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THE
SERENGETI ("Siringit"
- maasai word for "wide open plains")
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The
Serengeti, famed for its massive grassy plains and millions of
migratory wildebeest and zebra, is the largest national park in the
north of Tanzania, and covers an area of 14.763 square kilometres. The
Serengeti continues into a tiny part of Kenya famously called the
Maasai Mara. The Tanzanian side of these vast plains has fewer visitors
and its sheer size means that it is possible to spend a long time here
and still have lots to see and experience.
One is likely to watch a lioness tend her cubs, or observe a
leopard lazily straddling the branch of a "sausage tree", or
watch a herd of zebra grazing whilst ever watchful of any slight
movement in the grass... It is an experience unlike any other, and
sends one's heart racing even though within the confines of your
safari vehicle. Things go on in the park much as it has done for
centuries - for time in the Serengeti does not exist - it is an
experience that serves to enrich one's life and many people return
knowing that their spiritual experience is as much of a contagious
factor as the physical beauty of the place.
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Most
of our clients spend from 2 to 6 nights in the Serengeti alone. Dubbed the Greatest Show on Earth, the Serengeti
hosts the annual migration (predominantly of wildebeest and zebra) in
their cyclical journey to and from the Maasai Mara. The best time to
experience the thrills of the Migration in the Serengeti is between
December-July and November-February. During the short dry
period from late July/early August to late October/early
November, the Migration is in the Maasai Mara. However the
Serengeti has resident wildlife year round due to the presence of
water from the Grumeti and Seronera Rivers.
The
Serengeti is where many people spend most of the days of their safari.
Huge expanses of short-grass plains make game viewing exceptionally
good. Among the remarkable features of these vast plains are the
Kopjes (islands of rock formations) where a number of wildlife shelter
from the mid-day sun or seek refuge from predators. The Serengeti is
justifiably famous for its huge concentrations of game especially the
predators (lion, leopard and cheetah) and of course the spectacular
migration of millions of wildebeest and antelope.
The
Serengeti has 3 distinct areas - the Seronera area (roughly in the
middle), which has a number of resident game all year round, and the
northern and western corridors, which are better when the migration is
in these areas. The Grumeti River in the western corridor and the Mara
River in the north also offers visitors glimpses of the huge
crocodiles (you may even want to walk across the rope bridge to the
other side of the river bank whilst ever-watchful crocs laze on the
banks below...)
There
are a number of beautiful lodges and tented camps in the Serengeti
(see link below) and a great number of campsites. Balloon flights at
dawn can be arranged with pick-up from most Serengeti hotels or
campsites and includes a champagne breakfast under an acacia tree –
the ultimate treat for a loved one!
Driving time to the Serengeti from the Ngorongoro Crater is about 4-6
hours depending on where your lodge/campsite is situated.
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LODGES & CAMPING

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