Serengeti National Park

Field Notes

About Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's most iconic wildlife destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning 14,763 square kilometers of endless plains, the Serengeti ecosystem hosts the Great Migration — the annual movement of over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle in search of fresh grazing.

The park's name comes from the Maasai word 'siringet,' meaning 'the place where the land runs on forever.' And indeed, the vast open plains stretching to the horizon create a sense of space and freedom found nowhere else on Earth.

Beyond the migration, the Serengeti supports one of the densest predator populations anywhere — lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas all thrive here. The kopjes (granite rock outcroppings) serve as lookout points for predators and provide habitat for unique species like the klipspringer and rock hyrax.

The Serengeti's diversity extends beyond its famous mammals: over 500 bird species have been recorded, from the martial eagle to the ostrich. The Mbalageti and Grumeti rivers support large crocodile and hippo populations, while the acacia woodlands harbor giraffes, elephants, and eland.

Field Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions