Serengeti National Park

Serengeti, Lake Manayara & Ngorongoro Safari experience within budget.

It wasn't the way we had envisaged going on safari when we originally decided to go, but a camping safari was definitely the best we have experienced to date. Previously we have stayed at lodges in safari parks, and they have been very good. This time we were working to a budget and had to go during peak times so we had to look for alternatives. We booked a package directly with the tour operator based in Arusha and gave them details of what we wanted to see and do, they arranged everything: pick-up at the coach station, car, driver, cook, sleeping bags, tent, food. The tour guide/driver knew exactly which camping sites to stay at, the amount ot time needed to view the wildlife and also specifics about the wildlife. This allowed us plenty of time to see and enjoy the beautiful national parks (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti). Once you arrive in Arusha it takes a couple of hours to get to Lake Mayara and the road is good. Getting to Ngorongoro takes a further 3 hours, but to get to Serengeti you have to go through Ngorongoro and it takes a good few hours, and be prepared for a rough ride, as the road is not smooth. But the whole experience was fantastic. Apart from the amazing wildlife the experience of staying in tented camps was graet. One night was spent in the middle of the Serengeti, where we could hear wildlife around at night and when we woke up we were a facing a glorious sunrise and giraffes and zebra roaming within a few hundred metres. Another night was a freezing cold night at the top of Ngorongoro Crater, but where you could see the stars so clearly that you felt you could touch them. Generally, the washroom facilities in these camps weren't great but the were usable. And having a cook travelling with us was great, he provided breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. All-in-all this was a great adventure holiday for the family (2 adults and 2 boys) which we will never forget and which will provide us with stories to tell.

Its fame is well deserved. Absolutely magnificent. Huge and with different scenaries and types of natural environments. The area near Seronera is especially beautiful and full of wild animals. Pity that at times it may be slightly crowded (too many jeeps around). The area near Lobo is somewhat less spectacular and less rich of animals. Best experience for me was spending some nights in a tented camp. 2/3 days in serengeti are a must.

Amazing wildlife

We were very lucky with the animals we saw, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, vervet monkeys, baboons, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, and flamingos, huge numbers of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, and many others. Our guide was very good, and our cook prepared surprisingly good food for us. The tents in which we camped were fine, but the bathrooms at the campsites were disgusting.

A Trip of a Lifetime

The Serengeti National Park was one of 4 parks we visited in Tanzania. The incredible expanse of grasslands is overwhelming and it's teeming with wildlife. We were able to watch a huge pride of lions as the moved into position for the night's adventures. Our guide knew just where to find every animal on the plains. We saw leopards (plural) with their kills in the trees on both days. Cheetah were the first animals we saw as we entered the park - how beautiful! Elephants, giraffe, monkeys, hippos, birds (the Rollers are beautiful), were also everywhere.

The Serengeti Serena lodge was one of my trip favorites. I thought the food was excellent and you really felt like you were right among the landscape as we were. If having two Cape Buffalo right outside your hut is not enough excitement, you're just jaded. The service and accommodations were excellent too.

The weather was dry and not too hot. If it rained, we didn't see it.

Our guide and LandCruiser through Leopard tours were first rate. He knew so much and was so gracious explaining the land, the wildlife and the culture of his much loved country.

Vast plains, huge concentrations of wildlife. The great migration of course. If you want to see as much as possible, go here. All the big cats, all the undulates. Great landscapes, koppies and oasis like rivers. Downsides are the amount of tourists. You see many vehicles standing around a group of lions or that cheetah.

its a must in Tanzania but make sure where you go at what time of the year. in June the north (around Lobo) was quite boring

Beaten track, but beaten for a reason.

Unfortunately we missed the migration at the park, but it was still busy with tourists. The landscape is open and expansive, meaning you're not constantly surrounded by other vehicles - unless you come across a pride of lions, in which case expect a steady build up of tourists.

There's a great number of animals to be seen at the park, and you'd have to be pretty unlucky not to come away with several decent sightings. Being driven around certainly makes for a relaxing tour, and there are plenty of extras to consider including camping or staying at a hotel within the park and balloon tours.

Our guide was interesting, we really liked him though I would imagine more professional ones are available. He was good at spotting wildlife but wasn't overly knowledgeable about each species. He compensated for this by being a fun and hardworking guide. The food provided was ok - not exactly fine dining, but we weren't expecting that anyway.

The weather during our time there was good - hot but not too hot, and sometimes cloudy. It didn't rain.

The highlight was probably the lions, as we saw them close up and with the male, who came and lay down right next to our vehicle. Just as we were about to leave a female arrived and called to her cubs, who arrived through the long grass. They were very cute. I also loved the hippo pool, where there was loads of activity.

All in all we had a fantastic time at the park, and would thoroughly recommend it to others who have an interest in wildlife.

Many, many animals and many people too! Get a guide that will help you experience it the way you want

Serengeti during the dry season is the image the people have when they think safari. It is The Lion King brought to life. Brown grasses as far as the eye can see, sometimes with a tree breaking the monotony.
We decided to spend a morning viewing the Serengeti from a hot-air balloon. It was expensive, but well worth the money we spent for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Everyone’s experience in the Serengeti will be different. Some will see a kill. Others may see a stampede, or a display of dominance, or a cheetah running, or a lion cub playing. We saw a juvenile elephant discover three lions stalking him, and then turn the tables on them. But everyone will see something that few other people in the world have seen, and that’s what makes Serengeti so fascinating.

Ndutu is amazing, our best safari experience. Being able to get so close to the animals is a once in a lifetime experience.