The Serengeti houses many animals, and your guide will know how to best handle (or better avoid) dangerous situations. But the most magical site you'll behold is The Great Migration, during which White's paradise is drowned by a sea of animals as more than one million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles traverse the Serengeti in search of greener pastures.
To see the herds crossing the Mara River, you’ll need to be in situ in July, August or November.
), and "sielewi" (I don't understand). Tourists may see the Serengeti as a natural playground, but members of the indigenous Masai ethnic group see it as home. And travelers who do not have direct flights from the U.S. or Europe will need to obtain a yellow fever vaccination and present their proof of vaccination when they arrive. This UNESCO World Heritage site, which sprawls across more than 32,000 square miles, is also where more than 25,000 animals and thousands of Masai pastoralists reside. April and May see the most rainfall, and many lodges and camps close for this slower season.
In the unlikely event that you tire of wildlife spotting, you can also take part in a cultural visit to one of the Maasai villages located just outside the park boundaries; or drive south to the archaeological site at Olduvai Gorge. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Though you'll want to make time for all of Ngorongoro Conservation Area's geological and archeological sites, you should consider paying the extra $200 per vehicle fee to visit Ngorongoro Crater, a suggestion of recent travelers. To enter Tanzania, U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and visitor's visa. You have several options to choose from. The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based on analysis of expert and user opinions. Safari guides know how to best navigate the park's dirt roads and how to find the most fascinating wildlife. Located in the north of the country, it partly adjoins the Kenyan border and together with the Masai Mara National Reserve provides the backdrop for the annual Great Migration - considered by many to be the planet’s most impressive natural event. If you want to spot a variety of wildlife, visit between December and June when The Great Migration's animals roam the area. When you tire of gazing at grazers, head to Moru Kopjes to mingle with rhinos or to the Retina Hippo Pool to watch these massive mammals splash about. If you love beaches, wine and historical cities, choose Michigan for your next couples vacation. To enter Serengeti National Park, travelers will be charged $25 each per day visited. It’s also one of the most iconic safari destinations on the African continent. Visas cost $100 and can be obtained either before your trip at a Tanzanian consulate or upon arrival at any point of entry staffed by immigration officials. Protect Your Trip » Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance for the lowest price, "There's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done."
Former visitors were also impressed with Serengeti Balloon Safaris' staff and pilots, who reviewers described as friendly and knowledgeable. before you visit.
This was converted into a full reserve eight years later, and eventually established as the Serengeti National Park in 1951. If you plan on self-driving, you will also need to pay a $40 vehicle fee per day. The best times to visit Serengeti National Park are from January to February or from June through September, although you should plan your trip around the movement of The Great Migration. Those that travel to Serengeti National Park by road will most likely enter through the Naabi Hill Gate in the southeastern section of the park. You’re likely to share the space with overland tour groups, which can be a pro or a con depending on how much you value peace and quiet. For the best wildlife watching, head a couple miles downstream to the Larelemangi salt lick, which earned its name from the salty deposits that hoofed-animals love to lick. The best way to get around Serengeti National Park is by safari. When you think of going on an African safari, odds are you envision seeing lions, elephants and giraffes in wide open plains dotted with acacia trees. Additionally, all five regions of the Serengeti – Northern Serengeti, the Western Corridor, Eastern Serengeti, Central Serengeti and Southern Serengeti – are accessible by air through several regional carriers and nine internal airstrips. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Situated in Central Serengeti about 32 miles northwest of Naabi Hill, Moru Kopjes is home to Serengeti National Park's only black rhino population. Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Africa and offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. The Masai are a semi-nomadic people found in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Amenities are basic, and you’ll need to be entirely self-sufficient, bringing with you your own food, water and cooking equipment. Since 1989, Serengeti Balloon Safaris has helped park visitors take to the skies to spot animals and watch the park's famous Great Migration. And to protect against the region's rays and bugs when wildlife spotting, bring safari essentials like bug spray and sunscreen. Recent visitors enjoyed climbing Naabi Hill to take in stunning Serengeti vistas.
For more information about visas and vaccines, visit the U.S. State Department's website and the CDC's website. If you're spending time in Northern Serengeti, a trip to the Lobo Valley should be at the top of your list.
Catching The Great Migration as it crosses the Grumeti River near the Western Corridor's Kirawira region is a must for avid nature lovers, although those with weaker stomachs may want to steer clear. In 1981, Serengeti National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its incredible ecological importance. Recommended permanent camps include &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp and Kirawira Serena Camp; while top mobile picks include &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas or Scott Dunn’s Serengeti Safari Camp. California Do Not Sell My Personal Information Request. Also, recent travelers recommend bringing a boxed lunch to enjoy picnic-style near the river. Some companies will arrange road transfers from Arusha, while others pick you up from airstrips located within the park.
