Sight · Serengeti National Park
A ringing kopje boulder beside Maasai rock art in Moru
Overview
Gong Rock is a quirky stop in the Moru Kopjes: a granite boulder that rings with a metallic, bell‑like tone when struck. Its surface carries hammered indents from past use, hinting at a long cultural story tied to the area.
Beyond the sonic novelty, Moru Kopjes is classic Serengeti kopje country. The area concentrates wildlife and is noted for a small, closely protected black rhino population—sightings are never guaranteed, but this is where they live. Predators like lions and leopards work the surrounding grasslands and rocky outcrops.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy it’s worth your timeMap
Local know-how
Use restrooms at Naabi Hill Gate or in the Seronera area before driving to Moru.
Bring plenty of water—there are no taps or shops at Gong Rock.
Expect slow, rocky tracks and no signed trailhead; allow extra drive time.
Visit with your guide and avoid touching the nearby rock paintings.
If Migration viewing is a priority, target July–November for Central/Western routes.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Serengeti Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Serengeti National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Serengeti audio tourRecorded for this place
Gong Rock: The Serengeti's Ringing Boulder“You're coming up to a unique cultural spot known as Gong Rock, located within the Moru Kopjes. It's a large granite boulder that, when struck, rings with a surprisingly clear, metallic tone.”
Plays as you drive up to Gong Rock in the Parkwolf Serengeti Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
You’ll find it in the Moru Kopjes of central/south‑central Serengeti, roughly northwest of Naabi Hill Gate and near the Mbalageti River. It’s typically a short walk from where vehicles pull off the track to visit the rock paintings and the “gong” itself.
There’s no formal lot or signed trailhead—your guide will nose into a small pull‑out and you’ll walk a few minutes to the rock. Roads are rocky and slow. Don’t expect water, shops, or restrooms at the site; plan your breaks at gates, airstrips, or established picnic spots such as Naabi Hill or around Seronera.
Combine Gong Rock with the Maasai rock art in Moru, then swing through the Seronera River Valley for prime predator viewing. If you’ve got time, Retina Hippo Pool is a memorable (and pungent) add‑on, and during July–November the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor can see dramatic Migration moments.
Wildlife
645 sightingsLionMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
234 sightingsLeopardMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
273 sightingsCheetahMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
542 sightingsElephantMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
132 sightingsCape BuffaloMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
190 sightingsWildebeestMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Serengeti. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Parkwolf’s Serengeti ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
