Serengeti National Park 

Best Park in Africa!
Fierce Female LionAfrican ElephantBaboon with a baby on its backGiraffeCheetah under a treeAfrican WarthogZebraJackal with ears perkedEgyptian DuckAdult Black Rhino
 = Commonly Seen
 = Often Seen
 = Rarely Seen

It is the dry season in the Serengeti as a herd of Thomson's Gazelle attempt to cross the valley in search of water. Up ahead, camouflaged near the tall, amber grasses, lies a pride of lions waiting to hunt. Nadira’s stomach growls, it has been days since her last meal and her cubs grow hungry. Nadira stalks over to the dirt safari road -- her haunches raised, she positions herself near the trailing end of the gazelle pack. Perched safely atop your Land Cruiser, you power up your camera, and line up for the shot...

The Serengeti has well earned its spot as one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world. Here, and only here, will you get opportunities like the above. Every day of safari travel is jam-packed with opportunity for observation!

Female Lion hunting Thompson Gazelle!

People & Biodiversity

The Maasai people have resided in the Serengeti for thousands of years. They are still thriving there today and welcome visitors to their land. In the native Maasai language, Serengeti means “endless plain” - a name that the park certainly upholds. Located in Northern Tanzania and spanning more than 12,000 sq. miles, the Serengeti Plains are larger than the state of Connecticut! The Seregenti plains are home to a multitude of majestic mammals, birds, and plants. The Serengeti is infamously known for its wildebeest migration; each year over 2 million wildebeest migrate across the plains in search of greener land. The Serengeti is home to the largest population of mammals on the planet.

The plains host a wide range of habitats. Over 70 mammal and 500 bird species roam freely and undisturbed. The Serengeti is known for having the highest concentration of large predators in the world. Amongst these predators live an impressive 3,000 lions, 3,500 hyenas, 1,000 leopards and 225 cheetahs. These predators certainly don’t lack choice when it comes to meal time as they have over 3 million prey to choose from. Thomson Gazelle, Dik-Dik, Waterbuck, Impala, Wildebeest, and Zebra all happily co-exist amongst one another until their paths cross one of these hungry predators. You might be lucky enough to witness firsthand one of these exhilarating pursuits.

Yawning cheetah mom and her cubs

Animal Diversity

While the Serengeti is full of heart-pounding moments, there is also plenty of opportunity for graceful observations. You will observe as prides of lions stretch and sleep beneath the strong sun. You will also see pairs of ostrich gliding through the endless plains, passing zebra and wildebeest whom are sipping from a nearby watering hole. Keep your eyes peeled! You might see strange black antennas moving briskly through the tall grass. These are actually warthogs running about with their tails high in the sky. Safari guides like to call them “African Antennas.” You will find giraffes grazing amongst the trees, leopards fast asleep in shadows, and elephants rubbing their sides against baobab trees. Animals have learned to use safari trucks as part of their natural environment, and will often come up to (even inches within) your vehicle for a close-up!

Flora & Fauna

Such a diverse set of wildlife needs an equally diverse set of vegetation to thrive. There are five different habitats - riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands. In each habitat, you will come across vegetation never before seen outside the national park. One unique example is the Kigelia, otherwise nicknamed the “sausage tree.” The Kigelia spawns off huge fruits that look oddly similar to sausages. These massive, peculiar fruits may be poisonous if eaten unripe, but you may find a troop of baboons enjoying this sweet treat while elephants munch on the leaves. Continue your journey through the plains and you will come across the awe-inspiring Baobab tree - often referred to as ‘the upside down tree’ (juu-chini mizizi in Swahili) or, ‘the tree of life’. No photo of the Serengeti is complete without a Baobab tree, known widely by its use in Disney’s The Lion King. Another commonly seen tree is the Whistling Thorn, which protects itself with 3 inch long thorns and is home to stinging ants. Giraffes must cautiously maneuver around these prickly trees to enjoy the nearby foliage.

Oxpecker Bird on an African Buffalo

Serengeti National Park Map

Serengeti National Park covers an area roughly similar to the state of Connecticut! On Kopa Tours safaris, you will stay in luxury lodges & wild camps right in the heart of the Serengeti. The Serengeti Safari Lodge will astound you with its incredible private bungalows. The Serengeti Wild Camp will take your breath away with sunsets over the endless Serengeti Plains. The Serengeti National Park is truly a gem of the world.

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti Facts:

  • The Serengeti plains are 5,695 mi², larger than the state of Connecticut!
  • These plains have the highest concentration of large predators on the planet.
  • The leopard is extremely powerful. Leopards are able to take down and drag an animal more than 50% of its own body weight!
  • Ranking in as the most deadly predator in the world, the African wild dog takes the crown for its astonshing kill rate of over 85%.

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Tours which include a visit to the Serengeti National Park:
SVG Wave

Explore Other Tanzania National Parks