Destinations / The Best Places for a Safari in Africa / Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania offers a classic safari. Extensive grasslands make Serengeti fantastic for the convenient monitoring of hunting lions, because you can see them clearly. It was from here that the migration of wild beasts and zebras began, as well as the area is much larger than the Mara territory , as a consequence it is less filled with tourists. Serengeti National Park , the national park in Serengeti grasslands is located in Tanzania and Kenya. Savannah extends from the north of Tanzania, east of Lake Victoria, Kenya to the south and covers an area of approximately 30,000 km ². The name comes from the Masai word “siringet”, meaning "extended area". Serengeti is situated at an altitude of 920 to 1850 m above the sea level and its landscape varies from long or short grass on the south to the hills covered by forests in the north. For typical concentrations of Serengeti (over 1.5 million individuals) of wild ungulates (antelopes, zebras, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, hippos), common is the elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena and others. All the year-round there is an incessant migration of large herds of ungulates, looking for a watering place, considered one of the most striking seasonal changes in the wild. The world's largest flock of lions, or, as it is called in zoology , the pride of lions, was found in the Serengeti Park in 2005. The pride consists of 41 lions. The pack also includes eight 4-year-old lionesses and 9 young "princesses" who are executed for two years. Back in the pride 13 cubs live between the ages of 4 months to a year. Nowhere in Africa has not previously been such a big pack. Europeans learned first about these places only in 1913. Unfortunately, like all the territory of the British colonies in East Africa, the Serengeti Plains quickly became a place of mass pilgrimage hunters from Europe.
Hystory
The National Park was established in 1940 in connection with the danger of extinction of large animals, many hunters, both local and from other countries. Serengeti is one of the largest reserves in the world. The park is popular because you can observe the migration of animals. Having been here once, you will definitely come back here: the effects of light, plains, volcanoes on the horizon, amazing fauna and, of course, a proud and distinctive Masai people living in these places. Established in 1951, the National Park Serengeti is one of the largest parks in Africa. It is located 320 km from the city of Arusha, at an altitude of 910 m to 1890 m above the sea level. Translated from the Maasai language, "Serengeti" means "endless plains". Nature is diverse in the Serengeti: savannas and plains, rivers and lakes. Serengeti is superior to other national parks in Africa by the number of species and the total number of animals living in it. About 35 species of plains animals, including the "big five" - elephants, rhinos, lions (3,000 individuals), leopards and buffalos can be found in the National park.
Things to do
In fact, here you can find all the African animals: more than just the park is famous for great herds of wildebeest and zebras, as well as one of the highest focus of Lions (3000), and cheetahs. Along the rivers and creeks you'll see graceful leopards on the plains, jackals and hyenas, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, baboons, hippos, crocodiles and numerous herbivores, eland antelope presented and impala, water goats, Thompson gazelles and Grant. The park is home to over 500 species of birds: ostriches, bustards, secretary birds and many small birds. Serengeti Safari are consistently excellent and extremely varied: classic jeep safaris, guided walks, bird watching, a meeting of African sunsets and great balloon flights, during which the vast expanses of the Serengeti will appear before you in all grandeur from the bird flight.
Useful Tips
For security reasons, you should not carry a large sum of money to wear expensive jewelry. At night, you should avoid visiting unfamiliar deserted places. Do not leave your belongings unattended. It is not recommended to drink water from the tap. For drinking, use only bottled water, after checking, well if they were sealed. Water is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice should be boiled or disinfected by other means. If you are bitten by a dog or other animal, contact your doctor immediately. In order to protect health should consult a private clinic. The country has more than 2,000 clinics and some Christian missions also provide medical care. Visits to national parks cannot drive up too close to animals and prevent them from hunting. It is not recommended to move out of the way in and out of the car without the permission of the guide. This can be done only in designated areas. To feed the animals in national parks is strictly prohibited. Long trekking or hiking should carefully prepare the clothing strongly recommended repellents and wide hats.
When is the best time to visit
Visiting Serengeti Park is best linked to the annual migration of animals, from February to June, on the eastern edge of the animal rises to the north, and from September to December, down again to the south through the western part of the park.
Climate
The park has a tropical climate with daytime temperature of 24 - 30 ° C. Serengeti National Park is considered one of the largest reserves in the world. Its area is over 14,000 square kilometers. Its name is translated from the language of the Masai tribes, settled in Tanzanian wasteland for about two hundred years before the first Europeans, means "endless plains".
Maps of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
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If you are looking for the best safari where you are almost guaranteed to see the "big five" most popular animals (big five most popular types of animals: lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants), then you cannot be wrong if you choose these places.
If you plan to go on a safari in Africa, we know that there are many aspects that you need to take note: for example, what animals you want to look at, what is the best time to go and do, what type of safari you prefer with all the amenities , camping, traveling, economy-camp - there are plenty to choose from.
The first thing you need to decide on what animal you want to watch.
Mammals, birds, reptiles or The Big Five most popular animals are: lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants.
If you want to see these animals during a trip, then you should go to Masai Mara, Kenya, Kruger National Park, South Africa or Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
If you're interested to see gorillas, we would advise you to go to Rwanda, Uganda and Gabon.
If you work inspired by Jane Goodall and prefer to see chimpanzees, then you certainly need to visit Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.
Enough to see a lot of elephants, a better place than the Okavango Delta, Botswana is not found.
To see the king of beasts- the lions, go to the Serengeti and protected areas Ngor, Ngorongo Conservation Area, South Africa - this is the best place to admire the lions.
In southern Africa, it is deserved to be mentioned South Luangwa National Park, as it is full of lions that live there more freely than in other places, equipped for tourists.
To see the black rhino is not easy, but still you have a chance to see him briefly in the Etosha National Park, Kruger National Park and in the Chobe National Park.
