Serengeti National Park
From the moment the cobbled boots of a European explorer kicked up dust in East Africa the plains of Serengeti have captured the imagination and defined the quintessence of wild Africa.
Nowadays this iconic region falls under the protection of the Serengeti National Park, which is part of the spectacular family of national parks and conservancies that makes Tanzania such a spectacular all round destination. The region that the Maasi termed Serengit  or Endless Plain  in fact is covered by a number of different parks and conservancies, overlapping into Kenya, and including the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, the eruptions of which layered ash across a vast swathe of the landscape creating the characteristic plains.
Despite its fame Serengeti has not been spoilt or over exploited. Travel through the park is still satisfyingly rough, accommodations both simple and tastefully understated, and the overwhelming sense of space and absence of human influence lend an authenticity to this park that in every respect justifies its reputation.
FAQ
The Park was established in 1951. It is TanzaniaÂs largest and oldest national park. It fundamentally comprises the feature rolling plains, but is also fringed with low hills sprinkled with rocky outcrops, and sweeping bushveld country to the north.
The park covers and area 5 790 sq miles, hoists 70 species of larger mammal and some 500 bird species. The annual migrations are the largest of their kind, and represent one of the Ten Natural Wonders of the World. The phenomenon involves more than 2 million individual animals annually.
The character of the plains is defined by season. The season of greatest drama is when the rains clear the skis and green the plains, when the region is replete with life and migrating birds arrive in vast flocks. When the plains dry the colors alter to dun colored grasslands and lingering dusty haze. Animal life diminishes leaving only the hardy and the perennial.
During this time animals retreat to regions of permanent water, and it it here were the most concentrated sighting occur.
Access to the park is usually via Arusha. The Musoma Road leading from Arusha climbs over the shoulder of Ngorongoro Crater before veering northwest across the southern plains towards the parkÂs center at Seronera.
When to Visit
There is no perfect time to visit Serengeti. The principal events that draw visitors to the region are: the massed migrations of wildebeest that take place during the November to May wet season when the fresh grass on the plains attracts a vast influx of these creatures: The massing of vast herds of wildebeest and Zebra on the southern plains during the dry months from June to September: and the spectacle of calving that takes place usually in February.
Fees
Permit for entry for each person to Serengeti National Park:
Of or above the age of 16 years – US$50 Between the age of 5 years and 16 year – US$10 Children below the age of 5 years – free
Permit for each Motor vehicle:
Tare weight up to 2000 kgs – US$40 Tare weight between 2001 – 3000 kgs – US$150 Tare weight between 3001 – 7000 kgs – US$200 Tare weight above 7001 kgs – US$300 Open vehicle fee: Normal fee plus 50%
Permit for camping in any one period of 24 hours or part thereof:
Public Campsite
a) Of or above the age of 16 years 30
b) Between the age of 5 years and 16 years 5
c) Children below th age of 5 years free
Special Campsites
a) Of or above the age of 16 years 50
b) Between the age of 5 years and 16 years 10
c) Children below the age of 5 years free
Premium Campsite
a) Of or above the age of 16 years 100
b) Between the age of 5 years and 16 years 20
c) Children below the age of 5 years free