One Of The World's Most Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries Is A Spectacular Tanzania National Park

Africa, the world's second-largest continent, is brimming with bucket list destinations that everyone needs to experience at least once. Nowhere else can you stargaze in a desert Bedouin camp, cruise past ancient riverside temples, swim in a pool atop a waterfall, canoe through a flooded delta, or climb the largest free-standing mountain in the world (Mount Kilimanjaro). And this is just the tip of the iceberg — with incredible cultural experiences, tumultuous history, idyllic islands, and mysterious pink lakes, the diversity of Africa is staggering. 

One of the reasons many are drawn to Africa and countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa is for a safari. Once a favored activity for hunters, this attraction is now primarily for wildlife viewers and photographers, especially with the rise of conservation and the dwindling of native animal populations. Tanzania is especially ideal for a safari since over 40% of the country is characterized as protected lands like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. One of Tanzania's national parks is also one of the most famous in Africa: Serengeti National Park. 

When you think safari, you're thinking Serengeti: The two words are essentially synonymous at this point. Of course, there are plenty of other options for a safari in Africa, but Serengeti National Park has a reputation as a safari superstar for a reason. Technically, it's five reasons, as in the African 'Big Five' — lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African/Cape buffalo; all can be spotted here. The Big Five — originally christened such due to their difficulty to hunt on foot — are every Serengeti visitor's best wish, although now most of the shooting happens with a camera. 

The Serengeti is also home to the lesser-known 'Small Five' (antlions, rhinoceros beetles, buffalo weavers, elephant shrews, and leopard tortoises) and the 'Ugly Five' (hyenas, vultures, Marabou storks, wildebeest, and warthogs). The grasslands are famous for the massive wildebeest migration, which occurs annually between May and October, making it the best time of the year to go on an African safari.

A high chance of seeing some truly spectacular animals, like the Big Five (or Small or Ugly Five), as well as cheetahs, giraffes, and more, makes the Serengeti an ideal place for any adventurer hoping to see some of Tanzania's incredibly unique flora and fauna. The giant, open plains, known as the African savanna, make the Serengeti ideal for wildlife spotting. Trees (like the umbrella acacia) that you may see dotting the landscape are almost as iconic as the park itself and help make the Serengeti an enduring symbol of Africa around the world.

Not only is the Serengeti home to the Big Five, but it also features incredible adventures and some of the best luxury safari tours in Tanzania (and Africa in general). Lodging runs the gamut from the most basic accommodations to seriously luxe glamping set-ups. Comfort and safety are key, but so is choosing a responsible tour that respects the wildlife, land, and culture while providing income for the local community. 

You could spend hours searching for the Big Five (and you will), but there are plenty of other things to fill your time in the Serengeti. Nearby, visit the world's largest unflooded and unbroken caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater, take a few days to climb Kilimanjaro (this one will require a bit more planning), or see the wildebeest migration — from a safe distance. Visit a local Maasai Mara village to (respectfully) discover their ancient traditions, and see the origins of man in Olduvai Gorge. A new type of safari, a hot balloon safari, is an incredible way to get a different view of the Serengeti, sometimes at sunrise. 

It can be tempting to focus only on finding the Big Five, giraffes, or cheetahs, but don't forget that visiting the Serengeti is really about the journey. Just being there in the quintessential landscape is remarkable enough, whether or not you check an elephant or an elephant shrew off your list. However you choose to discover the Serengeti, one thing is certain: It'll be the trip of a lifetime.