Top 10 Facts about the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

By Harvey Barrison – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti is a massive National Park found in northern Tanzania, Africa. Serengeti means the endless plain in the Maasai language.

It shares its borders with another great National Park, Maasai Mara in Kenya. This park is home to millions of both carnivorous and herbivorous animals.

One of the most popular events that take place in this park is the annual wildebeest migration. This happens between the month of May to July. Millions of wildebeests and zebra’s crossover from the Tanzanian side to the Kenyan side.

There are several protected game reserves within the Serengeti. They are maintained by both the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments.

Let us now look at the top 0 facts about this popular Safari destination in Tanzania.  

1. The Serengeti National Park is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world

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The most popular event in this national park is the wildebeest migration. This happens every year starting from the Ngorongoro Conservancy, within Serengeti, to Maasai Mara in Kenya.

It is a natural phenomenon that sees the wildebeests and zebra move up north in search of greener pastures, literally. It is quite spectacular that it was named as one of the seven wonders of the world.

About 2 million animals take part in this great migration. The most exciting part of the migration is when the animals cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers.

Most of the animals lose their lives at this crossing because of crocodile attacks.   

2. It is one of the oldest National Parks in Africa

This is one of the oldest national parks and UNESCO heritage sites in the world. Although it is old, not much of the park has changed in terms of its ecosystem.

A European explorer named the park in 1892 after visiting. He gave it a Maasai name since they were the occupants of the land for more than 2 centuries.

This park became popular after a book and a movie titled Serengeti Shall Not Die was released. The park has the highest number of lions and other cat species.

3. Serengeti is a UNESCO Heritage site

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The Serengeti National Park is known around the world for its diverse ecosystem and abundant wildlife. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. This protected park is also under IUCN.

4. It is home to more than 1.7 million Wildebeests

There are more than 2 million wildebeests alone in this park. Other animals found here are zebras, gazelles, antelopes, giraffes, lions, elephants and several species of birds.

About 1.6 million wildebeests, 600,000 zebras, and 400,000 gazelles migrate from Tanzania to Kenya every year. This natural event was named as one of the 10 natural wonders of the world.

During that period, millions of tourists visit Kenya and Tanzania to experience this spectacular event.

5. The plains were once home to the Maasai tribe in Tanzania

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The Maasai tribe are known for their pastoralism and large heads of cattle. They lived in the Serengeti plains for more than 2 centuries.

When the first Europeans arrived in Tanzania, they explored the area in 1892. One of the explorers, Stewart Edward White, recorded his exploration in 1913.

The first park was established in 1921and it was expanded in 1929. In 1951, the park was gazetted as a National Park by the government.  

It has remained to be the ancestral home of the Maasai people.

6. Elephants were moved to the Park due to increased human activities

One of the wild animals that created human-wildlife conflict in Serengeti, were the lions. the Maasai people would kill them for attacking their animals and also as a rite of passage.

Elephants were not in Serengeti, but more in Amboseli national park. They were moved to Serengeti after a conflict between them and humans increased.

The elephants invaded farms and destroyed crops and, in some instances, lives were lost. There are about 2,000 elephants in the Serengeti.

Some of the animals that called the Serengeti home like wild dogs are currently extinct. It is believed that they all died of rabies.

7. Environment Activists campaigned against an Expressway through the Park

The Tanzanian government was faced with opposition from local environmental activists in 2010. They had plans to build a commercial highway across the northern section of Serengeti National Park.

This highway was to improve the transportation of both people and goods across the country. The activists were concerned about its negative impact on wildlife.

Another concern was that it would increase poaching as well as disrupt migration routes.

8. There is a Maasai Village in Serengeti National Park

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The land that Serengeti National Park is located belonged to the Maasai. Although they do not live in the protected area, their villages can be found just outside the park.

These villages are open to visitors and tourists. The Maasai showcase their culture and day to day living. They are one of the few tribes in the region that still deeply rooted in their culture.

Visitors get entertained with traditional dances and songs. There are also their traditional beads and clothing available for sale. 

9. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of Serengeti National Park

Ngorongoro Conservancy is home to the volcanic Ngorongoro Crater. It is part of the Serengeti National Park. The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest caldera. 

This conservancy is home to elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos and leopards. It is also home to wildebeests, zebras and antelopes.

It is also common to find the Maasai herders grazing their cattle alongside the herbivores. 

The conservancy was established in 1959 and protects both wildlife and domesticated animals. Extensive archaeological research has been conducted in this conservancy.

The findings showed evidence of human evolution dating back to 4 million years ago.

10. Night Drives at the park are really popular

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One exciting activity to do at this national park is the game drive. They vary from morning game drives, where you get to watch the animals get back from hunting, or in the afternoon or evening when are resting or grazing as well as see the big 5.

Night game drives are more enthralling as you may catch the big cats hunting. You can also see other animals that hide during the day such as bush babies.