Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti ecosystem spans 12,000 square miles of savanna, woodland, and grassland, constituting one of Earth's oldest and most biologically diverse ecosystems. Its name comes from the Maasai language, meaning 'endless plains.' The park's defining spectacle is the Great Migration—an annual circular journey of approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 350,000 gazelles following seasonal rains in search of fresh grazing. This massive movement creates dramatic river crossings where crocodiles await and attracts the attention of the Serengeti's impressive predator populations, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Beyond the migration, the park's diverse habitats support over 500 bird species and numerous other mammals. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem represents one of the few places where natural wildlife patterns continue largely as they have for millions of years, offering visitors a glimpse into primeval Africa.