The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Game Reserve of Maswa, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya are an integral part of Serengeti National Park. Nearly 90,000 tourists throng the Park every year.
Serengeti National Park is spread over an area of 30,000 sq km. The park is home to two biosphere reserves and two sites that have been awarded World Heritage status. The unique ecosystem of the region has inspired writers, film makers, photographers, and scientists.
Serengeti National Park’s ecosystem is the most ancient on planet Earth. During the course of the past few millennia, the flora, fauna, and climate has seldom seen any change. Olduvai Gorge witnessed the arrival of early man nearly two million years ago. Certain features of adaptation and migration are very ancient.
Serengeti National Park is most famous for its migration. Nearly one million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras move from the northern hills to the south every October and November during the short rains. They then move toward the west and north from April to June when the long rains progress. The instinct to migrate is strong. Hence, no drought, gorge, or river infested with crocodiles can prove to be a deterrent.
During the course of their migration, the wildebeest move through a range of reserves, parks, habitats, and conservation sites. Visitors to the park stand a good chance of exploring the various forms of vegetation belonging to the ecosystem of Serengeti. They also have the opportunity to gel with the local inhabitants.
As the wildebeest migrate, it is survival of the fittest. Serengeti National Park is the oldest and most famous national park in Tanzania. It is a world heritage site and is often regarded as the seventh wonder of the world. During the migration, the wildebeest are on a quest for fresh grazing and newer pastures. They are joined by the zebras and Thomson’s gazelle. Besides the annual migration, there are scores of popular species, including buffaloes, elephant, giraffe, topi, eland, kongoni, Grant’s gazelle, and impala.
One of the foremost sights of the national park is that of the predator upon prey. The lions tend to feast on the grazers. Leopards hide in the acacia trees, along the Seronera River, waiting for their prey. The southeastern plains see a large number of cheetahs. The park is home to all three jackal species. The spotted hyena is also famous. There are many elusive predators, ranging from aardwolf to serval cats.
