Picture yourself enjoying the Serengeti in Tanzania strolling in the savannah, surrounded by breathtaking wildlife and fascinating noises. While the wind strongly blows on your back, you stand as the dust is thrown into your sunglasses, making it very difficult for you to see what is standing right in front of you.
To your surprise, a pack of lions has just decided that it’s time for their afternoon snack. You curiously watch in awe as they synchronously move slowly further into the Serengeti. Suddenly, they spot their prey and attack a herd of wildebeests across the vast plains. Later, you witness a majestic group of impalas sand gazelles grazes across the horizon of the beautiful savannah while zebras drink at a neighboring waterhole.
If this sounds like something straight out of The Lion King, you are absolutely correct. However, you can experience this in real life, not just watch it occur on a television screen. Whether heading to the Serengeti in Tanzania for a fun 50th birthday vacation or a solo travel expedition, you are guaranteed to have the time of your life!
Stick around throughout this article to find out how you can experience an idyllic day such as this one I described in the breathtaking Serengeti in Tanzania.
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Why visit the Serengeti in Tanzania?
Going on a safari through the Serengeti in Tanzania is surely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Why, you ask? Boasting over 3.7 acres of savannah, the Serengeti in Tanzania makes up a fascinating and vastly important ecosystem in Africa.
The part of the Serengeti in Tanzania you will be visiting is the Serengeti National Park which is world-renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, each year the Serengeti hosts the largest mammal migration found in the entire world. During this highly popular migration over two million wildebeest and hundreds of other animals travel across the area in search of food and water. Many know this breathtaking annual adventure as “The Great Migration”.
Travelers, nature-enthusiasts, television networks, and scientists alike flock to the Serengeti consistently throughout the year often on a safari expedition to witness this spectacular movement of wildlife.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit the Serengeti in Tanzania is usually determined by the amount of rain forecasted. Weather conditions found in the Serengeti are usually very extreme with intense winds and high temperatures. Thus, the onset of this “Great Migration” is dictated by the occurrence of rain in the area.
If you are planning on staying in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area located south of Tanzania, you will love the mighty wildebeests migrate beginning in December. Here you can witness the wildlife begin their 1,200-mile journey across the great savannah.
In both February and March you will notice the wildebeest bearing their young as they move north towards the great Maasai Mara in May. Here they will search for grass to eat and large amounts of water. For the vast majority of other animals, the adventure is difficult as predators search for easy prey to devour. To reach the Maasai Mara, the animals need to journey across the Grumeti River where they find crocodiles lying patiently before they attack.
Finally, if you are looking to visit the Serengeti in Tanzania between July and October, you will want to investigate the Mara. After that dramatic river crossing, the animals finally make their way back into the south as the rain returns and the “Great Migration” season starts all over again.
Best way to experience the Serengeti
The biggest attraction at the Serengeti in Tanazia is the popular game drives. This area is particularly famous for the migration of wildebeests for its large number of lions in the area.
You will definitely be able to see plenty of once-in-a-lifetime sights, however, do not expect to see everything shown on Planet Earth. Since the Serengeti is huge, most travelers traveling from around the world opt for a migration safari in hopes of witnessing the exhilarating, yearly event.
Because the actual movement of animals depends heavily on the rainfall in the area, make sure to ask your safari operator about the best time to visit and ask them to update you if anything changes. Therefore, you will have a higher chance of seeing what you came for.
Whether you opt for a budget safari through the Serengeti or prefer to indulge yourself on a luxurious resort, you will definitely have the time of your life. The differences typically are related to how you travel (car or plane) and where you stay (tent or high-end lodge). While all amenities are fantastic, you will be happy to know that no matter what you choose, the safety ratings at the majority of the operation sites are very high.
Besides visiting to experience the Great Migration, both the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara area are home to the Big Five animals. These top animals include lions, African elephants, African leopards, black rhinos, and cape buffalos. If you get a chance to visit, take note that it is especially difficult to spot the endangered black rhinos, so if you happen to see one, snap a shot on your most reliable camera.
A popular attraction at the Serengeti in Tanzania to see the vast land the savannah encompasses includes a ride up in a hot air balloon. Getting a bird’s eye view over the immense Serengeti is a bucket-list experience some will only dream of. If you play your cards right, you may be able to one of the breathtaking sunrises artists from all over would love to capture.
