Serengeti National Park Facts : A vast national park in northern Tanzania, Africa is called Serengeti National Park. The Maasai term “Serengeti” refers to the boundless plain. Its boundaries are shared with Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park, another outstanding park. Millions of herbivorous and carnivorous creatures can be found in this park. The yearly migration of wildebeest is one of the park’s most well-liked safari activity. This occurs in the months of May through July. Millions of wildebeests and zebra’s crossover from the Tanzanian side to the Kenyan side. The Serengeti is home to multiple protected game reserves. They are maintained by both the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments.
- The Serengeti National Park is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The most significant event in this national park is the wildebeest migration. From the Ngorongoro Conservancy in the Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya, this occurs annually.
The zebra and wildebeests migrate northward as a natural phenomenon in quest of, well, greener pastures. It’s really amazing that it was included on the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. Approximately two million animals participate in this massive migration. The animals’ crossing of the Grumeti and Mara rivers is the most thrilling portion of the trek.
Most of the animals lose their lives at this crossing because of crocodile attacks, lions and many other predators.
- It is one of the oldest National Parks in Africa.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of the world’s oldest national parks. Although it is old, not much of the park has changed in terms of its ecosystem. A European explorer named the park in 1892 after visiting. Since the Maasai people had lived on the territory for more than 200 years, he gave it their name. The publication of the book Serengeti Shall Not Die and the accompanying film helped this park gain popularity. There are more lions and other cat species in the park than everywhere else.
- Serengeti is a UNESCO Heritage site.
The world over, Serengeti National Park is renowned for its rich wildlife and varied habitat. Since 1979, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The IUCN oversees this protected area as well.
- It is home to more than 1.7 million Wildebeests.
In one park alone, there are around two million wildebeests. Zebras, gazelles, antelopes, giraffes, lions, elephants, and a variety of bird species can also be seen in the vicinity. Every year, over 400,000 gazelles, 600,000 zebras, and 1.6 million wildebeests travel from Tanzania to Kenya. This occurrence of nature has been recognized as one of the world’s ten natural wonders that should be explored on the safari. Millions of people travel to Kenya and Tanzania during that time to witness this amazing event.
- The plains were once home to the Maasai tribe in Tanzania.
The pastoralism and enormous cattle herds of the Maasai tribe are well-known. For over two millennia, they resided in the prairies of the Serengeti. In 1892, the first European settlers in Tanzania conducted explorations. Stewart Edward White, one of the explorers, documented his travels in 1913. The first park was established in 1921, and in 1929 it underwent expansion. The government designated the park as a National Park in 1951. The Maasai people still consider it to be their ancestral home.
- Elephants were moved to the Park due to increased human activities.
Lions were among the wild creatures in the Serengeti that caused conflict between humans and other species. As a rite of passage and in response to them harming their animals, the Maasai people would kill them. There were more elephants in Amboseli National Park than in the Serengeti. They were relocated to the Serengeti when hostilities with humans worsened. The elephants broke into farms, destroying crops and sometimes even taking lives. In the Serengeti, there are roughly two thousand elephants. Some of the animals that called the Serengeti home like wild dogs are currently extinct. They are thought to have all perished from rabies.
- Environment Activists campaigned against an Expressway through the Park.
In 2010, local environmental activists experienced resistance from the Tanzanian government. They intended to construct a commercial motorway that would pass the Serengeti National Park’s northern region. The purpose of this route was to facilitate better national movement of both persons and products. The activists were worried about how it would harm animals. There was also fear that it might impede migration routes and lead to an upsurge in poaching.
- There is a Maasai Village in Serengeti National Park.
The Maasai people once inhabited the area that is now Serengeti National Park. Though their towns are located just beyond the park, they do not reside in the protected area.
Tourists and visitors are welcome to these villages on the safari to the park. The Maasai people exhibit their way of life and culture. They are one of the few tribes remaining in the area with a strong cultural identity. Fun songs and dances are performed for the visitors. Additionally, traditional garments and beads are for sale.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of Serengeti National Park.
Ngorongoro Conservancy is home to the volcanic Ngorongoro Crater. It is included in the National Park of Serengeti. The largest caldera in the world is the Ngorongoro crater. Elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos, and leopards can all be found in this sanctuary. Zebras, antelopes, and wildebeests all call it home. It is also common to find the Maasai herders grazing their cattle alongside the herbivores. Since its founding in 1959, the conservancy has protected both domesticated animals and wildlife. In this conservancy, a great deal of archaeological research has been done. According to the research, there has been human evolution for at least 4 million years.
- Night Drives at the park are really popular.
A thrilling safari activity in this national park is going on a game drive. They range from early game drives, during which you can see the animals return from their hunts, to late game drives, during which you can spot the big five and observe the animals relaxing or hunting. Game drives at night are very fascinating since you might see the large cats in action. Other species, including bush infants that hide during the day are also visible.
