The Serengeti of Tanzania: Africa's Garden of Eden

The East African country of Tanzania is home to one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth, the Serengeti. Often described as Africa’s “Garden of Eden”, the Serengeti is a savannah ecosystem teeming with wildlife and dramatic landscapes that have remained unchanged for millennia. The park’s name derives from the Maasai word Siringet, which means “the place where the land runs on forever”—and it’s an apt description.  

As the Serengeti’s rich biodiversity includes the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), the Garden of Eden is a top destination for African safaris—particularly as it stages the Great Migration. The landscapes are equally captivating, with endless golden grasslands dotted with acacia trees and kopjes (rocky outcrops) stretching as far as the eye can see. 

Africa’s “Garden of Eden” and the Great Migration

Covering approximately 11,600 square miles (30,000 square kilometers) and extending into Kenya as the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti is most famous for hosting the Great Migration. This year-round event sees over 1.5 million wildebeest—along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles—traverse the plains in a never-ending cycle in search of fresh grazing. 

January through March is the calving season in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu Plains). As close to 500,000 calves are born, predators such as lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles become particularly active. April and May are known as the Long Rains, with herds migrating further north as grass becomes sparse. June and July is particularly thrilling as swarms of wildebeest and other hooved creatures cross the crocodile-infested Grumeti River. This continues through September as they continue north through the Mara River and into the northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. 

From October, the herds resume their journey south, eventually resettling in the southern Serengeti in time to resume the calving period.

Fostering connections with the Maasai people 

Beyond taking a safari, visiting the Serengeti provides a unique opportunity to connect with the culture of the Maasai people who have coexisted with this landscape for centuries, living a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The Maasai people are also pastoralists, which means their lives are intertwined with the practice of cattle farming. They practice a monotheistic religion centered around the androgynous deity, Enkai (or Engai), who is associated with fertility, weather, and rain. 

Visiting a local village offers a window into the traditions and culture of the Maasai people firsthand, with opportunities to watch traditional dances, join in a storytelling experience, or learn beading techniques.

Safari accommodations in the Serengeti 

Accommodation options in the Serengeti range from luxurious tented camps and eco-lodges to more rustic bush camps. Thoughtfully integrated into the landscape, these lodges offer immersive experiences such as bush dinners, hot air balloon safaris, and guided nature walks with Maasai guides eager to share their deep knowledge of the land.

A journey to the Garden of Eden goes beyond a vacation; this is a deep encounter with the untamed beauty of the East African wilderness. Contact Darby at Darby’s Destinations when you are ready to book your trip to the Serengeti.