Wildlife in the Serengeti: Wildlife is the main reason why Serengeti National Park is visited by millions of travelers each year, if you are interested in witnessing abundance of wildlife – then you are in for a feast as Serengeti plains host huge population of wildlife in its vast unspoilt natural environment.
There is so much to discover in Serengeti National Park, from Africa’s iconic Big 5, endless herds of wildebeests and zebras, hundreds of bird species to much smaller creatures such as the charming dung beetle.
The Big Five in the Serengeti
The “Big Five” is a term that is used to refer to the 5 African animals that the early big game hunters considered most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa, these animals include lion, rhino, elephant, rhino and cape buffalo and seeing them roaming freely in their own habitat is something you will never forget.
“The Big Five define the Ultimate African Safari Experience as these animals prove to be the most difficult to hunt mostly due to their ferocity when cornered”.
Thanks to no hunting in Serengeti “The Big Five are now shot by camera”, you will be able to see these fascinating creatures and your guide and tracker will help you check the Big Five off your list.
Lion – King of the African Savannah
Seeing a pride of lions in their own habitat will leave you with unforgettable memory, good news is Serengeti is home to some of the incredibly large prides of lions and they are fairly easy to spot.
Lions are social animals thus leave in a pride. In a group, females hunt more than the males but most will happily scavenge if they get the chance because their favorite activity is snoozing under a tree (something they like to do for about 20 hours a day).
Leopard – Walk with an elegant grace and have an amazing coat
Also, known as “The Prince of Darkness”. Leopards are the most shy and elusive one of the Big Five, they are excellent at playing hide and see. If they don’t want to be seen they can be perfectly camouflaged.
In Serengeti, you will mostly like to spot a leopard resting on a tree branch. The large branches of the sausage tree are their favorite spot. So always remember to look up, a leopard might be enjoying his lunch high up in a tree away from bothersome lions and other predators.
Buffalo – one of Africa’s Most dangerous animals with a few predators
Buffalo is one of Africa’s most dangerous animals with very few predators, they are known for their fierce revenge. Buffaloes need to drink every day so they are often found at a water hole. Although they can be notoriously bad tempered especially when they are injured, their wise gaze – as once described by a novelist “They look at you like you owe them money” makes them thrilling to see.
In Serengeti, buffaloes are in very healthy numbers and there is a good chance you will see herds with over 1,000 or more.
African elephant – The world’s largest land animal
Seeing an elephant in its natural habitat is simply thrilling, these grey giants roam freely in the plains of Serengeti and occasionally disappear into the woodlands. Female elephants live in close-knit clans and family bonds can last for 50 years.
Elephants frequently visit waterholes close to lodges, they are peaceful when left alone but if they feel threatened. It is best to get out of their way as there is nothing scarier than being chase by an animal that weights over 7,000 kilos.
Rhinoceros – a pre-historic heavyweight
There are two types of rhinos in Africa that is the black and white rhino, the white rhino is not white but grey like the others. The name “white” was misinterpreted after early Dutch Settlers used the word “wijd” (wide) referring to its broad lips.
In the past several decades, the population of rhinos in Serengeti has greatly suffered due to poaching as its horn is worth more than its weight in gold. Rhino numbers decreased from 1,000 to less than 70 individuals.
The female rhino only gives birth every fie years making the rhino one of the most challenging animals to spot in Serengeti National Park, but with an experienced guide by your side, you might be lucky.
Other wildlife in the Serengeti
The Serengeti hosts a great variety of animals thanks to its unique transition area, the distinct changeover from rich flat soils in the south, to the poor hilly soils in the north leads to a great diversity of vegetation and habitats across the park.
A unique habitat is the riverine forests which is a favorite spot for hippos and crocodiles, other common animals are the common long-neck giraffes, many other ungulates (hooved animals) such as the eland, zebra, top, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelles which are residents at any time of the year. All the big cats are easily seen
- Lions are seen everywhere and are often on a kill
- Cheetahs are very common on the south – eastern plains
- Leopards can typically be found lazing in one of the big trees along the Seronera River
- Hyenas are common, wild animals are rare
Birdlife in Serengeti National Park
While visiting Serengeti, there is a good chance that you will fall in love with the birds more. With more than 500 bird species recorded, Serengeti is a birder’s paradise. Most guides will gladly point out all the unique species in this area such as the bright green and yellow-coloured Fischer’s Lovebird, or the Kuri bustard with its impressive white beard.
The Serengeti – Mara Ecosystem is one of Africa’s Endemic Bird’s Area (land important for habitat – based bird conservation) and also hosts five bird species found nowhere else, half of which are confined to the Tanzanian portion of the ecosystem.
Best time for bird watching
Bird watching in Serengeti National Park is good year-round, but it is at its best between early November and late April which is when European and North African Migratory birds are present, it is also nesting time for the resident species. This makes it easy to spot birds in their exciting breeding plumage.
Small talk: insects in the Serengeti
Serengeti National Park is home to stinging and biting insects though they are low compared to North America and Europe. However, the diversity of other insects is phenomenally higher in Serengeti. Many of these little creatures play a critical role in the ecosystem of this entire area and many guide will enthusiastically explains more about the importance of insects.
Give of these critical insect groups are dung beetles, grasshoppers, termites, butterflies, moths and ants.
