Game Drive Safaris in Serengeti National Park of Tanzania
Some of the popular parks include the Serengeti National Park; which is situated in northern Tanzania. Famous for its flatness, wildlife, and migration, Serengeti is perhaps one of the most well-known game reserves in Africa and worldwide. It is a world heritage site and a famous park that lies over an area of about 14,750 square kilometers and attracts wildlife lovers. Below are the likely encounters when going for a game drive in the Serengeti National Park.
Overview of Serengeti National Park
Geography and Ecosystem
Serengeti National Park belongs to the large ecosystem of the East African Savannah biome and it has features that include; predominantly flat-topped grasslands known as the Savannah, occasional outcropping rocks which are known as kopje, thick growth of vegetation covering the river banks, and lastly the woodland. The park is divided into three main regions: Three major regions of Tanzania namely: the Southern/Central Serengeti (Seronera), Western Corridor, and the Northern Serengeti.
– Southern/Central Serengeti (Seronera): Stretching from the southern side of the Serengeti to the western region, this region is characterized by savannah such a plain vegetation dominated by high populations of wildlife .
– Western Corridor: This area celebrates the Grumeti River and the woodlands and is well-known for the extreme river-crossing proesser of the Great Migration.
– Northern Serengeti: This is the county that features the Mara Hills as well as the Mara River with the area giving excellent wildlife viewing and river crossing during migration.
Wildlife
Serengeti National Park is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including Serengeti National Park is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including:
– Mammals: Large predator cats: lions, leopards, cheetahs, large herbivores: elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, bovines: buffaloes with smaller animals such as hyenas and different species of antelopes.
– Birds: More than 500 bird species; ostriches; kori bustards; secretary bird; and various birds of prey.
Game Drive Experience
Morning and Evening Drives
Serengeti National Park game drives are most effective in the morning and in the evening because animals are most likely to be sighted during this period. This departure is early in the morning, immediately after sunrise so one can see the versatile movements of different animals. Another prospect is to have an evening driving walk as a way of getting a view of the sun setting and the animals that come out for the night.
Central Serengeti (Seronera)
Seronera region is the newest and the most frequented of the regions of the park seeing that it provides numerous sighting of wildlife throughout the year. Due to the differences in the terrain these rangers the open plains, kopjes, and riverine forests; there are a variety of animals. This area is one of the best for spotting big cats such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs or any other large carnivores for that matter.
Western Corridor
It includes the Western Corridor region which extends to the shores of Lake Victoria and is well known for the river Grumeti and the great migration spectacle of crossing the river. The dense woodlands also have something to offer for elephants, and giraffes, and different kinds of antelopes.
Northern Serengeti
Northern Serengeti – beautiful geography and the famous Mara River where clashes during the Great Migration happens. This area does not have as much human interference as the central part and it has fairly good opportunities to see lots of big game including wildebeest crossing the river. Some of the wild animals found are lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Highlights of a Game Drive Safari
The Great Migration
Great migration is one of the greatest phenomena of migration of wildlife all over the world. Over 1. Crossing several rivers for instance the Kusu Kope and taringiting in the month of May allow five million wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and gazelles to move in a circular fashion through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara ecosystems. This is due to the strain of looking for pastures and water that are fresh Shore et al, 2008. The best times to witness the migration in the Serengeti are: The best times to witness the migration in the Serengeti are:
– December to March: Birth Giving: the southern Serengeti calving period.
– April to June: The political leaning towards the Western Corridor.
– July to October: Crossing of river in northern Serengeti.
Big Cats
Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National park is famous for housing the biggest cat population. Eagles are also common throughout the park and lions, leopards and cheetahs has also been sighted severally. Seronera area stands out as the dominant area that hosts lion prides and leopards more often than the other regions of the park. Any game viewing session is incomplete if it does not include watching these big cats moving around in their natural environment.
Kopjes and Their Inhabitants
Kopjes are rocks that rises from the surface of the ground and are common occurrence in the Serengeti ecosystem. They afford protection and positions in which different species can make themselves comfortable. Kopjes benefit lions and leopards in that these animals shall often take time to rest within the kopjes while they also use the same to look for their prey. Among them the Moru Kopjes, which are located in the central Serengeti, are quite famous and present great photographic prospects.
Rich Birdlife
Strange, but true, bird lovers will love the place; Serengeti Nation Park indeed offers most of the species and breeds of birds one is likely to find anywhere. The park habitat is a home for more than 500 species of birds and this would explain why so many people would be interested in the park. Some of the notable aspects observed include the frequently spotted; ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird, and a number of birds of prey. Like any other game, bird watching can also be done during game drives as well as special bird watching trips.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Serengeti National Park for game drives depends on what you want to see:The best time to visit Serengeti National Park for game drives depends on what you want to see:
– December to March: The southern plains are appropriate for the calving season within the context of great migration.
– April to June: It depicted that the migration shifted to the Western Corridor.
– July to October: The north is famous for the river crossings usually at the Mara River.
It could be visited at any time of the year but the best time is from June to October considered to be the dry season.
Accommodation
There are various options of accommodation in the park that include budget accommodation to luxury accommodation. These consist of luxury lodges followed by tented camps and then campsites that are relatively cheaper. Most of the lodges and camps are situated in such a way that they give clients a clear view and close range to view the games.
What to Bring
– Binoculars: Vital in identifying animals from a distance and are vital screens even from predators.
– Camera: For the purpose of capturing the great features of wildlife and the geography.
– Sunscreen and Hat: As a measure of protection against the scourging sun especially while on the game viewing trips.
– Insect Repellent: To repel or protect the insects, particularly when it comes to mosquito.
– Comfortable Clothing: Comfortable, loose and unrestricted clothing during the day and warm clothes for early morning chills and night time drives.
– Water and Snacks: To be able to water up and be energetic throughout your safari adventure.
Conclusion
The destination and attraction of a game drive safari in Serengeti National Park is rewarding with beautiful sceneries and varieties of wildlife to see. Everything ranging from the great migration, wild animals such as elephants and buffaloes, wild cats and birds are found in this park making it offer diverse experience when going on a safari. To make the most of your vacation try the hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, and cultural and birding tours which will enable you to explore and absorb the beauty and the culture of this beautiful area.
