The exact location of Serengeti is in the northern part of Tanzania in East Africa. Serengeti National Park lies close to the border with Kenya, where it directly connects with the Masai Mara National Reserve. Together, these two protected areas form the larger Serengeti Ecosystem, which supports wildlife movement during the annual wildebeest migration.
Serengeti National Park covers an area of about 14,763 square kilometers, which is about 5,700 square miles. This makes it one of the largest national parks in Tanzania and one of the most important wildlife areas in Africa. The park sits in the center of the Serengeti Ecosystem, one of the oldest ecosystems on the continent. This wide open land allows animals to move freely across borders as seasons change.
The closest major city to the exact location of Serengeti is Arusha. Arusha is the main starting point for most safaris to the park. Visitors can reach Serengeti by road from Arusha, which takes about 8 hours, depending on the route and road conditions. Another option is to fly from Arusha to one of the many airstrips located inside the park.
The nearest international airport to Serengeti National Park is Kilimanjaro International Airport. From this airport, travelers can either drive to the park, which takes roughly 8 hours, or take a domestic flight to Serengeti airstrips. Flying is often faster and avoids long road travel.
The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai people who lived in this area. The word “siringet” in the Maasai language means a place where the land runs on. This name describes the wide open plains that stretch across the park.
These endless plains are home to large numbers of wildebeests. These animals are most active during the calving season and the migration season. The park continues naturally into the Masai Mara in Kenya, which allows wildebeests to move north during the dry season in search of water and grass.
Because of its location, size, and wildlife movement, a visit to Serengeti National Park is worth both time and cost for travelers interested in African safaris.
