Places to go?
Seronera
The heart of Serengeti National Park, Seronera is a wildlife hotspot year-round due to its permanent rivers and springs. Herds of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and buffalo gather here during the dry season, making it a hunter’s paradise. Lions relax in the branches of acacia trees waiting to pounce, while leopards lurk stealthily in the rocky outcrops. Cheetahs sprint across the open plains in pursuit of fleet-footed Thomson’s gazelles. Hyenas and jackals scavenge for leftovers from lion kills. Seronera is prime territory for spotting African wild dogs hunting in cooperative packs. The woodlands and forests along the Seronera River provide habitat for elephants, Cape buffaloes and many antelope species. Birdlife in Seronera is also prolific, with 500 recorded avian species. From majestic martial eagles to colorful lilac-breasted rollers, there’s plenty to appeal to avid birdwatchers here. With excellent year-round game viewing, Seronera is a must-visit area in Serengeti National Park.
Grumeti
Grumeti, in Serengeti’s Western Corridor, hosts one of the most dramatic stages of the Great Migration – the river crossings. From June to July, over a million wildebeest and zebras brave crocodile-infested waters to cross the Grumeti River in search of lusher grazing. It’s an epic sight watching thousands of determined wildebeest plunge into the strong currents, with many falling victim to giant Nile crocodiles lurking in wait. Luckier ones make it across to the open plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara. Aside from the migration, Grumeti has permanent water sources that draw in thirsty herds of buffalo, elephants and antelope species like topi and impala. This concentration of game drives in predators like lions, hyenas, leopards and African wild dogs. Grumeti is also part of a conservation project reintroducing black rhinos to the Serengeti ecosystem, so visitors may spot these endangered beasts. With its mix of migration action and excellent resident wildlife, Grumeti is a top attraction in Serengeti National Park.
Mara River
The Mara River provides lifeline to the Serengeti plains as it winds over 300 miles through Tanzania and Kenya. It plays a crucial role during the Great Migration when thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross in search of rain-ripened grass. The frenzied river crossings, especially in July and August, offer some of Serengeti’s most unforgettable and dramatic scenes. Columns of wildebeest plunge into the waters, flailing and clambering over each other in face of strong currents and hungry crocodiles. Many meet their end in the jaws of patient crocodiles. Vultures circle overhead, eager to scavenge on corpses. The riverbanks come alive with opportunistic predators like lions, hyenas and jackals ready to pick off injured or drown wildebeest. Photographers flock to the Mara River for iconic images of stampeding wildebeest in river crossings. Even outside of migration, the river provides year-round wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities. A visit to Serengeti is not complete without experiencing the excitement of the Mara River.
Moru Kopjes
Dotted across the grasslands of Serengeti National Park are secluded granite outcrops known as kopjes. These provide shelter, shade and elevated vantage points for resident wildlife leading to remarkable game viewing opportunities. Moru Kopjes in the center of Serengeti is a prime example and popular stop for game drives. Lions, leopards and cheetahs often rest in the shady crevices of Moru Kopjes waiting to ambush prey. Solitary bull elephants feed on trees growing among the rocks while bat-eared foxes and hyraxes populate the boulder-strewn slopes. Migratory wildebeest herds pass by in the wet season. Birdlife here includes local specialties like rufous-tailed weavers, grey-crowned helmeted shrikes and klipspringer antelopes. The kopjes’ elevated heights also provide panoramic views across the surrounding savannah. Photographers especially enjoy capturing shots of wildlife with Moru Kopjes’ scenic backdrop. Whether spotting a leopard on a rock or just taking in views of the endless plains, Moru Kopjes is a highlight not to be missed.
Ndutu
Each year from December to March, the placid grasslands of Ndutu in southern Serengeti come alive with the arrival of over half a million pregnant wildebeest. This calving season marks the start of the famous Circle of Life. Within a span of just three weeks, wildebeest mothers give birth to over 800,000 calves – a record number of live births for any mammal species! Providing safety in numbers, the cows move in synchronized herds for birthing as it helps protect the vulnerable newborns from lurking predators. Luck permits, visitors can witness the wildebeest birthing ritual and subsequent struggle for survival of the adorable calf against hyenas, jackals and vultures. Cheetahs and leopards may be spotted seeking out the weak calves. Ndutu is also an Important Bird Area with wetlands that attract numerous waterbirds. And the southern Serengeti woodlands host giraffes, elephants and rare antelope species for great dry season game drives. Ndutu is a fitting place to reflect on the Circle of Life that sustains the Serengeti.
