Serengeti Overview
The Serengeti is a geographical region located in north-western Tanzania and extends to south-western Kenya. It spans nearly 30,000 kilometers. Approximately 70 larger mammal and some 500 fauna species are found there. This high diversity in terms of species is a function of diverse habitats ranging from riverine forests, swamps, grasslands and woodlands
Kopjes
The Serengeti plain is highlighted by granite outcroppings known as kopjes. These are the result of volcanic activity. They were formed when the volcanoes of the Ngorongoro highlands erupted over one million years ago, spewing ash over the southernmost third of the Serengeti to create a rich and fertile soil that produces short, sweet grass when it rains.
One example of a Kopje
The Kopjes of Eastern Africa are a refuge for life in the Serengeti of Tanzania and Kenya. Where the soil is too hard to support tree life in large areas, soil trapped by Kopjes can be dense with trees while the surrounding land contains only short grass. Hollows in the rock surfaces provide catchments for rainwater. Many animals have adapted to the use of Kopjes, which include the lion, hyrax, and an abundance of bird and reptile life. One kopje likely to be seen by visitors to the Serengeti is the Simba Kopje (Lion Kopje) which was used as the inspiration for the Disney Lion King movie.
Assignment
1. Take a photo of a Kopje in the Serengeti. Note that the coordinate are for a random spot in the Serengeti and you should look for a Kopje during your safari.
2. Send me an e-mail with an approximate measurement for height and length
3. In your log give the coordinates to the Kopje in your photo and describe any noticeable animals or plants using it as a home. Please view them from afar and follow the instructions of your guide - do not approach wild animals.