major predators include 4,000 lions, 1000 leopards, 225 cheetahs, 3,500 spotted hyenas and 300 wild dogs. Numerous other larger and smaller mammals dwell in the park.

A marvelling population of over 500 bird species inhabit the park, among which are both permanent and seasonal dwellers. Some of these birds are endemic to Tanzania. The park sustains the highest population of ostriches in Tanzania; and possibly in Africa.

The spectacular annual migration of wildlife is championed by wildebeest, which number in millions; but other species participating in this migration spectacle include: burchell’s zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, eland, topi and more. The herds are followed by prides of lions of up to 3000 individuals; hyena, jackal etc.

There are large herds of  numerous species of antelope dwelling on the grasslands; such as eland, lesser kudu, roan antelope, oribi, Grant's gazelle, hartebeest, steenbock, topi and oryx; not forgetting the buffalo. In the woodlands are grimmia, impala and Kirk's dikdik. In the swamps are reedbuck and waterbuck.  Kopjes include the klipspringer, as well as giraffe and olive baboon; and on the mountains dwell mountain reedbuck.