Serengeti comes from the Maasai word "Siring" meaning "Endless Plain". Serengeti stretches for hundreds of kilometers of flat surface land. The ecosystem encompasses the following: Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in the south east, Ikorongo, Grumeti and Maswa Game Reserves in the western parts, the Loliondo Game Control Area in the north east, and in the north by the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania, adjacent to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The ecosystem includes 2 countries: Tanzania and Kenya
Serengeti National Park has many rivers flowing through it, permanent and seasonal, including the Seronera River, Mara River, Grumeti River and Orangi River.
The Serengeti is known for the migration of two million large mammals carving across the plains in a circular trek; their steady instinctive movements tied to the land and grass and rain. Predators; lions, cheetahs, hyenas and leopards are incredibly common sightings on safari in the Serengeti. It covers 14 763sq km.
The Maasai have grazed their cattle on the Serengeti's enormous plains for many years.
Getting to Serengeti
Scheduled and charter flights from Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Mwanza. Drive from Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater.
If you are going on safari to the Serengeti, you'll almost certainly begin in
Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, about 100 miles to the east. This would generally mean that you fly with KLM to Kilimanjaro Airport, 30 miles from Arusha. It's no longer possible to drive from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti and vice versa as the border here is closed.
The road from Arusha to the Serengeti National Park runs past Lake Manyara National park and Ngorongoro before getting to the Serengeti. Flight from Arusha takes around 1 hour.
Serengeti Accommodation
The accommodation in the Serengeti is varied. There are mobile tented camps, beautifully designed lodges that blend in with the surroundings Mbalageti Serengeti Lodge is situated on the Mwamyeni Hill and offers a great view of the Serengeti Plains. The lodge offers a few rooms of standard type. All rooms are beautifully decorated in a modern design for a feeling of comfort and have en suite bathrooms and a small veranda.
Mbalageti Serengeti Lodge Tented Chalets - Sunset or sunrise, each side of the hill accommodates 12 of the 24 luxury tented chalets. With a structure of local rock and wood, these canvas fitted chalets are the perfect way of relaxing after a day of game viewing.
All chalets have a bathroom.
Mbalageti Serengeti Lodge Exclusive Suites - For the special occasion.
Gibbs farm lodge located In Karatu has 20 twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms, set among the gardens. Two of the rooms are linked making them ideal for families. Main facilities consist of a sitting room, reading room, dining room, bar and gift shop, are situated in the old farmhouse. Lunch is buffet style that includes a wide selection of savory pies, vegetable dishes, hot dishes and salads, as well as a few traditional African dishes. Dinner begins at 7:30 every night with a set four-course meal served to your table.
The Serengeti Sopa Lodge was opened in 1992; the lodge can accommodate 170 guests in 79 suites, each room having wall-to-wall carpeting, a private lounge with a mini bar, a bedroom with two queen size beds and ample room for a third, an en-suite bathroom with shaver sockets and a hair dryer, and a private verandah which offers stunning views over the plains of Serengeti.
Serengeti Activities
With its unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing and seeing Africa at its most untamed, the Serengeti offers the beauty of nature. You can also explore the Ngorongoro Crater.
No matter what time you visit the Serengeti you will see thousands of large animals.
Klein's Camp is the only lodge in the Serengeti region to offer night game drives.
The Ngorongoro crater is one of the best places in Africa to spot the endangered and amazing Black Rhino in the natural habitat.
The Great Migration: witness the dramatic migration of millions of ungulates -in their annual and circular quest for survival- as they travel from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, and back again.
Climate
The Serengeti falls into the classic rain pattern of East Africa. Short rains are in November/December, the long and heavier rains in March - May.
Mean monthly maximum temperatures are relatively uniform throughout the year being constant around 27 to 28 degrees. At Ngorongoro Crater the nights can be very chilly due to altitude. Any time other than during the long rains in April and May is a perfect time to be on Safari in Northern Tanzania.
What to wear
On Safari comfortable cotton clothing is fine. During the day, shorts or casual lightweight trousers are ideal, but the nights can get chilly, so do not forget to bring a few warm sweaters. After sunset long sleeves limit the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes. You should also bring a pair of comfortable, closed walking shoes as well as a pair of sandals.
