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In which country is the Serengeti National Park located? Serengeti National Park (Tanzania). How is the Serengeti National Park Protected?

The Serengeti National Park () is one of the largest reserves in the world. It is located on the territory of the Great African Rift, its area is 14,763 km2. The word "Serengeti" itself is translated from the Maasai language as "endless plains".

What is interesting about the park?

The Serengeti Park "began" with a small reserve with an area of \u200b\u200bonly 3.2 square meters. km in 1921. Later, in 1929, it was somewhat expanded. In 1940, the reserve was recognized as a protected area (however, "protection" was carried out mainly on paper due to certain material difficulties). 10 years later, after another increase in area, it received the status of a National Park, and in 1981 it was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site.

Kenya's Masai Mara is essentially a continuation of the Serengeti. Its ecosystem is considered one of the oldest on our planet. The wildlife of the Serengeti, according to scientists, today looks exactly the same as it looked a million years ago, preserved from the Pleistocene. No other reserve in Africa can be compared with the Serengeti in terms of the number of animal species that live here: there are 35 plain species in the reserve alone! Not surprisingly, the Serengeti attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. The park is considered the best place to observe the life of lions, cheetahs and leopards, as well as giraffes.

The reserve owes its popularity to the president of the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Bernhard Grzimek, who studied animal migrations in the Serengeti and wrote several books about him, which brought the park worldwide fame. The Serengeti is not only a natural reserve, but also an ethnographic one: one of its tasks is to preserve the traditional way of life and culture of the Maasai. For these purposes, it is separated from the Serengeti.

"Cradle of Humanity"

In the Olduvai Gorge located on the territory of the reserve, which is called the "Cradle of Humankind", large-scale excavations were carried out in the period from the 30s to the 60s of the last century, as a result of which bones of homo habitus, the remains of Australopithecus, ancient tools, bones were found. animals. All these exhibits could be seen in, located in the gorge. But today this part of the park is closed to tourists due to the resumption of excavations - scientists quite rightly believe that the access of tourists can cause serious damage to the research.

Flora and fauna of the reserve

The Serengeti National Park has unique climatic conditions and diverse landscapes: in the north there are wooded hills covered mainly with acacia, in the south - high-grass meadows, in the west - real impenetrable forests (the same acacias, ebony and ficuses grow here); and in the center of the park is the savannah.

The fauna of the Serengeti is striking in its diversity. The reserve is home to representatives of the "Big Five" - lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, and besides them - giraffes, goats, zebras, several species of antelopes and gazelles, hyenas and jackals, cheetahs, big-eared foxes, mongooses, porcupines, striders , warthogs. In a word, the animals of the Serengeti represent almost the entire animal world of Africa. More than 2 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles alone live on its territory, and in total there are more than 3 million individuals of large animals. There are also primates here: hussar monkeys, baboons, green monkeys, colobuses.

Serengeti lions live in the savannah in the central part of the Serengeti, in the Seronera Valley. Lions share territory with leopards; thanks to the large population of giraffes, antelopes, warthogs that graze on the local rich pastures, predators do not have to starve.

In the rivers and lakes of the Serengeti, you can see hippos, as well as more than 350 species of reptiles, including crocodiles. Nile crocodiles live in the Grumeti River in the west of the reserve; they are distinguished by surprisingly large sizes - they are much larger than their "brothers" living in other places. Also, the Serengeti Park has become a home and "parking place" for a large number of birds of different species. Here you can see secretary birds, ostriches and waterfowl. Salt Lake Ndutu in the south of the reserve is home to a large number of flamingos. The number of species of feathered inhabitants exceeds 500! Not surprisingly, the reserve is considered a paradise for ornithologists.

Park tours

The Serengeti can be called a safari park: moving around it takes place in cars and buses, and during the trip you can not only from afar, but also closely observe the animals in their natural habitat. Giraffes, for example, come closer with curiosity, lions simply do not react to passing cars - it is quite possible that you will have to go around the family of the "king of beasts" lying right on the road. But the curiosity of baboons can be somewhat obsessive and unpleasant: they sometimes jump into the interior of buses and open car bodies - especially if they see food.

You can fly over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon to watch the Great Migration, when about 200,000 zebras, a million wildebeest and other ungulates move in search of fresh grass. When a dry period sets in in the northern part of the reserve, their path lies to the southern tall-grass plains, where monsoon rains pass at this time, and with the start of the rainy season they go back. The rainy months are March, April, May, October and November. If you want to watch wildebeest, it is best to come to the Serengeti from December to July, and if you are more interested in lions and other predators, then from June to October. Tourists are also attracted by viewing musical rocks, Masai rock art and trips to the volcano Oldo Lengai.

