So, you’ve finally set the budget, dates, booked your trip and you are ready to go on a safari in the Serengeti National Park, but you are still not sure on what to expect during the actual safari. This guide will take you through on what to expect during your Serengeti safari, from the weather, landscape, wildlife, accommodation to game drives.
1. Most of Your Safari Time Will be Spent on Game Drives
A standard safari in Serengeti entails two game drives, i.e. morning and afternoon game drives. On average, each game drive in Serengeti lasts for 3-4 hours.
Usually, you’ll need to wake up at around 5.30 a.m to 6. 30 a.m depending on the location of your lodge. Then take breakfast and head to the safari vehicle for the morning game drive. During lunch break, visitors are driven back to their lodge for lunch. After lunch, you get to chill out around the lodge and head back to the park for the evening game drive. Afterwards, come back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Bush breakfasts and/or dinner can be organized.
Private safaris are flexible and visitors can choose their schedule, including wake-up times and game drives schedule and hours spent on game drives.
Since the animals are roaming freely, sometimes the game drives might be long and roads can be dusty and bumpy or muddy. Night game drives are not allowed within Serengeti National Park but are allowed in some neighboring private conservancies.
When on a safari in Serengeti National Park, you are expected to stay in the safari vehicle, unless you are in designated areas where picnicking is allowed.
2. Mornings in Serengeti Tends to be Chilly and Evenings Windy and Cold
During your safari, you’ll need to get to the park very early in the morning. Morning game drives offer some of the best animal sightings as they return to their hidings after a night of hunting or being busy for other reasons of adaptation. Bring some light warm layers with you to wear during the morning game drives. As the day progresses, it gets warm and sunny. Sunscreen and hats are very essential during day time.
3. Diverse Wildlife
You’ll get to see so many species of animals roaming freely in Serengeti. All the big five animals: African Lions, Leopards, African Cape Buffaloes, African Elephants and Black Rhinoceroses are found here. There are many wild animals to see on a Serengeti safari including Wildebeests, Zebras, Impalas, Elands, Gazelles, Hyenas, Monkeys, Giraffes, Cheetahs and Hippopotamus. For birders, Serengeti is home to both resident and migratory birds.
4. Excellent Game Viewing all Year Round
Whatever time of the year you decide to visit Serengeti, you will be able to see plenty of wildlife. While during the drier months the wildlife congregates near the watering holes and rivers, making it easier to spot most of them within a short radius, you’ll still get to see the animals during the wetter months.
Depending on your safari timing and the area you are visiting, you can also witness the Great Wildebeest Migration at different stages.
5. Safe and Comfortable Accommodation
Depending on your budget and preference, you can get various accommodations in Serengeti during your safari, including lodges, mobile camps and tented camps.
While different accommodation options offer different levels of luxury, wherever you stay, there are measures put in place to ensure guests’ security. There are guards manning the camps and will escort you around the camp and to and from your tent in the evenings and early mornings. Even the budget friendly camps offer basic and comfortable amenities and good food.
6. Endless Photography Opportunities
Serengeti National Park is one of the most scenic parks in Tanzania. Whether you are interested in photographing the big cats, elephants, birds or scenery, you’ll encounter many amazing opportunities daily to shoot in Serengeti wilderness. You can expect to take a ton of photos way more than you had estimated. So, ensure your camera has sufficient storage and bring an extra memory card and battery with you.
7. Varied Landscape and Breathtaking Scenery
Although Serengeti is popular, described as endless plains, it encompasses more than the plains. You can expect to see a variety of landscapes on a Serengeti safari, including the kopjes, hills, rivers, acacia woodlands, valleys and riverine forests. It is important to note the landscape may vary depending on the region(s) of Serengeti you visit.
8. Balloon Safaris
Soaring over the plains of Serengeti will give great views of the park and great photo opportunities. You can expect to spend 45minutes to an hour on your Serengeti balloon safari. The balloon safaris start before sunrise. Inside Serengeti National Park, hot-air balloon safari are launched in four areas, i.e. Northern, Southern, Western and Central Serengeti. It is possible to book a balloon safari in the larger southern plains of Serengeti in Ndutu Region during the calving season of the migratory Wildebeests and Zebras.
9. Cultural Interaction with the Maasai People
Most safari outfitters do organize visits to the local Maasai villages. During this cultural tour, visitors get the opportunity to interact with the Maasai, learn about their culture, traditions and rituals. You’ll get a chance to explore their traditional homesteads (manyattas) and take part in their traditional dances and Moran’s jumping.
10. Stunning Sunrise and Sunset
African savannah offers some greatest sunsets. The sight of the golden sunrays rising and setting on the open plains with wildlife and acacia providing a picturesque backdrop is quite attractive.
During a safari in Serengeti you will be able to enjoy sunsets on your evening game drives. Sometimes, you don’t need even need to leave your lodge you can easily watch the sunset right from your doorstep. Your guides can also organize a sundowner in strategic points in the park to witness the spectacular sunset.
11. Well-maintained Safari Vehicles
Game drive is the most common way of exploring and viewing wildlife in Serengeti. During your game drives in Serengeti National Park, you can expect to venture out in a well maintained closed 4×4 4 safari vehicle, usually a land cruiser or a land rover. Most safari vehicles have pop-up roofs and can accommodate seven people – Our company does allow a maximum of six people in a vehicle, each with a window-seat. All the seats are forward- facing, well-spaced and located next to the windows to maximize your game viewing. Amenities in safari vehicles may differ with different companies.
