TOP FLIGHT English summary Number 9–10 /125/ September–October 2020
SERENGETI
NATIONAL
PARK
OBSERVATION OF MIGRATION
FROM AN AIR BALLOON
106
“Endless veldts” — this is how
the name of this park, perhaps
the most popular among tourists
in Tanzania, is translated
from the Masai language. Serengeti
is famous primarily for its
rich fauna: it is home to three
million species of various animals
and about half a thousand
species of birds, and this
is one of the most ancient and
well-preserved ecosystems
on Earth. It is especially good
to come here in October — November,
during the great migration
of ungulates. This is an unforgettable
experience: about
two million wildebeests, zebras,
gazelles and oryxes move
here from the north to catch the
rains. They are followed at tail
by predators and scavengers -
lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas
and jackals in the hope
of having a light feast - and this
hope is regularly justified.
In addition to the classic
jeep safari, it is worth flying
over the Serengeti in a hot
air balloon - huge open savannahs
with a minimum of vegetation
provide excellent opportunities
for observing animals that
have nowhere to hide from human
sight. The park is especially
beautiful at dawn.
The Serengeti is a home not
only for animals, but also for
people: the tribes of the Masai,
Sukuma, Ikoma, Kuria have lived
on this land since ancient times.
The culture of these peoples
is reflected on the premises of
the park - for example, here you
can see the famous rock painting
of the Masai and the ruins
of the old Ikoma settlement.