Lobo
In the remotest northern reaches of Serengeti National Park lies the secluded Lobo area. Lobo’s wooded hills, lush valleys, and Savannah make it markedly different from the open plains of Central Serengeti. The vestige forests and woodlands shelter a unique variety of wildlife. Large herds of elephants trundle among the forests around Lobo Kopjes seeking shade, fruit, and minerals from the rocks. Rare black rhinos browse on leafy trees and shrubs under the cover of darkness. Stately reticulated giraffes feed on acacias unvexed by predators. Other forest-dwellers like bushbucks, baboons, vervet monkeys and over 300 bird species inhabit the woodlands. Meanwhile on the sweeping Savannah plains, lions, hyenas and cheetahs thrive as usual. Come evening, nightjars hawk for insects and the roar of lions resonates across the hills. Lobo’s pristine wilderness provides the ultimate safari experience away from crowded game drive routes. Visitors willing to travel deep into the untamed north are rewarded with spectacular wildlife viewing and solitude.
Gol Kopjes
Named for the Maasai word for “stones,” Gol Kopjes refers to a series of granite outcrops sculpted by nature over millennia to create a scenic landscape in Central Serengeti. These outcrops provide the perfect viewing spots for predators, shelter for small mammals, and minerals essential to many herbivores. As a result, the kopjes attract a high density of diverse wildlife. Lucky visitors can spot big cats like lions and leopards scanning for prey from vantage points amid the piles of colossal boulders. Below, herds of Thompson and Grant’s gazelles graze warily. Fleet-footed cheetahs rest in the shade before exploding into high-speed chases. Endemic birds like chestnut-banded plovers and yellow-collared lovebirds flit between the rocks. Historically, Gol Kopjes’ tall outcrops served as orientation points for Massai pastoralists traversing the plains. Today, they provide ideal game viewing and photographic opportunities set against Serengeti’s scenic granite landscape.
Olduvai Gorge
Though devoid of wildlife, Olduvai Gorge in Ngorongoro Conservation Area has immense paleoanthropological significance as the “Cradle of Mankind.” Dr. Louis Leakey conducted pioneering archaeological digs here in the 1950s and 60s, discovering remains of ancient hominids from about 3 million years ago – a milestone in understanding human origins. His wife Dr. Mary Leakey unearthed the famed Laetoli footprints nearby, providing the earliest direct evidence of bipedal hominids. The small Olduvai Gorge Museum documents these invaluable discoveries with fossils, tools, timelines and diagrams. Guided tours explain how the gorge evolved into an archaeological treasure trove due to periodic lakes that attracted prehistoric hominids. While wildlife viewing takes the spotlight elsewhere in Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge merits a stopover to reflect on our distant ancestors who once roamed these
Naabi Hill
Located at the southeastern edge of Serengeti National Park, Naabi Hill provides panoramic views across the surrounding grasslands. At over 1,800 feet elevation, Naabi Hill acts as the perfect vantage point for spotting migratory wildebeest herds in the dry season as they head north. The scenic outlook also offers ideal opportunities to see Africa’s diverse wildlife against the backdrop of the plains. Lounging lions, fast-running cheetahs, lumbering elephants, and more can be spotted from this excellent viewpoint. Naabi Hill’s elevation keeps it breezier as well compared to the humid lowland plains, providing a pleasant area for a scenic lunch or sundowner cocktails at sunset after a day’s game drive. No visit to Serengeti is complete without pausing at Naabi Hill to appreciate the sweeping Serengeti landscapes that stretch to the horizon.
Hippo Pools
As their name suggests, Hippo Pools are mist-shrouded lagoons where large numbers of hippos wallow and snort loudly with their pods. These swampy waterholes are prime spots for viewing not only hippos, but also many aquatic bird species. The pools attract colorful birds like African fish eagles, Goliath herons, palm-nut vultures, yellow-billed storks, pink-backed pelicans, and Egyptian geese. Crocodiles may also be seen lurking in the depths. Hippo Pools provide contrast to the savannah plains and are specially worth visiting during dry seasons when wildlife congregates around shrinking water sources. While potentially dangerous to enter, Hippo Pools can be safely admired from a distance at viewing platforms. Their scenic settings make Hippo Pools perfect places to stop and observe Serengeti’s abundant wildlife drawn to water.
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