We visited Serengeti National Park for three days at the end of September and it did not disappoint.

Since we were based in Moshi after our Kilimanjaro climb, we first had to make a long drive to the park passing Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro crater (which we visted afterwards). 

Once in Serengeti, you will encounter countless animals (giraffes, zebras, gazelles, monkeys, elephants, the bizarre hyrax, ...). Over three days, we also spotted a dozen of lions – most of them resting under a tree in small groups but also one hunting a gazelle. Little anecdote in this respect: three meters away from a couple of resting lions, our jeep found it a good idea to stop working but another nearby jeep was radioed and was able to give us a push which helped us start again.

We were also lucky to see a number of cheetahs (be it from a distance), a lazy leopard in a ‘sausage tree’ and what looked like a miniature version of the wildebeest migration (an endless stream of wildebeests and zebras crossing the road but only in a single line). Another – be it smelly – highlight is the hippo pool.

Although most people visit Serengeti for the wildlife, the surroundings are also beautiful and worthwile to spend a couple of days, so in our opinion Serengeti is one of the top WHS!

In terms of accomodation, there are various options: lodges, moving camps (to follow the wildebeest migration), tented camps and camping. Lodges and moving camps are (very) expensive so we opted for a tented camp (the brand new Tukaone Camp), i.e. with fixed tents where all guests have their own large tent with bed, shower, toilet, ... and also a mess/restaurant tent. Although also not cheap at all, we felt we deserved this after spending five nights in a small tent at well below zero temperatures on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Ps: a number of years ago, we visited Namibia’s more or less comparable Etosha National Park so below a small comparison for travellers wanting to book a wildlife safari:

(i) driver versus self-drive: we visited Serengeti with a driver/guide (as most people do) while we did a self-drive in Etosha (as most people do). The advantage of a guide is that they are generally better in spotting the animals, more or less know where they are and it consequently is more laid back. However, looking for animals yourself and finding a rare to spot one is equally rewarding

(ii) cost: Serengeti is far more expensive than Etosha (park entry fee, accomodation, ...)

(iii) fauna & flora: Etosha looked like a much harsher and arid environment than Serengeti. We also had the impression that there is more variety in animals in Serengeti