Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the most well known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequaled in its natural beauty and scientific value. Within its boundaries are more than 3 million large mammals living in undisturbed freedom on the ‘endless plains,’ as ‘Serengeti’ means in the Maasai language. About 35 species of plain animals can be observed, including the ‘big five’: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. Large herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra begin their spectacular migration from the central plains to the permanent water in the northwest of the park around the beginning of June. Migrating wildebeest form lines up to 40km long; at the tail end of the procession come the crippled and the old. Lion, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs follow, making sure that only the fittest survive while vultures patiently circling overhead wait to scavenge. Other species commonly found in the Serengeti include hippo, giraffe, eland, impala, waterbuck, klipsringer, baboon, monkey, warthog, kongoni and topi. Nearly 500 species of birds have been observed in the park, some of which are Eurasian migrants present from October to April. Crocodiles can also be observed in the rivers traversing the park.