Africa is often associated with different wild animals. Here, the highest density of wildlife, as well as the richest diversity of fauna in comparison with other continents of the Earth.
Here are a variety of national parks. Serengeti is one of them. By the way, the mainland has the largest number of national parks on Earth - 335 pieces. About 100,000 species of insects, 1,100 species of mammals, 3,000 species of fish and 2,600 species of birds were able to find protection in them. There are also various nature reserves, natural parks, national, marine and forest reserves.
The continent is rich in a variety of habitats. The plains of arid savannahs and tropical rainforests in the Sahara have become a haven for various wildlife. A huge number of fascinating animals live here, some of them are threatened with extinction. In addition, there is an opinion that this is the place where the first people appeared.
Tanzania
Various national parks are located here. Serengeti is a famous park that every tourist who wants to explore real Africa wants to go to.
Without a doubt, this place is the most famous treasury of wildlife in the whole world. He knows no equal in scientific value and beauty. The Serengeti National Park of Africa - the most popular and oldest park in Tanzania - is famous for its annual migrations: more than 6 million pairs of legs trample the plain, while 300,000 gazelles and 200,000 zebras are looking for fresh food along with wildebeest. But in the Serengeti, even without migration, a vibrant safari in Africa is possible : herds of huge buffalo, a group of giraffes and elephants, an incredible amount of swamp, eland, impala, grant gazelles and congonis.
Park location
In the Tanzania region, in which the Great African Rift is located, the famous Serengeti Park is located (a map of it is presented in this article). Its northern neighbor is the Masai Mara Kenyan Reserve, and in the southeast it borders with Ngorongoro.
A bit of history
These lands for a long time remained absolutely wild. But about a hundred years ago, the Masai came to this place - the northern nomadic tribes who had domesticated cattle.
The first European came to the Serengeti region in 1891 - Oscar Bauman (German), who was a researcher and naturalist. Here in 1913 the first hunters began their activities. For several years, the process of forming the territory of the reserve took place in this place, which became the basis for the current national park, which it became in 1951. This action was facilitated by an understanding of the need to conserve African wildlife, as frequent hunting could lead to a rapid reduction in the number of lions, which at some time were considered pests.
After 8 years, a reservist was identified from the Serengeti, who was named Ngorongoro.
In 2009, at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the park, scientists reported that these unique lands must be protected from the frequent visits of foreigners, due to which tourism is now actively developing in Africa. To do this, they suggested limiting access to national parks. Serengeti does not apply to them. But travelers today cannot get to the Olduvai Gorge, in which at the moment they are exploring the traces of ancient people. This is done for the purity of research and the safety of all finds.
Park name
The name of this area means “long stretch”. Here the climate is specific, which contributes to a riot of all life forms. It also affects the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the area.
Climate
It is mostly warm and dry in the Serengeti, although there is also a rainy season. Here it falls in the spring. Precipitation is also possible in mid-autumn, but it is already much smaller.
Landscapes in rainy times are full of flowers and greenery, while in the rest of the time drought gradually sets in. At this time, residents of the National Park begin to migrate to find water to save life.
The air temperature here does not particularly fluctuate - in the region of 15-25 ° C. In the Serengeti, the coolest period is June-October, especially in the evening.
Landscape
Serengeti National Park also has different landscapes:
- the center is the savannah;
- south - meadows;
- west - numerous plains and forests;
- southeast - volcanoes;
- north - forests with hills.
In each part you can find a small river, swamp or lake.
Modern landscapes are very far from the original, which were here once upon a time, when the general view of the earth's surface was formed by the activity of volcanoes. Then a lot of time passed, the elements acted on the earth, thereby creating the current image, which can be appreciated by looking at the photo of the Serengeti.
Animals
Special conditions make it possible to develop different types of fauna and flora, which dispersed the national parks. Serengeti represents the largest population:
- birds (about 500 varieties);
- animals (about 35 species);
- reptiles (about 350 varieties).
Among the animals here are:
- Thompson's gazelles (more than 0.5 million);
- wildebeest (about 2 million);
- zebras (over 0.25 million);
- elephants;
- Giraffes
- rhinos
- baboons;
- porcupines and others.
You can meet other predators:
- cheetahs;
- about 3,000 lions;
- jackals;
- hyenas;
- leopards.
Famous birds of Africa:
- vultures;
- flamingo;
- war eagles ;
- storks;
- ostriches.
There are reptiles:
- crocodiles;
- snakes
- lizards.
Animal migration
Travelers to the Serengeti Reserve are attracted by several fragments from the life of wild inhabitants, the main of which is the great migration of ungulates, to be more precise, wildebeests and zebras. Millionth herds of these animals sweep through the picturesque and endless areas of the Serengeti.
Behind them, surely predators go , not missing any suitable moment for a fruitful hunt. Behind them already scavengers rush, being an obligatory link of a food chain of these places.
A similar migration in the National Park occurs between February and June. Herds at this time move northward, moving along the eastern part. In September, they head back, and reach December through the western lands to the south.
The rainy season makes the herbivores move to Masai Mara - there are fresh pastures there. If there is no rain, then the plains in the north become almost deserts. And this happens all the time - the inhabitants of the Serengeti park (Africa) chase long distances for food, risking their lives all the time.
Conditions for tourists
The national park has all the conditions for a comfortable pastime of tourists. A large number of hotels, campsites and campgrounds provide the convenience of visitors. There are restaurants in the park where you can have a tasty, satisfying and inexpensive meal. A great time to visit this park is the dry season. Then tourists can see firsthand how the life of predators proceeds. During the wet season, it is possible to see how the herd of ungulate animals migrates.
It is worth noting that a visit to the Serengeti will not leave anyone indifferent and for a long time will provide the emotions of even the most sophisticated tourists.