The huge number of hippos and crocodiles are in lakes and rivers of east and southern Africa.
More than anything I've seen them in a canoe safari in the Zambezi River, which flows between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and the Liwonde National Park in Malawi, also offer good conditions to observe hippos and crocodiles, but beware, these animals are extremely dangerous.
If the bird-watching is your passion, then you will be pleased to know that in Eastern and Southern Africa are available bird safari to view birds.
You must decide for yourself how close you want to get to the wildlife in Africa.
If you do not like watching the wildlife out of the SUV, then do not despair - there are plenty of alternative methods.
Safari on elephants The best offer on the back of an elephant safari is of Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Also, several of these trips are available in Zimbabwe, but throughout the safari.
Since elephants usually make their way to the desert, you may not much be watching, but the impression received from the fact that you are sitting high up on this huge beast, is definitely worth it.
Safari on foot If you're in good shape and love the thrill, then go on a safari on foot.
Guides will tell you many interesting things while walking, but because you are on your feet, you can do well close to the species, smells and sounds of African nature.
Safari on a mountain bike A great option for cycling for enthusiasts, this safari will make you experience the excitement, to show their flexibility! Canoe Safari Swimming along the Zambezi river among hippos and crocodiles, camping under the stars to the sounds of lions roaring in the night, crossing the river the spectacle of elephants - that's what a safari in a canoe.
It's magical.
Balloon Safaris It is rather expensive, but once in life itself, you can afford.
It's an unforgettable experience.
Safari on the ball offers the largest national parks.
The best place for it is in Serengeti Plains, where you can watch from the height the annual migration of wildebeest.
Passengers are treated to traditional hot air balloon with champagne.
Safari on a camel The advantage of traveling on a camel is that your guides are likely to be Aboriginal.
It's not so attracting like on a horse, but is funny and romantic.
Safari on horseback You can arrange the race for the zebras and antelopes! It is memorable, but you have to be completely healthy and have a great experience rider to take advantage of this safari.
Safari - Hunt If you want to go to Africa, not only to film by camera, but to use the gun to do a lot of options.
You will be able to bring the trophy to your living room.
Having selected the type of safari you're interested in, the next step is the selection of service levels in the safari .
From the list of the categories below, you can pick up a luxury, the usual safari, or something in between.
Traditional (mobile) safari tent The mobile camp moves with you from one location to another.
The camp is usually broken down for you in advance and is convenient of the level that you have chosen.
As a rule, in the camp you will have hot water shower, gourmet food and lots of servants, ready to meet your needs.
If you prefer to follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, this type of safari is for you.
Mobile safari is nice because you can get into more remote areas the African savannah.
Recommendations : Nomad Safari Guides : Tentage safari in Tanzania.
Abercrombie & Kent : Try their famous tour of Kenya Hemingway Safari.
Outback Africa : general camping safari.
Safari tours As a rule, you'll travel on a group of SUVs or pickup.
The itinerary of the safari is drawn up in every single day, you'll know it in advance.
It includes food, accommodation, leisure pastime.
There will be a guide who will help you throughout the safari and negotiate various issues.
Safari tours are a wonderful thing if you do not want too much difficulty during the trip.
The guides are usually well chosen, well-informed, which makes it possible to travel to more remote areas of Africa.
Recommendations : Taga Safari : Safari offers excellent tours in Malawi.
Explore Tanzania : A good example of a seven-day safari tours at reasonable prices.
Botswana Explorer : Chic guided tour that includes a walk to the best parks in Botswana and Victoria Falls at night.
Safari Package (a complete solution for safari) This species is similar to the safari tours, tour package offers you a definite route with accommodation and meals, but you are not traveling in a group.
All of your reservation will be made for you, so you do not have to worry about anything, in all other aspects you are the independent traveler.
Safari Package is a good option for those who choose to go to Africa for the first time, and for those who are limited financially, as these tours often cost little cheaper than others.
Recommendations : Kenya Discovery Tour: an eight-round package of top-notch Kenyan wildlife parks.
Northern Tanzania: a two-week tour of national parks in Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Luangwa Explorer Safari: the best tour in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, includes foot safari.
Independent safari by car If you actually choose to plan your trip, take a car and drive on the reserve, which you will choose! Not bad, of course, pre-study, and perhaps to copy an existing route that you like.
Parks usually are fairly remote places, so bring your extra supplies of food, water and fuel.
It is necessary to use the services of a tour agency or a tour operator to book a room and a car in advance.
Independent safaris are suitable for South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, but for countries like Zambia and Malawi, where infrastructure is poorly developed , a lack of gas stations and roads, an independent safari cannot be called a good choice.
Of course, if you do not find a fun ride, consisting of a detour on the road potholes the size of a truck, people, goats and dogs.
Otherwise, it is better to travel in these countries buying the tour.
Recommendations : Wildlife Africa: tours by car in South Africa.
Namibian Org.
: Enjoy Namibia at a time when you want it and at a pace which you can.
Safari Drive Car cover safari tours in several African countries, particularly in Kenya.
Safari with the arrival on site For absolute convenience, the operator of a charter flight can throw you right in the park.
These kinds of safaris allow you to visit the reservation and parks, which are not accessible by road offering a trip into the wild life as it once was.
Moving by air also saves time that can be spent on land and allows you to not spend a moment in vain and you can enjoy views of wildlife.
Recommendations : South Africa Fly-in safaris: a huge number of options available, including the Kruger National Park.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia: Experience the shipwreck in the desert, it's a little scary, but exciting at the same time.
On this tour you will not see much wildlife around.
Botswana Fly-in safaris: A good way to quickly move and visit some of the best parks, accessible only by air.
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