Serengeti National Park

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ARTICLE ON SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK .

INTRODUCTION:

The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai name meaning �endless plains�, and these rolling distances of short grass plains provide an exceptional landscape for wildlife viewing. The phenomenal National Park - created to preserve the path of the world�s largest intact migration circuit, which covers nearly 15,000 square kilometers, and contiguous with the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, is Tanzania's largest and most famous national park. On its vast, tree less plains are tens of thousand of hoofed animals, constantly on the move in search of fresh grass. One of Serengeti's main attractions is the annual migration of wildebeest herds in search of better grazing.

During the rainy season between December and May the herds are widely scattered over the Southern section of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as these Rivers have few large Rivers and Streams, they dry out quickly when the rains cease. When this happens, the wildebeests concentrates on the few remaining green areas, and form large herds that migrate north and west in search of food, this is dry season which is from July and October, outside the Serengeti and in the Maasai Mara, before they start moving south in anticipation of the rains. Around February, the Calving season, more than 8000 wildebeest calves are born per day, although about 40% of these will die before they are four months old.

The CLIMATE.

The Serengeti's climate is usually warm and dry. The main rainy season is from March to May, with short rains falling from October to November. The amount of rainfall increases from about 508mm on the plains in the lee of the Ngorongoro Highlands to about 1,200mm on the shores of Lake Victoria. All is lush and green after the rains, but a gradual drying up follows which restricts plant growth and encourages the animals to migrate in search of permanent waters. With altitudes ranging from 920 to 1,850 m - higher than most of Europe - mean temperatures vary from 15 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius. It is coldest from June to October, particularly in the evenings.
The HISTORY.
For centuries, the vast wilderness of the Serengeti Plains remained virtually uninhabited but about hundred years ago the nomadic Maasai came down from the north with their cattle. The first European to set foot in the area was the German explorer and naturalist Dr. Oscar Baumann, who passed by as an agent of the German Anti-Slavery Committee on his way to Burundi. He was followed by his compatriots who built Fort Ikoma in the north which was used as an administrative center until it fell to the British in 1917.
The first professional hunters came in 1913. They found the wildlife plentiful, especially the lions, but saw no elephants. Seven years later, an American arrived in a strange new contraption known as a Ford motor-car and news of the wonders of the Serengeti had reached the outside world. Because the hunting of lions made them so scarce (they were considered 'vermin'), it was decided to make a partial Game Reserve in the area in 1921 and a full one in 1929. With the growing awareness of the need for conservation, it was expanded and upgraded to a National Park in 1951. Eight years later the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established in the south-east as a separate unit.

UNIQUE SERENGETI WILDLIFE.
This land is justifiably famous for its huge concentrations of wildlife, especially the big cats, as well as being the stomping ground of the Great Migration, a massive accumulation of 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and 350,000 gazelles stretching their legs over 1,200 miles in an annual race to find enough water and green grass for their survival. Serengeti is famous for its lions, cheetahs, large Giraffe herds, Grant's Gazelles, elands, impalas and warthogs, as well as rich birdlife.
EXPLORING SERENGETI.
The National Park is broadly divided into three distinct areas, the Seronera Valley and Seronera River, the Western Corridor and the Northern Lobo area that extends northwards through the Lamai Wedge to the Maasai Mara.
HEART OF SERENGETI � SERONERA VALLEY.
The greatest proportion of visitors enter the Serengeti through its Southern entrance, the Naabi Hill Gate, which opens onto the Seronera Valley; a vibrant wildlife area at the heart of the Serengeti. This is the region in which the migration commonly stop to calve in march each year, however the Seronera region is characterized by mainly wide open grassy plains and rock kopjes, patched together within a network of rivers that ensure year-round water supplies and keep this region incredibly rich in wildlife throughout the year. All other areas of the Serengeti are more seasonal and much of the time wildlife viewing is dependent on the path of the migration.
The WESTERN CORRIDOR.
This follows the path of the Grumeti River up towards Lake Victoria. This region provides superb wildlife viewing action when the migration crosses the crocodile infested waters of the Grumeti; at this point camps such as the CCA Grumeti River or Kirawira come into their own. It is also possible to arrange mobile camping in this region in order to optimize your location.
The NORTHEN REACHES - Lobo to Wogakuria
The Northern reaches of the Serengeti remain fantastically quiet and unvisited, due to their relative inaccessibility. Previously inaccessible swathes of National Park at Wogakuria, close to the Masai Mara border, have been opened up by flying safari options staying at superb permanent tented camps such as Sayari. This region has been described as ultimate paradise for keen safari buffs.

