TANZANIA

The Serengeti eco-system comprises about 30,000 sq km and includes neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well as Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word which refers to an “endless plain” and the national park covers 14,763 sq. km. It takes about six hours to reach the southern area of the Serengeti by vehicle. There is an airstrip in Seronera with daily one hour flights to/from Arusha. This massive wilderness area, one of the last great eco-systems in the world, is the stage for possibly the greatest natural event on earth - the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and several hundred thousand zebra. The herds move constantly and take a year to complete the route, ending up in the southern area of Ndutu each February to drop their calves within a three week period. The volcanic origins of the area established the rich soil which supports the grassy plains which in turn provide pasture for the grazers, prey to the carnivores.
An unprecedented species of hoofed mammals are resident as well as elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena (2 species) several species of jackal, bat-eared fox, buffalo, warthog, ostrich, giraffe, baboon, monkeys and the list goes on. The Western Corridor, scene of the migration in June and July is home to massive Nile crocodiles who lurk in the Grumeti River, awaiting the arrival of the wildebeest. There are areas of forest and woodland in the north and beautiful rocky outcroppings called kopjes dot the landscapes in several areas. The Seronera area a rich valley with year round water is possibly the most reliable area for wildlife viewing for those with a limited time to spend in this, the most studied and well known wildlife area in the world.