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Safari in the Serengeti
by Sarah Manners
Tanzania is truly the safari
capital of the world; the word safari is actually Swahili - the native
language of Tanzanians. While on a holiday in Tanzania it would be a sin
to miss out on the breathtaking natural beauty and the awesome game viewing
of the Serengeti.
The Magical Plains of
the Serengeti
 "We
walked for miles over burnt out country... Then I saw the green trees of
the river, walked two miles more and found myself in paradise." Stewart
Edward White when he came upon the Serengeti in 1913.
To the Masaai who roamed
this gorgeous place it was known as the Siringitu - "the place where the
land moves on forever." Anyone visiting the Serengeti will be awestruck
by the sheer expanse of the area. Stand still, appreciate the finest qualities
of nature and loose yourself in this East African paradise.
The Serengeti region encompasses
various National Parks and Game reserves in Tanzania including the Serengeti
National Park, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled
Areas the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maasai Mara National Reserve
in Kenya.
The Serengeti stretches on
for 30,000 km² region and is one of the earth’s oldest ecosystems.
Made up of wide open grassy plains, savannah, wooded grassland black clay
plains, rivers, lakes and swamps the Serengeti is a diverse and magnificent
region. The unique combination of habitats and ecosystems enables the area
to support large numbers of different animal and bird species.
 The
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park
is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. With the greatest concentration
of plain game in the world, the Serengeti National Park has become a favourite
amongst safari enthusiast’s world wide. Once you have visited the mystical
place you will know why.
On a safari in the Serengeti
National Park you will see wildebeest, zebra, impala, warthog, gazelle,
hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah ,caracal and giraffe to mention but a few.
The majestic black-maned lions of Seronera are one of the parks most glorious
sights, once hunted and very nearly extinct they can now be seen in prides
of up to 20 members.
The Serengeti Shall Not
Die
It is not only safari seekers
that travel to the Serengeti National Park, the area is an important centre
of scientific research. The pioneering work of Dr. Bernhard Grizmek and
his Michael concerning aerial surveys of wildlife resulted in the best-selling
classic “Serengeti Shall Not Die”. The Serengeti Research Institute, continues
their work, and provides vital information on management and conservation
of game parks ecology and ethnology.
 It
is only the rhinos which no longer roam these grassy plains after poaching
eradicated them. Conservation efforts in the park have lead to the growth
of the wildebeest and buffalo populations which in turn has benefited the
predators - lion, cheetah, and hyena. Although conserving the Serengeti’s
delicate ecosystem is a priority; drought, disease and overgrazing are
threats to the survival of this great African region. The Tanzanian government
is taking every precaution to ensure the conservation of this amazing natural
phenomenon for mankind to enjoy.
The Serengeti – A Year
Round Destination
Visit between the months
of December and March to revel in the glory of an African summer. The short,
sporadic rains provide relief to the heat and the game viewing is superb.
During the rainy season,
which lasts from April to June, there tend to be less travellers and the
cost of an East African safari is cheaper. Don’t be put off by this though
as the game viewing opportunities are still excellent. The months from
July to November are the busiest when in comes to travel in the Serengeti,
safaris and tours get very busy very quickly so be sure to book in advance
to spend your summer holidays exploring this magnificent area.
Undeniably one of the best
times to visit the Serengeti is during the annual migration when thousands
of wildebeest and zebra make their way from the Serengeti in Tanzania to
the Masai Mara in Kenya. As predators follow the wildebeest and zebra closely
a migration safari is an ideal opportunity to view lions and other big
cats as well as these breathtaking herds. Although the exact timing of
the migration changes with each passing year the best time to take in this
magnificent phenomenon is between June and August. The herds then usually
spend 2 months in the Masai Mara and then begin their long journey back
to the glorious Serengeti.
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