WHEN TO GO.

Wildlife concentrations in the park are greatest between about December and June, and comparatively low between about July and October . However the park can be visited at any time of the day, if you are primarily interested in wildebeests the best base from about December to April is at one of the camps near Seronera or in the south-eastern part of the park.

The famous crossing of the Grumeti River, which pass through the park's western corridor, usually takes place somewhere between May and July.

LODGES:

1.Grumeti - It is a fabulous Conservation Corporation Camp with all aspects crafted in wood,stone,canvas and steel. The vast double tents were specially designed to create a light and airy atmosphere, and are completed with wooden floorboards, dinky wooden bathrooms and wide hand built beds. Each is set in private surroundings in the Bush and yet just a short walk along pathways lit with fire torches to the dinning room.

2. Klein's � Klein's is situated high on the Kuka Hills in a private concession just beyond the boundaries of the Serengeti, commanding superb views back over it and the plains extending up to Kenya. The further joy of its situation means that Klein's is not beholden to the rules of the park, and thus the maximum of 16 guests at the camp can enjoy night drives and safaris in open-sided vehicles, and also walk in surrounding bush. A standing tradition encourages all guests to climb the small hill behind the camp each evening, and enjoy immaculately prepared sun-downers from the top, although the views from the central dining and bar area are equally impressive.

3. Serengeti Serena - This is a fantastically designed hotel, all constructed in an East African inspired design from local rock and wood. Makonde carvers have shaped and polished and carved seemingly every door handle and rail, and rooms are wonderfully shaped into unusual but superbly comfortable thatched pixie houses that are shaped like mushrooms. These feel very private, with just three extremely spacious and comfortable rooms in each, and most have good, uninterrupted views across the surrounding Serengeti Plains.

4. Serengeti Sopa - This is an older hotel, dating from the late '70s, with all rooms designed to enjoy excellent views. Rooms extend in a double-storey spread to either side of the central communal areas. These are decorated in an intriguingly charismatic style, with an impressive rocky water feature at the center of the reception area, and at least one extraordinarily tall wooden giraffe to greet guests in the dining room.

5. Kirawira Camp - Kirawira is an extraordinarily fine permanent tented camp, elegantly furnished throughout with Victorian antiques (or reproductions!), including studded leather folding wardrobes and polished brass taps and trimmings. The lavishly tented dining area is laid out across dark polished teak floorboards, all covered with rich woven rugs and surrounded by fine writing desks and 1920s safari memorabilia, and its hilltop position gives fabulous views across mile upon mile of the Serengeti bush all around.

6. Ndutu Safari Lodge - This low-key lodge is quietly situated on the warmer banks of Lake Ndutu, and offers a small and charismatic choice for slightly more basic but nonetheless good quality accommodation. It is also excellently placed in the middle of the path of the Great Migration, which surrounds the nearby plains in November and June. Its small, thatched stone rooms are designed in a fairly utilitarian block style, but are well placed in a wild, ground level location with wildlife potentially close at hand and the chance to sit back and enjoy great, silent, uninterrupted sunsets

7. CCA Safari Under Canvas - This is a new departure for CCA - owners of the most luxurious (and expensive) lodges in Tanzania. CCA's Tented Mobile Camps in the Serengeti moves according to the season and the path of the migration. If you want to get very close to the game then this is the way to do it. The tents are enormous and en suite with flush loos

8. Mnemba Island Lodge - CC Africa's Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island just 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean. Surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs, it boasts some of Africa's most wonderful dive sites. Mnemba is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering a privacy and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline.