After you return from your journey, you will typically be treated to a spectacular breakfast and a glass of champagne. One balloon adventure I found interesting was this one here. If you book this excursion, you will become mesmerized by the endless expanse of the great Serengeti plains.
What should you pack for a Serengeti safari adventure?
A safari in the immense Serengeti in Tanzania is unlike any adventure you have ever been on before. Thus, I completely understand if you do not know how to pack for your adventure. When you come to Tanzania to see some of Africa’s top animals, you want to make sure you look and act the part. After all, you do not want to show up boasting a winter coat in the high temperatures found in the savannah!
This means that you should grab everything you can from this checklist I am going to layout for you below. This will help with everything from clothes to electronics, so get ready to dig into what needs to be in your carry-on and luggage on your long flight to the land of the Great Migration.
Safari Shorts
You will definitely need a couple of pairs of shorts that will make it through your adventure to the Serengeti in Tanzania while remaining stylish. We suggest finding a couple of pairs of safari shorts that are durable, weather-resistant, comfortable, and blend into the environment. If you are looking to get our fav, check these out for men and women.
Safari Pants
A good pair of Safari pants will go a long way on your adventure through the Serengeti. If you plan on doing bush walks on your safari, light pants will be much more practical than shorts. Make sure to look for flexible, durable, weather-proof pants that won’t rip when hoping on your safari vehicle. You can shop our favs on Amazon here for men and women.
Safari Shirts
The perfect safari shirt will make all the difference when on your trip to the Serengeti. You want to remain both comfortable and protected during your long days of exploration. Thus, investing in practical, synthetic, and cotton shirts will help you last for your entire journey. To shop our favorites, check out these shirts for men and these for women.
Safari Boots
Next, we definitely suggest investing in a good safari boot to bring along and utilize on your adventure. Whether hiking a bushwalk or strolling through the sandy savannah, picking up a reliable pair of boots before your trip is essential. A good pair of safari boots won’t only provide comfort, but will also be safe for going in the bush. Check out these pairs of boots on Amazon for men and for women.
Safari Binoculars
Many people actually question whether or not they need to bring binoculars to Africa, and all I can say is yes! Not all safari services offer binoculars for you to use so it is best to bring your own set just in case you see an elusive lion far away in the savannah. If you do not have a nice set of safari binoculars, you might not be able to get a good look at the breathtaking wildlife you came to witness! Check out our favorite pair of safari binoculars on Amazon here.
Safari Camera
Like we mentioned earlier in this article, you will definitely want to pack a decent camera to capture what you witness on your adventure in the Serengeti. You will want to take photos to bring back home with you to document this fabulous adventure forever. You will want to make sure you pick up a camera from a reputable brand that will not die on you halfway through your journey. Our favorite is a Canon PowerShot SX530 and you can find it right here on Amazon.
Power Adapter
If you are traveling from anywhere that uses anything but the Type G Adapter (British Plug), you will want to make sure you pack a couple of travel adapters for your adventure. That camera will be no good if you have no way to charge it while on your safari! Pick one up before your trip to ensure you are not scurrying to find one at the airport.
Safari Hat
With the intense sun found at the Serengeti in Tanzania all seasons of the year, you will want to protect your skin, especially on your face. Anyone who has spent time in the African sun can attest to the powerful sunrays and a decent safari hat is the first line of defense against sun damage. Make sure to find one that is both effective and fits properly around your head. Check out our favorite safari hat on Amazon here.
Sunglasses
In addition to packing a safari hat, you will want to make sure you are protecting your eyes from the sun with an effective pair of sunglasses. There are a lot of options for sunglasses, however, it is best to make sure that they offer UV protection for the health of your eyes in the intense African sun. Check out our favorite pair for reliable protection on Amazon here.
Safari Bag
If you do not already have a go-to bag when going on wildlife intense adventures, I suggest investing in a good, sturdy safari bag. You will want to make sure this bag adheres to the size restrictions enforced on a number of the small bush and charter flights to the Serengeti area. Most bush flights allow a maximum of 30 kg on their planes, so make sure to plan accordingly! If you are looking to purchasing one on Amazon, check out our favorite safari bag here.
That completes our travel guide for exploring the Serengeti in Tanzania. No matter what time of the year you plan on exploring this vast savannah, you will experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Make sure to pack everything you need beforehand and have fun as you enjoy a vacation some only dream of experiencing!
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