INTRODUCTION

Serengeti National Park is not only undoubtfully the oldest park in Tanzania but also the largest park in Tanzania covering an area of 14,763 square kilometres with the oldest echo system in the world. Serengeti national park is located in north Tanzania but also extends into the southern part of Kenya within the savannah grasslands. The Park is bordered by Maasai mara from the north and Ngorongoro from the south. Serengeti national park is home to eye-catching wildebeest migration which is the largest animal migration on planet earth. The beauty of nature and various attraction creatures within Serengeti national park will definitely leave you in a state of suspense because you will be yearning to visit the park many and many more times. Serengeti national park isn’t only known for the wildebeest migration but is also home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The Park is home to over one million wildebeests, Antelopes, over 500 bird species, primates like the Olive Baboons and black-faced monkeys, Zebras and many more

History of Serengeti national park

Serengeti national park was fully established as a park in 1952.  The name “Serengeti” is an approximate word used by the Maasai locals to describe area. The Masai call it as “Siringet” meaning plains that run endlessly or without an end, to them, they thought Serengeti plains had no end since one could see as far the plains run but could not tell where it really ended. Serengeti national park was first visited by Oscar Baumann in 1892 followed by Stewart Edward white 1913 both of them being European explorers. Later on, due to un-ending lion hunting in 1921, the British colonial administration had to make it a game reserve which initially covered and area of 800 acres only. the Maasai were then chased and they migrated to Ngorongoro conservation unit where they live to date and the British colonial administration took a foward step to hold full control of the park leading to the establishment of Serengeti national park in 1952. In 1981, the park was listed as an international tourist attraction site amongst United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also known as UNESCO World Heritage. in 1991, the wild dogs became extinct from the park and have never been seen again around the park to date.

Attractions At Serengeti National Park

Bird species  

Serengeti national park provides accommodation for over 500 bird species. The bird species are both permanent and migratory birds, the migratory birds always come around the park during November and April. Birds such as flamingos, eagles, Ostrich, White-crowned shrike and Yellow-throated sandgrouse, vultures, Black-headed Heron, Arnaud’s barbet, Goshawk, Grey-breasted spurfowl, Grey-headed sparrow, Grenadier, Red-backed scrub, Rufous-tailed weaver, Secretary birds, The Kori bustard, Sunbird and many more are the bird species that can be found around the park. Serengeti national park is a one stop point for the bird viewers since it will offer them maximum satisfaction since some bird species especially the migratory birds come from as far as Europe and north Africa straight to the park.

Olduvai gorge

Olduvai gorge is another substantial attraction located within the Serengeti national park. Olduvai George is an historical site or place where the oldest remains of early man were discovered from by an archaeologist Dr louis leaky. That particular discovery really changed the evolution of man to date. the stone tools that were discovered jointly with Olduvai George also provide evidence about the occupation of early man.  The attraction can as well act as a research tool to students and other researchers as they try to understand more about the way of life of early man. wildlife can also be spotted around Olduvai George like the black rhinos making it an attractive site that also offers game viewing and educative-based research

Moru Kopjes

Moru Kopjes are found at various locations around the central parts of Serengeti national park. The Moru kopjes consist of granite rock outcrops formed through volcanicity making it another attraction feature located within the park. The Moru kopjes consist of protruding rocks that provide shade for many animals and predators as they wait for that right opportunity to strike on their prey. The Moru kopjes are a standout geographical creature from the rest of all other geographical landscapes providing a change in scenery as visitors tour and explore the park, the rocks can also act as a viewing point for various animals as they graze from within the park for example buffalos, giraffes, zebras, kobs and elephants.

Grumeti River

Grumeti river is located on the western side of Serengeti national park close to Lake Victoria the largest lake in East Africa. The river is a well-known attraction where the wildebeest cross through as they try to cross through to river Masai Mara during the wildebeest migration. However, the river is infested with numerous crocodiles that make the migration of the wildebeests a kind of war because they either fall prey to the crocodiles or survive them as they cross the river. The river though can also be peaceful and calm with animals just visiting the river to take water around the river banks and also have a bath. Grumeti river is just another eye-catching attraction that one would definitely want to be around the river again and again.

Retina hippo pool

The retina hippo pool is another attraction located in Serengeti national park which is a major home to numerous and large numbers of hippos as they try to cool off the heat from their bodies. The hippos usually be within the pool not forgetting the possibility of fights that may break up between the hippos in the pool. The pool gives you a close view and experience with the magnificent hippos which are among the African big five creatures and you could also make a memory by taking some photographs of each moment depending on your preferences

Wildebeest Migration

The wildebeest migration is an event where large herds of wildlife animal creatures like gazelles, zebras and wildebeest migrate between Serengeti national park and Masai mara national reserve. As the animals migrate, they experience numerous challenges as they have to avoid predators like lions, leopards and others. The heaviest of the challenges is the crossing of the Mara River as the animals migrate to the neighbouring country Kenya. The crossing of the mara river is the heaviest because the herds have to overcome the numerous crocodiles infested in the river which leaves the herds with two options life or death. The wildebeest migration offers visitors an opportunity to see the battles between predator and prey, visitors could also keep around to watch the wildebeests graze or watch them give birth also known as calving and this event normally happen in the month of late July and August