Note to the tourist

If you decide to visit Africa and visit the Serengeti Park, you can fly there by internal transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport. You can also come from the car - the road in this case will take about 5 hours.

Based on the size of the reserve, it is clear that it will not work to see it in one day, and spending a lot of time each time on the road is simply stupid. All the infrastructure necessary for tourists has been created here, including hotels, or rather, holiday camps and lodges. The best are: 5 * Serengeti Serena Louge, Serengeti Pioneer Camp by Elewana, Kirawira Serena Camp, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, as well as Serengeti Tented Camp - Ikoma Bush Camp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Mbalageti Serengeti, Lemala Ewanjan, Serengeti Acacia Camps, Kananga Special Tented Camp, Kenzan Luxury Mobile Camp.

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The Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world. It has the highest concentration of wild animals in Africa: more than two million wildebeests, half a million Thompson's gazelles, a quarter of a million zebras. Thanks to these artiodactyls, every year a unique performance is played out in the open spaces of the park every summer - a great migration.

The name "Serenghetti" in the Masai language means "extended land". The Greater Serengeti includes the Ngorongoro Game Reserve, Maswa Reservation, Masai Maara (in Kenya), Loliondo, Grumeti, Ikorongo and the Serengeti Game Reserve in Tanzania. The territory of the "big" Serenghetti occupies 12,950 sq. km, and is located between Lake Victoria in the west, Lake Eyazi in the south and the Great Reef Valley in the east. Serengeti National Park is located at an altitude of 910 m to 1890 m above sea level. The climate in the park is tropical. Day temperature - 25 - 30°C.

For centuries, the local plains remained uninhabited until the arrival of the Masai tribe. The first European to set foot on this territory was the German explorer Dr. Oskar Abuman, followed by many hunters who heard about how many valuable animals walk the African plains. Hunting became a fashion, a huge number of wild animals were destroyed, an entire ecosystem was in danger. In order to solve this problem, the Serengeti Park was created in 1951. The Serengeti is considered the most interesting and largest park in East Africa.

Serengeti National Park: Fauna.

In fact, all African animals can be found here. The Serengeti surpasses other national parks in Africa in terms of the number of species (about 35 species of lowland animals) and the total number of animals that inhabit it. There are about 3000 lions here alone.

There is also the Big Five - elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and buffalo. Leopards can be observed along the rivers and streams, on the plains - jackals, hyenas, as well as elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, baboons, hippos, crocodiles and numerous herbivores, represented by eland and impala antelopes, waterbucks, redunks, harbingers, Thompson's gazelles and Grant.

More than 500 species of birds live in the park: ostriches, bustards, secretary birds and many small birds.

The most amazing sight is the migration of ungulates, which spend most of the year (8-9 months) in this park against the backdrop of amazingly beautiful nature in the changeable illumination of the great African sun. Herds of wildebeest and zebras (they are the main migrants), followed by predators, and then scavengers - the natural cycle.

Migration is a unique and dramatic natural phenomenon of the few remaining on Earth. Migration can be observed from February to June, when the animals ascend north along the eastern edge, or from September to December, when they again descend south, through the western part of the park.

During the rainy season, which lasts from November to May, herds of wildebeest, zebras and other herbivores migrate in search of fresh pastures to the Masai Mara reserve - a kind of extension of the Serengeti, which is located in southwestern Kenya. During the dry season, the northern short-grass plains turn almost into semi-desert, and this causes a massive migration of herbivores to the regions of the tall-grass steppes, where lush grass is preserved. In search of food, animals overcome about 1000 kilometers, exposing their lives to considerable danger. And after the rains start again, the herds go back.

No one knows exactly what causes the non-stop movement of 1.5 million wildebeest, 600 thousand zebras and about 300 thousand gazelles, huddling in huge herds and overcoming many kilometers, crossing water barriers, where predators lie in wait for them. This movement follows a single schedule and route every year with minor time shifts, but the spectacle and grandeur of a unique natural phenomenon is difficult to describe in words..

