Serengeti National Park is a large national park in Tanzania with an area of 14,763 sq. km. The park is located some 320 km to the northwest of Arusha, lying in a high plateau between the Ngorongoro highlands, Kenya and Tanzania borders and extending almost to Lake Victoria to the west. Declared a protected area in 1921 and gazetted as a national park in 1951, Serengeti is the oldest national park in Tanzania and undoubtedly one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Aptly named “endless plains” by the Maasai people, you immediately experience this vastness as you enter the southeastern plains of the park from Ngorongoro. It can easily be accessed by Scheduled and charter flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara and Mwanza or driving from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire or Ngorongoro Crater.
There is a variety of scenery, which includes the plains, lakes, hills and the rocky outcrops called kopjes. Hot air balloon safaris, Maasai rock paintings, musical rocks and visit neighboring attractions; Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Oldonyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron’s flamingos. From December, when the long rains start to May, eastern Serengeti plains provide the best opportunities for game viewing as a half million white bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 250,000 zebra of the migratory animals are concentrated in this part attracted by the short palatable grass; therefore the best time to follow the wildebeest migration, December-July and seeing predators, June-October, sometimes the route and timing of the wildebeest migration is unpredictable. Allow at least three days to be assured of seeing them on your visit – longer if you want to see the main predators as well.