Tanzania is synonymous with the mighty Serengeti National Park, home to one of the world's greatest land migrations comprising a melee of approximately two million blue wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles chasing the rains and greener pastures. Here's why a Serengeti safari offers a regenerative escape in Africa.
Thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle on their epic Serengeti migration, Image Credit: Singita
The Serengeti Migration
As the transitional October month rolls around, the herbivores get antsy. Instinctually, they're getting restless and ready to move southward in search of pastures for their lambs in the southern Ndutu plains of the Serengeti National Park, the intended destination of the summer season.
A wall of hooves and heels crashes across the Kenyan border from the Maasai Mara National Reserve into Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.
The Mara River Crossing
These gutsy antelope, driven by raw intuition and burning thirst, run the gauntlet of crossing the Mara River and its tributaries to their seasonal pasturelands. In the shallows of the ribbons of water, giant Nile crocodiles lie in wait for their unsuspecting prey to put a hoof wrong.
Meanwhile, on the banks, there are stealthy, camouflaged big cats of the savannah flanking the riverine landscape. Lion, leopard, and cheetah shadow the vast column of hooves, horns, and hides, picking off the weak and injured. They, in turn, are followed closely by nature's cleanup crew – jackals, hyenas, vultures, and marabou storks who make a meal out of slim pickings after the kingly predators have gorged themselves.
Life is characterised by alertness and seizing opportunities. Fascinating stories unfold in the margins of this remarkable ecosystem as on the main stage of the short grass savannah plains.
It's a giant leap of faith as wildebeest brave the Mara River, with predators lying in wait, Image Credit: Mara Bushtops Camp
Serengeti Northern Safari Circuit
This typical scene unfolds in the northern circuit of Tanzania's safari circuit: Serengeti National Park. Usually combined with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro National Park, and Tarangire National Park. The latter park is best known for its dry-season migration, which sees many elephants.
Serengeti Southern Safari Circuit
A trail less trodden is the southern safari circuit featuring vast parks with more seclusion: Nyerere National Park (previously Selous National Park) is excellent for adventurous people keen on walking, camping, and boating.
Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania's most prominent conservation parks. The Great Ruaha River is essential for wildlife and is part of a hydroelectric power scheme. Access to rare encounters with chimpanzees and Tanzania's endemic species are standout aspects of this seasonal circuit.
Experience majestic predators, big and small, in Ruaha National Park
Entry Points and Extensions
Arusha or Kilimanjaro mark your entry point in the safari circuit. If you're extending to include Zanzibar, you'd likely take a bush prop plane and connect in Dar es Salaam for your beach holiday.
You can combine a Great Migration safari with gorilla trekking in Rwanda in the Serengeti Grumeti Reserves. Several exceptional lodges and camps offer this experience, and for those seeking a minimal environmental impact, mobile camping close to nature is an excellent choice.
How Modern Travellers Define Luxury
Luxury is a personal experience, varying from one individual to another. For some, it might mean the finest linens and attentive service. By contrast, it signifies complete privacy and exclusivity for others, such as having an entire lodge or safari vehicle to oneself.
To us, luxury means a front-row seat to nature’s wonders, Image Credit: Dunia
Embracing Regenerative Safaris
The concept of regenerative safaris is gaining popularity. Embraced by some luxury safari outfitters, giving back more than what you take when visiting a country is becoming a mainstream concept. An outstanding, impactful safari should satisfy conservation measures, preserve the local culture, care for the local community's well-being, and ensure sound business practices and commercial prosperity.
Singita Grumeti
Singita Grumeti focuses on restoring and protecting the Serengeti ecosystem through the Grumeti Fund.
- Wildlife Conservation: Efforts to combat poaching and restore wildlife populations, including reintroducing critically endangered species like the Eastern Black Rhino
- Community Development: Programs that support local communities through education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture
- Environmental Sustainability: Projects aimed at habitat restoration, such as controlling invasive species and managing wildfires
The Grumeti Fund team in action, restoring and protecting the Serengeti, Image Credit: Grumeti Fund
Cherero Camp
Cherero Camp, which operates in the Musabi Plains between Seronera and the Grumeti Reserves, contributes positively to the environment and the local community.
- Eco-friendly Design: Cherero Camp is built without permanent structures, ensuring a light environmental footprint
- Community Empowerment: The camp focuses on empowering women and creating community-based change, providing opportunities for local women to take on leadership roles
- Sustainable Tourism: Guests actively partake in experiences that inform them about the importance of conservation and sustainable practices during their stay
Eco-friendly, empowering, and sustainable living in the Serengeti, Image Credit: Kantabile Afrika
Nomad Safaris
Operating in the Serengeti National Park, integral to Nomad Safaris' purpose is creating positive impacts through their safaris.
- Community Support: Initiatives that provide medical outreach, education, and support for local suppliers
- Conservation Efforts: Focus on preserving wildlife and natural habitats through sustainable tourism practices
- Cultural Preservation: Engaging with local communities to protect and celebrate their cultural heritage
Supporting communities goes hand-in-hand with conserving wildlife in the Serengeti, Image Credit: Nomad Tanzania
The Impact of Regenerative Safaris
These regenerative safaris offer unique opportunities to commune with nature while your tourism spending contributes to the Serengeti's and its communities' long-term health and sustainability.
Conscious Travel Choices
When visiting such a delicate ecosystem, it's essential to consider the impact of your presence on the environment, local communities, the visitor economy, and wildlife.
Travel consciously to protect the Serengeti’s delicate ecosystem and its communities, Image Credit: Sarah Delforge
Pointers for Achieving a Regenerative Travel Mindset
Here's what to consider when you want to adopt a regenerative travel mindset.
Minimum Three-Night Stay
To fully immerse yourself in the experience and minimise your environmental impact, consider staying for at least three nights. Doing so lets you appreciate the wildlife and contribute significantly to the local economy, minimising the housekeeping footprint.
For example, a short stay of one or two nights impacts the ecology more because of changing linen, washing, water, and energy costs instead of a changeover every three nights.
Minimise Economic Leakage
Consider your booking journey to ensure a higher percentage of your spending benefits local communities. Booking with an agent with a physical presence in Africa helps reduce economic leakage and supports sustainable development.
Give Responsibly
Engage with and contribute to the sustainability projects offered by the camp or safari outfit. Whether contributing financially, participating in conservation efforts, supporting community initiatives, or donating to local environmental programs, ensure you do so through the safari stakeholders' vetted channels in line with their ethos.
Experience the beauty of a Serengeti safari with a regenerative travel mindset, Image Credit: Singita
Embrace Africa's Wild Spirit
In the Serengeti, make every moment count on safari. In the vast expanse of the world's great grassland plains lies an allegory for living a meaningful life rather than witnessing nature's uncompromising stance first-hand. It is an epic produced by Mother Nature, and as the credits roll, the takeaway message is profound: make the most of every breath.
Your travel can have a positive impact, and it's all about how you approach it. Let Rhino Africa plan your impactful journey to this remarkable continent.