Forests in the Serengeti mainly consist of acacias and ficuses, and ebony is also found. Another feature of the park is the granite mountains-remnants of the “mine” (kopje), similar to stone islands, towering among the endless sea of grass. Small stone mounds, whose "age" is up to 3 million years, often surround the places where the park's hotels, lodges or camps are located.

Serengeti is the name of Tanzania's national park, which is included in the rating of the largest national parks on the planet. It is distinguished by its unique nature and extraordinary wildlife.

The national park is located in the northern part of Tanzania (near the Great African Rift). On one side is Lake Victoria, and on the other is Mount Kilimanjaro. In the western part, the reserve resembles a narrow corridor. Its length is about 8 km. On the north side it reaches the Kenyan customs.

Every year, zebras and ungulates move 800 km to find food and water during the hot season. With the onset of spring, zebras and antelopes move west across the Grumeti River. After 1.5-2 months they go north. At this time, the main food for them are green plants. In the last month of summer, herbivores populate the Masai Mara reserve.

And only with the advent of October they return to the Serengeti, but on a different path. In February, a huge number of foals, calves and other animals are born here. Tourists observe the wildlife with the help of hunting trips in jeeps. Here they can see exotic lakes and rivers, plains and savannahs.

Of great interest are the rocks with carved drawings of the Masai tribe. In the park there is the possibility of flying in a hot air balloon. It is recommended to come here in December-March. Most often they visit the southeastern and central part of the savannah, since the village of Seronera and the largest park airfield are located here.

History of the park

The Serengeti (a national park located in East Africa) has been the domain of wild animals for centuries until the Maasai settled here. The tribes came up with the name of this territory. The Serengeti is translated as an area with endless lands.

The reserve is known for its African five, which include buffalo, leopard, giraffe, elephant, lion. The presence of these animals served as an impetus for the influx of tourists from the Old and New Worlds at the beginning of the 20th century. At the end of the 20s. In the 20th century, some territories were classified as hunting reserves, in which hunting for animals was limited.

The Serengeti officially became a reserve only in 1951. B. Grzimek (a German zoologist) made a lot of efforts to leave the flora and fauna of East Africa in its original form. The scientist created the Research Institute in the Serengeti. Here they studied flora and fauna.

Fame for the national park was brought by a book called “The Serengeti Must Not Die” and television series about the reserve (over 35 million Europeans watched them).

Serengeti national park landscape

During heavy rainfall in November-May, zebras and wildebeests take refuge in the grassy area. The end of spring is characterized by the drying of vegetation, so the antelopes go to the water in the northern part of the reserve. Closer to the center of the park, more plants are found in nature. Here is the city of Seronera with the headquarters of the reserve and the Research Institute.

In the north of the Serengeti there are hills and forests where elephants make marks on trees. But zebras and antelopes are almost never found. Colobus (black and white monkeys) live in the forest. There are crocodiles in the waters of the Nile.

The Serengeti (a world-class national park) is known for such landscapes:

meadows that are located in the southern part of the Serengeti;
various forests and plains located in the west;
hilly forests occupying the north of the reserve;
volcanoes located in the southeast;
shrouds (center of the Serengeti).

On either side of the reserve there is a lake, a swamp or a small river. The landscapes of today are significantly different from the original ones.

Problems of the Serengeti National Park

The local population comes to the reserve for animal meat, which brings additional income. Previously, wild animals were rarely hunted. However, today this type of fishing has begun to be used in order to expand the business. Every 12 months, approximately 200,000 wild animals are killed in the national park, which is the main reason for the extinction of many species.

There has also been an increase in the number of elephants that have left their home area due to unwanted human activities. This adversely affected the flora of the Serengeti. Elephants break branches of trees, destroy grass cover. At the beginning of the 90s. In the 20th century, cases of dog distemper became more frequent, due to which a significant number of lions died.

At the same time, domestic dogs became popular. An epidemic of rabies broke out. As a result, wild dogs also died out. In the late 80s. the idea of a protected area survived the reform. Prior to this, people were removed from control over the territory of the reserve. Now the main emphasis is on the importance of preserving the pristine nature and its inhabitants.

It is enshrined at the legislative level that wild animals are the main economic means for the indigenous population.

According to the new development, residents have the right to use the resources of the Serengeti's environment. The authorities expect that the adopted regulation will reduce the level of illegal hunting in the reserve. Today, the area around the national park is considered a buffer area. Here people have the right to dispose of natural resources.

nature reserve

Olduvai Gorge is located near the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve. The length of its territory is about 250 km 2, and the depth is approximately 100 m. The reserve was called the human cradle, since the remains of primitive people were found here more than 2 million years ago. Now in Olduvai, archaeologists are doing research. Therefore, visiting the gorge is temporarily limited.

