How Lupita Nyong’o’s Maiden Visit To Serengeti Felt Like

When Oscar-award winning Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o arrived in Kenya sometime in March, it was evident that she was on a traveling streak that took her to the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Over the Easter weekend, Lupita crossed borders to experience life on the other side of the Mara; the Serengeti National Park.  A bubbly Lupita was thrilled by life in the wild and did not hold back posting an amazing image of her and a huge African elephant in the background.

“This is not a zoom background, I promise! #elphie in the Serengeti,” she posted. Lupita shared every detail of her visit to the Serengeti National Park including elaborate COVID-19 protocols which she had to abide by before getting into the wild side of the Serengeti.

Read more: All About The Lions Of The Serengeti In Tanzania

Tanzania has upped its game in matters COVID-19 following reports of a deadly surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the country for the past few months.

Apparently, Lupita is part of a project; ‘Serengeti’, a Discovery series where she plays a huge role as a narrator. At least six episodes have been shot and edited.

The name Serengeti is derived from a Maasai name meaning the ‘endless plains’ which characterize the topography of the vast national park covering approximately 30,000 square kilometres.

‘Serengeti’ series will be showcasing the beauty of one of the most treasured natural ecosystems in East Africa and the whole of Africa by extension. The Serengeti brings about the intricate details of this particular ecosystem that supports Tanzania’s tourism sector greatly.

It is part of the heritage of Tanzania that it has fought to preserve for years on end. Some of the world’s most iconic animals can be found here. The Serengeti is an eye-candy not just for Tanzania but the world as it supports the Great Migration every year.

The Great Migration sees at least two million wildebeest cross over to the Serengeti from July to October from the Maasai Mara in Kenya. The wildebeest’s migration is inspired by the availability of pasture.

In 2019, revered actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett visited the Serengeti for a Nat Geo shoot.

Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s renowned wildlife sanctuaries with thousands of game spread across the grass-ridden plains of the park.

Also read: Idris Elba And His Better Half Sabrina Exploring The Serengeti

Its history dates back to 1952 when it was established and is today’s home to the big five and a wildebeest migration spectacle in the world. Wild animals in their thousands cross over to Serengeti from Maasai Mara in Kenya between July and October. It has a population of two million animals.

Serengeti National Park is divided into three sections with the Central/Southern Serengeti area being the most popular. It is commonly referred to as Seronera Valley which is a savannah with acacia trees and enjoys a high population of wildlife. Most lodges in the Serengeti are located here.

Then there is the Western Serengeti area where the Grumeti River flows and has a dense forest and thick bushes. The Northern Serengeti area borders Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve and is, incidentally, the least visited section of the Serengeti National Park.

Also read: Queen Elizabeth To Ashanti: 11 Celebrities Who Have Visited Kenya

 

Serengeti’s ecosystem is an important feature that supports climatic conditions which augur well with the growth of vegetation in the vast forest and housing wild animals. Across the world, Serengeti has the biggest population of lions and over 500 bird species. The rivers traversing across the park have crocodile and hippo-infested.

Besides the normal game drives, Serengeti offers the option to tour the vast park via a hot air balloon or via a plane

World-famous celebrities who have toured Serengeti National Park include; Actor Idris Elba, Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, actress Oprah Winfrey, the richest man on earth Bill Gates.