Tanzania has many game reserves and national parks, but for most tourists, the Serengeti, famous for its annual Wildebeest Migration is the most well known safari destination.
African Vacations in the Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is nation's largest national park spanning over 14000 sq kms. It continues into Kenya in the north as the Masaai Mara National Park and to the southeast in Tanzania as the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.
Serengeti means "endless plains" in Masai and it could just as well mean endless wildlife. There are over 200 species of birds and over 35 species of mammals, among them wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, hippopotamus, rhino, antelope and many more.
The Annual Wildebeest Migration
Each year, more than a million wildebeest, zebras and about 200 000 other herbivores begin their great circular migration across the open plains and acacia woodlands of the Serengeti – a sight that is as old as time itself. Huge buffalo and elephant herds follow as well as carrion birds to clean up. Tourists come from across the globe to witness the Annual Wildebeest Migration which is described as the greatest wildlife show on earth!
On Safari in Serengeti - Masai Dance Displays
Stunning safari lodges (some with private land concessions) are dotted all across the Serengeti plains. Most safari trips usually concentrate their game drives in the Seroneraregion which is served by an airport and a few lodging and also camping options.
The Serengeti is historically Masai land. Understanding a bit about the locals and how communities live alongside wild animals, will enrich any safari experience. Most lodges host cultural talks and Masai dance displays.
Accommodation: Tented Suites
Grumeti River Camp in the Western Serengeti offers excellent hippo and crocodile viewing and the Grumeti River crossing during the Great Wildebeest Migration is awesome. Here the accommodation is in tented suites.
Action-packed night game-drives and bush hikes into the Serengeti wilderness are unique in Tanzania and an absolute highlight of an African safari vacation.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Crater, called Africa’s Garden of Eden is rated by many as the most interesting wildlife preserve in the world.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara and is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro Crater which has the largest unbroken caldera in the world, measuring about 20 kilometers (12 miles) across. The encircling rim is 600 meters (2,000 feet) above the crater floor.
Lerai Forest - Excellent Game Viewing
There are 25,000 larger animals within the Crater itself, mostly zebra and wildebeest. This is the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as lion while the spectacular Lerai Forest is one of the best places in Africa to spot leopard. Game viewing here is excellent all year round. Many locations to enjoy exciting African vacations.
Lodges and Camps in Ngorongoro
There are a number of lodges and camps on the rim of the Crater: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Most campers stay at the Simba site.
Besides vehicle safaris to Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and surrounding attractions, visitors can also consider spending part of their African safari vacation taking an unforgettable hiking trek through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Some photographs from Traveljournals.net.
For more articles on African travels:
Gorilla Safari's in West Africa
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