The nature of the reserve originates in ancient times. It has retained its original appearance from the era that began 2.5 million years ago.

During this period, mammals dominated the Serengeti. Serengeti (a national park with a huge area) consists of boundless valleys with hills on which grass grows. One of the varieties of antelopes (blue wildebeest) also lives outside the park. Pink and small flamingos, as well as zebras, are found near Lake Magadi.

Wildlife of the Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is home to more animals than other reserves.

These include:

giraffes;
zebras;
black rhinos;
wildebeest;
crowned cranes;
warthogs;
hippos;
Thompson's gazelles;
elephants;
African buffaloes.

Most ungulates are a source of food for leopards, lions, cheetahs, hyenas. The reserve has over 16 varieties of small predators, including foxes and jackals. Officially, 350 species of birds live in the park. Red buzzard, Cape tawny owl, ostrich and crested eagle are found here.

The road to the north leads the ungulates across the rivers. Crocodiles lie in wait for moving animals. Wildebeest occupy the habitat of lion prides, which arrange traps for them. Lagging animals run the risk of being eaten by hyenas, cheetahs or leopards. Vultures flock to the remaining parts of the animals. They cannot share the prey, so the animal is gnawed to the bone.

For several decades in a row, scientists have been conducting research in the Serengeti, the subject of which is the behavior of leopards, lions, the ecology of termites and scarabs, and the retention of mongooses on the territory.

Animal migration

The national park is famous for the great migration of animals. Wildebeest and zebra leave the hot area in October-November. They are heading to the southern part of the Serengeti. It is dominated by flat terrain with tropical rains, gales and thunderstorms. The movement from the side looks quite impressive. It is best to view them from a low height.

Serengeti national park in Tanzania. Wildebeest and zebra migration.

After 6 months, these herds come back. Animals are not hindered by drought or predators, for which a favorable period is coming. While moving, they are saturated with prey to the full. Animals during the migration period destroy almost all plants. Some die on the way, others become food for predators. In the same period, offspring are born in antelopes and zebras. Migration is repeated year after year.

Vegetable world

The savanna type of vegetation is favored by the variable humidity in the Serengeti. When heavy rains fall, the plants become emerald green. However, the rest of the time they are like a desert. Near Lake Victoria, grass reaches 3-4 m. In one year, no less organic matter is produced on 10 thousand km2 of savanna than in forests.

Ficuses, commiphores, baobabs, acacias grow here. Sometimes you can see an ebony. Among other things, perennial grasses, cereals, and shrubs grow.

The climate of the Serengeti National Park

The reserve is usually hot and dry. The average temperature for the year is about +21°C, but can reach +25°C. About 550 mm of rain falls in the east, up to 1.2 mm in the west and north. However, moisture evaporates quickly enough, because the air temperature is too high.

The amount of precipitation fluctuates every year (wet months are replaced by dry ones). From May to November, there is practically no precipitation, the earth dries up, and the vegetation dies. The rainy season is in winter-early spring.

Monthly Serengeti weather:

Name of the month	Average temperature during the day	Average temperature at night
January	+29°С	+13.5°С
February	+28°С	+14.5°C
March	+26°С	+15.5°C
April	+27.5°С	+13°C
May	+27.5°С	+14°С
June	+26°С	+14°С
July	+28.5°C	+17°С
August	+27.5°С	+18°С
September	+26°С	+17.5°C
October	+26.5°C	+18°С
November	+26.5°C	+16°С
December	+27.5°С	+14.5°C

Safari in the Serengeti National Park

About 40 thousand tourists come to the Serengeti to participate in hunting trips in East Africa. In Swahili, safari means travel. However, in translation from English, it also means an adventure with viewing animals. Roosevelt, Churchill, Hemingway and some other celebrities visited this area on a safari at the beginning of the 20th century.

In modern conditions, it is impossible to hunt during a safari. Animals can be viewed and photographed. For hunting trips, the Serengeti is a great place. The territory of the reserve is quite large, tourists practically do not see each other. People travel by jeep or on foot with a guide.

There are hotels closer to the north of the park so that tourists can spend the night in comfort. In addition to them, there are camps where it is possible to set up a tent for the night.

