10 COOLEST Things To Do In The Serengeti
The Serengeti / Image: Ryan al Bishri
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the world’s most famous parks and attracts a staggering number of travellers each year. It’s the ultimate destination for Safaris. The Serengeti boasts a plethora of wild animal sightings including lion, elephant, leopard, cheetah and rhino but also a wide variety of other species like crocodile, reptiles, bird species and more. Its crowning glory is the Great Migration which sets it apart from other national parks.
Going on Safari in the Serengeti offers boundless opportunities. From sleeping under the stars, luxury camping, hot air ballooning, sunset safari game drives, breakfasts al fresco, horseback safaris and countless ways to learn about the conservation of wildlife.
If you are thinking of traveling to this sensational park then you will not be disappointed. It’s urged to spend at least 5 days covering the whole park and the experience will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. It’s no wonder that the Serengeti precedes its reputation as a wildlife haven. It’s the world’s most beloved and recognisable national park and there is so much to do than just game drives. Here we give you the 10 COOLEST Things To Do In The Serengeti….
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The Serengeti / Image: Dawn W
1 Hot Air Balloon Across The Serengeti
One of the most exciting and memorable things to do in the Serengeti is to Hot Air Balloon across the Serengeti plains and watch the wildlife in action. It’s a magical experience to view the Serengeti from above the treetops. If you go in the right months - you’ll be able to view the Serengeti Migration too, which will be breath-taking from the view of a hot air balloon.
Hot air ballooning allows you to soar several hundred feet above the serengeti plains at sunrise or at sunset which are both beautiful experiences. Either way, you’re guaranteed a completely unique view of the Serengeti, from lush forests, desert plains, crocodile infested rivers and spotting its magnificent individual inhabitants. Most hot air balloons offer a celebratory champagne meal to soak up the amazing feeling that you have just experienced. If you’re going on Safari to celebrate your birthday or anniversary, or have ‘hot air ballooning’ on your bucket list - this is the place to do it!
2 Watch The Great Migration
The Serengeti Migration, otherwise known as the Great Migration is considered to be one of Nature’s wondrous spectacles and the No. 1 attraction in all of Tanzania!
The Great Migration is essential to see whilst in the Serengeti. The annual Serengeti migration is nothing short of incredible. Seeing the animals come to life in full volume is a sight to behold. A mere 2 million wildebeest follow the rains on their death-defying 1900 mile journey across the Serengeti plains.
These Serengeti animals migrate in search of fresh grazing lands and water. The smell of rain and the sound of thunder spur the migration forward. However, sometimes it can spur them sideways and even backwards. The serengeti animals that migrate are large numbers of Zebra, Gazelles, Thompson Gazelles, Eland, Impala and of course Wildebeest. Along their precarious journey, many of these animals become prey to predators including the Serengeti lions, cheetahs, crocodiles and hyena’s.
The serengeti migration is not a one-day event but takes place over a period of time. Get in touch with one of our travel specialists and ask us more about the best time to visit the Serengeti.
The Serengeti / Image: Dawn W
3 Experience the wildlife at night
Night time game drives are not allowed within the Tanzania National Parks which includes the Serengeti. Don’t despair as It is possible to take a night time game drive in the neighbouring parks. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay within the Serengeti - taking a sunset game drive is just as good and an experience you won’t want to miss!
The Serengeti National Park is extremely vast and to be able to cover the region within a couple of days is ambitious. If you are able to fit in an evening sunset game drive it will allow you extra time to enjoy the park and offer you a truly magical experience to enjoy the wildlife at dusk.
Whether you venture out of the park or stay within it - at the fall of dusk you will get to encounter a unique experience from the Serengeti animals and perhaps even witness an evening kill from the Serengeti lions. Setting out in the evening in search of nocturnal predators and other brilliant wildlife will be a feast for your eyes. These game drives not only allow for amazing scenery, but combine it with sipping on a sundowner and watching the wild animals and birds come to life in the sun drenched evening sky is a memory that will last forever.
4 Horse Back Ride across The Serengeti
A horseback safari has to be one of the coolest things to do in the Serengeti! Riding across the plains without protection gives you a chance to get an extraordinary view of the wild animals which makes for an extraordinary experience.
The Serengeti / Image: Doruk Yemenici
The best place to ride in the Serengeti is through the Maasai territory. This particular area is where nomadic tribes have been herding for many years. Riding horseback here gives you unprecedented sightings of the serengeti migration too. Gazelles, impala, waterbuck, eland and wildebeest are some of the Serengeti animals you will see here. In fact, riding horseback allows you to immerse yourself into the wildlife and feel really connected to it. Bird life surrounds you as well as the Serengeti’s biggest bird - the ostrich!
If you’re horseback riding towards dusk, nocturnal predators like Hyena, leopard and lion can be heard in the distance which make for a spine-tingling experience. A horseback safari is truly sensational. If you get the chance to experience it - jump to the front of the line!
