5 once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the Serengeti

Unquestionably, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is the best place to go to see beautiful African landscapes full of wildlife, and watch the sun set over Acacia trees in the distance. Here are some once-in-a-lifetime activities that can make your trip even more unforgettable.

1

Take a full-day safari

Forget the half-day Safari, go all out and make a full day of it. A half-day safari is great, don’t get me wrong, but it limits you to where you can go and what animals you will get the chance to see. The full-day option opens up enormous areas of the Serengeti to you, giving you the opportunity to see some of the rarer animals in the park, including rhino’s, leopards, elephants, lions and many more.

2

Do a bush walk with the Masaai

Serengeti National Park has a lot of regulations about setting foot outside of a vehicle or property because it's the wilderness and there could be wild animals anywhere, at any time. If you want to explore the flora and fauna of the Serengeti on foot, a guided Bush Walk with a Masaai person is a must. It will give you the opportunity to escape a vehicle and experience the landscape and watch wildlife on your own two feet. Multiple armed guides are present for your safety.

3

Go for a hot air balloon sunrise safari

I loved the sensation of drifting silently over the Serengeti as the sun crested the horizon in the distance. The silence was only broken by the occasional roar of the flame in the balloon and the shutter buttons on cameras. You’ll fly a few feet off the ground before soaring thousands of feet in to the sky, looking down on zebras, giraffes, antelopes, elephants, and more. It's definitely worth the 4am wake up!

4

Swim in front of elephants

One of the wildest experiences you can have in the Serengeti is to swim in the comfort of your hotel pool, just meters away from elephants taking a drink at a watering hole. During the mid day heat, many animals visit the watering hole to cool off and quench their thirst, but the elephants take a particular liking to it, visiting at least five times a day. Put on your bathing suit, jump in the pool with a cocktail from the bar, and watch these majestic animals. You’ll have to stay at the stunning Four Seasons Serengeti to make this one happen!

5

Have dinner in the bush

If there’s one way to really add a magical experience to your Serengeti trip, its sat around a table enjoying delicious food with friends in the bush, surrounded by wildlife. My night started with wine and cocktails around a fire pit before dining at a beautifully lit table as the stars began to emerge. I heard the distant call of a zebra and the sound of hyenas nearby. It only added to the already surreal experience.

Note: Callum’s experience was provided by the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.