There are no permanent residents in the reserve. However, the east is inhabited by the Maasai, while the western territory is densely populated. Over the past few decades, the population of the Serengeti has been increasing. There are more wild animals, so there is not enough land for cattle pasture. Grasslands are rapidly becoming areas for crops.

Miracles in the Serengeti

The list of wonders of the world includes animal migration in Tanzania, which is called a unique and dramatic natural phenomenon. To date, it has not been fully understood why large herds of animals run forward without looking back, overcome rivers and do not pay attention to predators.

This process starts at the same time. Zebras with antelopes move along a single route with small deviations to the side.

Cultural and natural heritage of the park

The Serengeti is a national park with a rich wildlife. At the beginning of its existence, it consisted of a small reserve. The length of its territory was about 3.2 km2 (1921). After 8 years, the boundaries are increased. In 1940, the park was recognized as a territory that must be protected.

However, due to financial difficulties, the concept of protection existed only by documents. The park became a reserve of international level in the early 80s of the twentieth century. It was given the status of a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site.

It can be considered that Kenya's Masai Mara National Park flows smoothly from the Serengeti reserve, the biological system of which is the oldest in the world. Scientists believe that the primordial nature has not changed since its formation. In terms of the number of inhabitants, the Serengeti is not inferior to any African reserve.

Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come to Tanzania to visit this park. Here are the most favorable conditions to watch giraffes, lions, leopards. The reserve belongs to the natural and ethnographic park. Its goal is to preserve the traditions and culture of the Maasai.

The proceeds from tourism are used to maintain the normal state of the Serengeti. It is also financed by some environmental organizations from around the world. The ecological system is regularly monitored.

Rules for visiting the reserve for tourists

General rules for staying in the Serengeti:

It is advisable to walk along tourist routes and paths, since the soil collapses rather quickly.
Waste must be taken with you, nothing can be left in the park. It is best to take a garbage bag for such cases.
Do not harm the environment (do not break tree branches and do not damage the bark).
Do not scare away birds and animals with loud cries, so as not to cause aggression on their part.
Respect the cultural and natural heritage of the Serengeti.
Do not use products that are hazardous to soil and water.

The national park describes East Africa in the best way. To enjoy the wildlife, over 100 thousand travelers go to the Serengeti reserve every year.

Article formatting: Ilchenko Oksana

Video about Serengeti National Park

Video review of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania:

Africa is often associated with different wild animals. Here, the highest density of wildlife, as well as the richest diversity of fauna in comparison with other continents of the Earth.

There are various national parks here. The Serengeti is one of them. By the way, the mainland has the largest number on Earth - 335 pieces. About 100,000 species of insects, 1,100 species of mammals, 3,000 species of fish and 2,600 species of birds have found protection in them. There are also various wildlife sanctuaries, natural parks, national, marine and forest reserves.

The continent is rich in diversity of habitats. The dry savannah plains and tropical rainforests in the Sahara have become a haven for a variety of wildlife. A huge number of fascinating animals live here, some of them are under the threat of extinction. In addition, there is an opinion that this is the place where the first people appeared.

Tanzania

Various national parks are located here. The Serengeti is a famous park that every tourist who wants to explore the real Africa dreams of getting into.

Without a doubt, this place is the most famous treasure trove of wildlife in the whole world. He knows no equal in scientific value and beauty. Africa's Serengeti National Park - the most popular and oldest park in Tanzania - is famous for its annual migrations: more than 6 million pairs of feet trample the plain, while 300,000 gazelles and 200,000 zebras, along with wildebeest, look for fresh food. But in the Serengeti, even without migration, bright herds of huge buffaloes, groups of giraffes and elephants, an incredible amount of swamps, eland, impala, grant and congon gazelles are possible.

Park location

In the region of Tanzania, in which the famous Serengeti Park is located (its map is presented in this article). Its northern neighbor is the Kenyan Masai Mara Reserve, and in the southeast it borders on Ngorongoro.

A bit of history

These lands remained absolutely wild for a long time. But about a hundred years ago, the Maasai came to this place - northern nomadic tribes who had domesticated cattle.

The first European came to the Serengeti region in 1891 - Oscar Bauman (German), who was an explorer and naturalist. Here, in 1913, the first hunters began their activities. For several years, the process of forming the territory of the reserve took place in this place, which became the basis for the current national park, which it became in 1951. This action was facilitated by an understanding of the need to preserve African wildlife, as frequent hunting could lead to a rapid decline in the number of lions, which at one time were considered pests.