A lion's roar can reach 114 decibels and travel as far as 5 miles. The main attraction here is the wildlife. More than 50 countries currently allow U.S. citizens to visit, but some restrictions apply. The largest of these is the southern Serengeti plains—an iconic, largely treeless savannah landscape that serves as a breeding ground for the wildebeest and other antelope that congregate here from December to May before beginning their migration northwards. To see The Great Migration from this part of the Serengeti, visit between July and November. Within the boundaries of the Serengeti, you'll hear thousands of animals: Hyenas cackle as elephants trample well-worn safari roads and hippos splash in watering holes. Some former visitors noted that the smell can be somewhat overwhelming – they are animals, after all – but that's hardly a deterrent. This proliferation of prey animals inevitably results in healthy predator numbers. The scenery rustles with the swift steps of loping giraffes, and tree branches shake with every monkey's movement. Entrance fees are typically covered by safari package and travel agent rates. The Lobo Valley is also a more affordable spot to catch a glimpse of this famous migration, thanks to cheaper rates at area accommodations. Read more about.
Many safari operators and mobile camps are dedicated to putting you at the heart of the action; whether that’s watching newborn calves take their first steps in the grasslands of the south, or experiencing the drama of a Mara River crossing. At the top of our bucket list is a sunrise hot air balloon safari—a very expensive and exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with you long after you return home. You'll find cooler weather in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area due to its higher elevation. Some Swahili phrases that may come in handy are "jambo" (hello), "asante sana" (thank you), "Bei gani?" And at any given time, more than 2,000 lions are poised to pounce on unsuspecting prey, preparing to chase their unlucky target through the seemingly endless waves of golden grass. The Western Corridor includes the Grumeti River and its adjacent forests. And at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, three dining venues are available, including an outdoor terrace with pizza and African-inspired tapas and an indoor buffet with various African and international dishes.
Other animals you'll find swimming in the river and drinking from its water include elephants, hippos and monkeys. Once a giant volcano that exploded and collapsed on itself 3 million years ago, Ngorongoro Crater measures 2,000 feet deep and covers 100-plus square miles. These are the only way to see the region’s fascinating nocturnal wildlife. Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, for example, has an eatery that specializes in buffet-style meals with traditional safari and Tanzanian fare, such as locally sourced coffee and tea, nyama choma (grilled meats) and ugali (a maize dish that has a porridge-like consistency). Jessica Macdonald lives in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and has been TripSavvy's Africa Expert since 2016.
These small airstrips are served by charter flights from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. The large amount of prey also draws the highest population of predators. To protect yourself from mosquitos while in the park, bring anti-malarial medication (which can be prescribed by your doctor), wear pants and long-sleeved shirts at night (when mosquitos tend to be more of a nuisance) and bring insect repellent with DEET (a chemical that makes it harder for mosquitos to smell you).
A traditional jeep safari is just one of several wildlife viewing experiences offered by lodges in and around the Serengeti. And to protect against the region's rays and bugs when wildlife spotting, bring safari essentials like bug spray and sunscreen. The gate is a 2.5-hour drive from Ngorongoro Conservation Area and a seven to eight-hour drive from northern Tanzania’s safari capital, Arusha. One shilling equals less than one American penny, but. Visitors flock to this area of the park from May to July when the wildebeest migration passes through; but it’s also a great place to spot waterbirds and other aquatic species all year round. It encompasses Serengeti National Park, a popular destination for African safaris. If you love beaches, wine and historical cities, choose Michigan for your next couples vacation. The park provides a refuge for several species of endangered or critically endangered vulture, and has the highest ostrich population in Africa.
Encompassing vast plains of savannah, rolling hills, and a network of rivers; the Serengeti offers sanctuary to an … Serengeti National Park is home to the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. The valley's river keeps the vegetation plentiful, supporting herbivores throughout the year. Your sleep is bound to be disturbed by the occasional lion roaring, but remember that it probably sounds closer than it is. For more than 200 years, the Serengeti ecosystem provided fertile grazing land for nomadic Maasai tribes. The primary reason to visit Serengeti National Park is to witness The Great Migration. The safari guide collects visitors at 5 a.m. so that the balloons and their passengers can rise alongside the sun. This is also one of the best places to find the park's elusive leopards. The Great Migration is the Serengeti's main draw: This voyage of more than one million wildebeest, zebras and other hoofed animals is one of the world's largest wildlife spectacles. Luxurious hotels and mountainside adventures await couples vacationing in North Carolina.