This famous national park derives its name from the Maasai language. Broadly translated as ‘endless plain’, the name could not be more apt for this vast natural habitat. The Serengeti Eco System comprises Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Maswa Game Reserve on the southern border of the Park and the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya, at the northern end.

Saving the Serengeti
In 1913 the first of the White Hunters arrived in northern Tanzania and embarked on the merciless pursuit of Africa’s wildlife for trophies, especially targeting the lion population. Thankfully by 1921 a growing awareness developed that was to save Serengeti’s wildlife for future generations. The first conservation initiative established a small game reserve in the vicinity of the Serengeti. This was soon to grow into the vast area now known as the Serengeti National Park. In 1960 Ngorongoro Conservation Area (which makes up part of the greater Serengeti eco system) was established thereby increasing the protected area.

Seasons of the Serengeti
The area making up Serengeti National Park is geographically diverse, with grasslands in the south, acacia trees dotting the savanna in the centre, more elevated grassland in the north and woodland with black clay plains in the west. Small rivers, lakes and swamps contribute to the Park’s eco system which is robust enough to support 30 species of large herbivores and almost 500 species of bird. As with Ngorongoro crater, much of the landscape has been sculpted by volcanic activity and climate.

The migration of the herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle is largely influenced by the rain. The long rains fall in March through May and short rains fall in the period October through November. When the lush green grasses after the rains have been consumed and with the onset of the dry season, the migratory herbivores move on in search of available water and fresh grazing.

During the dry season, June through October, the climate of the Serengeti is the coolest and evenings can be particularly chilly.

Serengeti and Science
Into the late 1950’s Dr Bernhard Grizmek and his son Michael initiated scientific research with aerial surveys of wildlife. The continued work of scientists provides important information with regard to the management and preservation of wildlife parks and their ecology. More is known about the Serengeti National Park than any other ecosystem in the world.

Dr. and Mrs. Leakey discovered the 1.75 million year old remains of Zinjanthropus and Homo habilis in the neighboring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which paleontologists believe is evidence that mankind evolved in Africa.

Serengeti Wildlife
It is not only the diversity of wildlife but the numbers in which they appear that makes the Serengeti a place not far from the Africa of old. It is a healthy thriving National Park except perhaps for Black rhino which are still struggling to regain their numbers after extensive poaching. Predators thrive on the huge herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra. Black maned lion, flighty cheetah and hyena make up the bulk of the predator population.

Evidence of strong herds of elephant is very clearly seen as a trail of damaged acacia trees tell of the destruction that elephants can cause in their search for food. The Grumeti river supports a riverine wood along its banks creating a home for black and white colobus monkeys who are all too aware of the really large crocodiles in the water below.