After 8 years, a reserve was allocated from the Serengeti, which was named Ngorongoro.

In 2009, at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the park, scientists reported that these unique lands must be protected from the frequent arrivals of foreigners, due to which tourism is now actively developing in Africa. To do this, they proposed to limit access to national parks. The Serengeti is not one of them. But travelers today cannot get to Olduvai Gorge, where traces of ancient people are currently being explored. This was done for the purity of research and the safety of all findings.

Name of the park

The name of this area means "extended area". Here the climate is specific, which contributes to the riot of all forms of life. It also affects the way of life of the inhabitants of the area.

Climate

In general, the Serengeti is warm and dry, although there is also a rainy season. Here it is in the spring. Precipitation is also possible in mid-autumn, but it is already much less.

Landscapes in the rainy season are full of flowers and greenery, while the rest of the time, drought gradually sets in. At this time, the inhabitants of the National Park begin to migrate in order to find water to save life.

The air temperature here does not fluctuate much - around 15-25˚С. In the Serengeti, the coolest period is June-October, especially in the evening.

Landscape

The Serengeti National Park also has different landscapes:

center - savannas;
south - meadows;
west - numerous plains and forests;
southeast - volcanoes;
north - forests with hills.

In each part you can find a small river, swamp or lake.

Modern landscapes are very far from the original ones that were here once upon a time, when the general appearance of the earth's surface was shaped by the activity of volcanoes. Then a lot of time passed, the elements acted on the earth, thus creating the current image, which can be appreciated by looking at the photo of the Serengeti.

Animals

Special conditions make it possible to develop different types of fauna and flora, which are dispersed in national parks. The Serengeti represents the largest population of its inhabitants:

Here among the animals there are:

Thompson's gazelles (more than 0.5 million);
(about 2 million);
zebras (more than 0.25 million);
elephants;
giraffes;
rhinos;
baboons;
porcupines and others.

You can meet other predators:

Famous birds of Africa:

vultures;
flamingos;
storks;
ostriches.

There are also reptiles:

Animal migration

Travelers to the Serengeti are attracted by several fragments from the life of wild inhabitants, the main of which is considered the great migration of ungulates, to be more precise, the wildebeest and zebras. Millions of herds of these animals rush through the picturesque and endless areas of the Serengeti.

They are followed by those who do not miss any suitable moment for a fruitful hunt. Scavengers are already rushing after them, which are an obligatory link in the food chain of these places.

Similar migration in the National Park takes place during February-June. Herds at this time move in a northerly direction, while moving along the eastern part. In September, they head back, and get to December to the south through the western lands.

The rainy period forces herbivores to move to the Masai Mara - fresh pastures are located there. If there is no rain, then the plains in the north become almost deserts. And this happens all the time - the inhabitants of the Serengeti Park (Africa) chase great distances for food, all the while risking their lives.

Conditions for tourists

The national park has all the conditions for a comfortable pastime for tourists. A large number of hotels, campsites and campgrounds provide a comfortable stay for visitors. On the territory of the park there are restaurants where you can have a tasty, satisfying and inexpensive meal. The best time to visit this park is during the dry season. Then tourists can see with their own eyes how the life of predators proceeds. During the wet season it is possible to see how herds of ungulates migrate.

It is worth noting that a visit to the Serengeti will not leave anyone indifferent and will provide even the most sophisticated tourists with emotions for a long time.

We will talk about the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania - the most beautiful natural reserve in Tanzania with a variety of unique fauna and unusual flora, which is the oldest ecosystem on the planet.

Serengeti- a national natural park in Tanzania in the southeast of the African continent. This park is one of the largest in the world, its total area is about 15,000 square meters. km.

History of the Serengeti Park

The name of the park is translated from the language of the local Masai tribe means "endless land". The territory of the park is a plateau at the foot of mountains and volcanoes, rising above sea level at an altitude of 900 to 1800 meters. The surface of the plateau was formed by ash particles from erupting volcanoes, which explains the small number of trees growing here.

For a long time, the current territory of the Serengeti Park was not inhabited by people, until the Maasai nomad tribes came here at the end of the 19th century. The first Europeans appeared in these places in 1891. By the 20s of the 20th century, hunters from and began to come here en masse. In the same period, a reserve was created in a small part of the park in order to limit hunting, which in 1951 was significantly expanded and received the status of a national park.