5 Visit the Grumeti River
The Grumeti River is one of the most famous spots to watch the Serengeti animals cross during the Great Migration. However the river is infested with Nile crocodiles which makes for captivating viewing to see the herds escape from their hungry jaws - its survival of the fittest to which animals make it across. Outside of the Serengeti migration - The Grumeti River is still popular to visit as it attracts many animals to come and sip on the water. This spot still remains one of the most sought-after coolest things to see in the Serengeti.
The Grumeti River is situated within the tremendous wildlife action of the Serengeti migration. Set in a rich emerald forest, the Grumeti River is also home to playful hippos and the only place in the country where the thumbless colobus monkey is found.
The Serengeti / Image: Paola Blaskovic
6 Do a Nature Walk
Nature walks are one of the coolest ways to discover the Serengeti and one that is very unique to being enclosed in a 4x4. What’s great about a nature walk is that it allows you to meet the smaller serengeti animals and reptiles that usually get ignored when on a big game drive. African birds, reptiles and insects are extremely interesting and diverse here in the Serengeti. Nature walks also give you a chance to learn about local plant life and foliage too.
If you decide to do a nature walk - make sure to not go alone. It’s important to go with an armed ranger or guide who is experienced in the field.
On our African Lion Safari, our guided nature walk is full of spoor tracking, discovery of reptiles and insects and exciting information about the different species in the park.
The Serengeti / Image: Geran de Klerk
7 See the Moru Kopjes
Across the Serengeti region of Seronera lies miniature mountains that look like towering stones which are known as Kopjes. These famous stones inspired ‘The Lion King’s Pride Rock’ and attracts many of the Serengeti animals! The lions stretch out on them whilst soaking up the sun and watching their prey from a height. The Moru Kopjes are a distinctive feature in the Serengeti. If you are out on your game drive - be sure to visit these rock formations and maybe catch a glimpse of a Serengeti lion whilst you’re there.
What’s cool about these massive rock formations is that they also provide small pools of water, shade and a great vantage point for hunters like cheetahs, lions and leopards.
The Moru Kopjes are some of the most adorned with paintings by cattle herding Maasai. Visiting the Kopjes are well worth it as you can get particularly close and are a great place to spot the serengeti lions as well as smaller mammals too. The Black Rhino also loves the Kopjes and it is here that is one of the best spots to see them.
Although unbelievable as it is - it is possible to overnight in structured tented camps built in the shadows of the Kopjes. Give our travel advisors a call to find out more.
The Serengeti / Image: Magdalena Kula Manchee
8 Sleep under the stars in a luxury camp
Sleeping under the stars is probably one of the coolest experiences you will get to encounter in life, let alone in the Serengeti! If you have the opportunity to sleep under the stars in one of the Serengeti’s prime luxury camps - then don’t hesitate! Falling asleep to the sounds of the african wilderness is a magical experience.
Star spotting and listening to the crickets chirping, Hyena’s laughing, the distant roars of the Serengeti lion and the different varieties of monkeys waking you up at sunrise can be an incredible part of the Serengeti safari experience.
Camps across the Serengeti have something for everyone. From luxury camps, to architecturally stunning tree houses, rustic camping tents to four poster beds - whatever your budget, it’s easily achieved here. Camping can also be a great way to conserve your budget on safari. Although make sure you don’t camp during the rainy season! Ask one of our travel advisors when the best time to travel to the Serengeti is.
The Serengeti / Image: Jan Canty
9 Meet the Masai Tribe
If you’re traveling to the Serengeti - then it’s absolutely essential to meet the legendary semi-nomadic Maasai people. The Maasai people have a long history with the Serengeti Plains and ecosystem. They are also Africa’s most renowned tribe because their villages are close to many of the popular game reserves. You will spot the Maasai tribe because of their vibrant attire and traditional practices. The Maasai tribe are extremely kind and unique people. They also open their villages to visitors and offer a chance for travellers to learn about the Maasai way of life from traditions, customs and lifestyle.
A visit to meet the tribe and to learn more about their way of life can be extremely interesting. A typical visit will include meeting the tribe, looking inside one of their homes (otherwise known as Boma’s), visiting a local school, witnessing a short dance ceremony and buying some hand made traditional handicrafts which is an important source of income for the Maasai people. To make sure your visit is authentic, rather than staged or choreographed - get in touch with one of our experienced travel experts.
10 Visit the Olduvai Gorge
The Olduvai Gorge lies in the eastern part of the Serengeti Plains and is an important paleoanthropological location where human fossils and ancient tools dating back more than two million years were discovered by famous anthropologist Louis Leakey in 1929. This discovery is a valuable part of understanding human evolution. Within the gorge, 60 fossil remains of human ancestors were discovered. The gorge is located in the Great Rift Valley (one of the locations we visit on our African Lion Safari) and is spanning 48 km in length. It’s also not far from another significant archaeological point called Laetoli where volcanic ash has preserved ancient human footprints. Olduvai Gorge is a great place to stop if you’re travelling from the Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti.
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African Lion Safari / Image: Sean Stratton
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