9. Migration Camp - This charismatic permanent tented camp is set in absolute isolation among wide flat rocks and spreading acacia, above a northern branch of the Grumeti River, and footprints in the mud in front of the tents indicate the nightly grass-mowing activities of local hippopotami. This old wooden-stilted camp has recently been taken over and upgraded by the Halcyon Hotel Group, who have refurbished the accommodation with chunky wooden furniture and wrought iron fittings, and built an elegant outdoor spa bath surrounded by wooden decking.

10. Nomad Tented Camp - The Serengeti Safari Camp is a fully mobile safari camp accommodating a maximum of 8 guests which moves across the vast Serengeti as it shadows the wildebeest migration. The camp is sited in an area that has the greatest concentration of game or good access to that game at the time of the safari with every possible comfort in the depths of the African bush. The flexibility of this camp gives guests the best possible opportunities for gameviewing probably in Africa as a whole. Guests have the freedom of their own private vehicle with the services of a top professional Tanzanian guide.

11. Grumeti Reserves - Sabora Plains Tented Camp is situated on the Serengeti (western corridor) plains, beautifully decorated in grand campaign 1920s style. The six lavish tents are air-conditioned and feature a bedroom and reading area, bathroom with bath and outdoor shower, viewing deck with your own Swarovski spotting scope, and a library lounge tent. The camp also has a dining room, lounge, wide viewing deck, heated plunge pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court, spa and Colonial Trading Post.

12. Sasakwa - Sasakwa Lodge is situated on the top of Sasakwa Hill (western corridor), with awe-inspiring views over the Serengeti plains. The lodge is built in the grand style of an English manor home and comprises seven suites, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms. Each air-conditioned suite features a bedroom, lounge with fireplace, veranda with your own spotting scope, en suite bathroom with bath and shower, dressing area, guest bathroom, heated infinity plunge pool, direct dial telephone facilities and wireless internet access.

13. Faru Faru River Lodge - Faru Faru River Lodge is built on a gently sloping hill, overlooking a waterhole and the Grumeti River. It is built in the style of a classic East African safari camp, with the suites and lodge areas decorated as a throwback to the timeless Colonial era. Each of the six air-conditioned suites feature a picture window and deck, with your own Swarovski spotting scope,
from which you can enjoy the rugged landscape, whilst at the same time, the luxurious comfort of your suite.

Other Lodges includes: Asilia Lodges, Mbalengeti Serengeti � western corridor, Moivaro Lodges and Tents, Serengeti Savannah Camps, Serena Lodges, Serengeti Stopover Tented Camp, Serengeti Tented Camp, Serengeti Sopa Lodges, and Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.

A SAMPLE OF SERENGETI ITINERARY � The Northern Circuit.

Day 1: Arusha
Arusha � you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Air Port and be transfered to a hotel in Arusha , where you will be met with your tour guide and prepare you for the Safari . Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Serengeti National Park
Enter Serengeti, On the way you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa. spend some days exploring Seronera!

Day 3: Serengeti
Game drive, A picnic lunch will be provided. After stopping for your picnic lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping) in Serengeti you will continue further into the park and go on a game drive. Overnight at a Lodge at Serengeti.

Day 4: Serengeti

A full day of game drives around Serengeti. Depending on the time of year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species. Your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals. Overnight at a Lodge at Serengeti.

Day 5: After breakfast depart for Arusha. END OF SERVICE.

For more information on visiting Tanzania contact Wild Things

For more information on visiting Tanzania's mountains contact Mountain Kingdom

About the Author

Frederick Mlaponi is a Tanzanian Student researcher on work experience with Wild Things and MK Safaris in Tanzania http://www.wildthingsafaris.com . http://www.mksafaris.com .

Article Source : ClickEasyArticles.com

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