A very large contribution to the preservation and popularization of the park was made by German zoologists Bernhard And Mikael Grzimeki. When, despite the status of the reserve, the number of animals in the park began to rapidly decrease for various reasons, they carried out an enormous amount of work to save the Serengeti, they created an institute for the study of local nature, wrote a book and made a film about the Serengeti. Thanks to this work, the world community learned about the problem of the reserve, which almost immediately was given the status of a national park.

The main attractions of the park

Serengeti is popular primarily due to a great variety of animals and birds inhabiting its territory. Judge for yourself - the world's largest population of ungulates in the park has more than three million heads, and the number of species of birds living here exceeds five hundred. Moreover, some species of animals and birds can be found only here, in other parts of the world you will not find them anywhere else. Of particular interest is the period of animal migration to the west during the drought (October-November) and to the north during the tropical rainy season (April-June), during which the animals make a massive transition up to 3000 km long. For some animals - wildebeest, gazelles and zebras - migration is associated with a deadly risk - predators like lions, cheetahs or crocodiles hunt in the park.

At the end of the twentieth century in the territory Serengeti park near the Olduvai Gorge, remains and traces of the vital activity of ancient people were found. This part of the park is now closed to the public in order to avoid uncontrolled access of tourists, interfering with the research of archaeologists.

The geographical position of the Serengeti National Park is interesting:

in the north it borders the Masai Mara in Kenya;
in the northwestern on the side of the park is Lake Victoria (Nyanza);
in the north-east there is another national park - Kilimanjaro - with the highest point 5895 m high;
in the southeast The park merges into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Things to do in the Serengeti

Tour or ride in the park can be purchased in Seronera Village at one of several local travel agencies or directly at the hotel where you are staying. Tours lasting from 3 to 8 days, including the cost of hotel accommodation, will cost approximately 800 to 2000 US dollars per person.

Classic fun in the Serengeti National Park in - jeep safari across its territory. Here, tourists will be able to see the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, unique in their exoticism, the picturesque landscapes of the African savannah, and observe the wildlife living here from a close distance. The pictures of mass movements of some species of animals are very impressive. Hunting during the safari is strictly prohibited.
If you are not a timid one, you can go to hot air balloon ride. Unusually beautiful bird's-eye views await you. Such an air tour can be arranged through a hotel or agency in Seronera (price - up to $ 500).
Exotic lovers will love excursion to the settlement of the Masai tribe, where you can see the nuances of the life and life of local aborigines.

The most suitable period for visiting the Serengeti reserve in Africa is traditionally considered winter - from December to March.

How to get to the Serengeti Valley, prices, opening hours

The largest in the park aerodrome is located in the village of Seronera in the central and most visited part of the park. A flight here from Arusha, a major city in the north of the country, takes just over an hour and costs about $180. Flights are carried out daily. There are also airfields in the southern (South Serengeti) and northern (Kogatende) parts of the park, but the flight there is longer in time and will cost more (200 and 260 US dollars, respectively).
To get to the Seronera by car, you need to leave Arusha along the highway in the direction of Lake Victoria, the distance is about 250 km.

Entrance to the park is paid: for adults - 50 US dollars, for children from 5 to 16 years old - 10 US dollars, for children under 5 years old - free of charge. The pass is carried out through the main gate of Nabi Hill Park until 18.00, movement through the park after 19.00 is prohibited.

You can drive to the Seronera and by bus by Arusha-Mwanzu or Arusha-Musoma.

By the way, in the village of Seronera is located office And park research institute, as well as an information center for tourists (opening hours - from 8.00 to 17.00).

The park is open every day of the week.

Video - Serengeti National Park

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the famous African Serengeti National Park is a completely unique natural ecosystem, so far almost untouched by human influence. It is the site of colossal annual animal migrations, where hundreds of thousands of zebras, antelopes and other herbivores invariably follow the same circle each year. Enjoy watching!

How is the Serengeti National Park Protected?

The Serengeti Reserve is included in UNESCO in 1981 on the World Natural Heritage List. The life of the park is supported by income from tourism, as well as several conservation organizations from different parts of the world. Here, the current state of the ecosystem is constantly monitored, populations of animal species and the level of their reproduction are studied. Many people in the world today know what it is and where the Serengeti National Park is located. They know because the popularity and grandeur of these charming places has long crossed the borders of the African continent and spread throughout the world. It is definitely worth coming here at least once in your life. What do you think?