Serengeti National Park (Serengeti) is located in Tanzania, best known for its abundance of animals and the great wildebeest migration.
The Serengeti stretches 14,763 (5,700 sq miles) stretching North to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the West.
Serengeti has the highest concentration of large mammals on this planet and its famous known for its 2,500 Lions the largest concentration found anywhere. The park also has over 518 identified bird species where some of them are Eurasian migrants who are present in the European winter months from October to April.
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Accommodation: There is a wide range of places to stay in the Serengeti Ecosystem.
Distance: With the Serengeti only 335 km (208 miles) from Arusha it is still a very long drive due to the roads. If you are driving to the Serengeti National Park it is recommended to stop off on the way. We would like to point out that if you are interested in visiting the Ngorongoro Crater on the way, it is best to get to the rim the afternoon before and then spend the whole next day in the Crater.
Best time to visit: Following the Wildebeest migration from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve, the best time is December to July and to see the predators the best time is June to October.
Recommended number of days: Due to the amount to be seen in the reserve it’s recommendable to have three or four day’s safari. If you are interested in photography, the longer you stay the better chances you have to get the ultimate photos.
Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Great Wildebeest Migration, Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-do for first-time and returning safari goers alike.
Translated from the Maa language as ‘the land that moves on forever’, the Serengeti’s vast rolling grasslands and golden savannah give travellers a soul-stirring sense of space. Although it is most famous for supporting millions of wildebeest, there are also sizable populations of zebra, buffalo, elephant and giraffe, and myriad gazelle and antelope species. And where there are plains game aplenty, predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog are sure to follow.
From the Wildebeest Migration to incredible year-round game viewing, here are some of our best reasons to go on a safari in the Serengeti:
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the last mass terrestrial animal movements left on the planet, and the main reason why so many wildlife enthusiasts visit the Serengeti – especially at mid-year. Watching herds of biblical proportions move across the plains will stir your soul unlike anything else. It truly is one of Mother Nature’s greatest spectacles! The herds undergo challenges and hardships as they move from region to region, constantly under attack from predators like Africa’s big cats and the notoriously huge crocodiles that lie in wait at river crossing points.
Such is the density of wildlife in the Serengeti that it provides a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of year you visit. Although some of the wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate to fresh grazing, not all do and none of the predators move with the herds either. The open plains, wide grasslands and temperate climate mean that the vegetation is never too thick to spot animals, and the weather is very seldom too inclement to venture out.
The Serengeti is a bucket-list destination and many first-time visitors to East Africa want to tick it off. But the incredible diversity of wildlife and extraordinary accommodations also make the it a suitable safari destination for those who’ve travelled to Africa many times before. Private and romantic camps deliver incredible honeymoon vacations in Africa, while family-friendly lodges offer fun and age-appropriate safari activities for kids. More and more lodges now offer vegetarian and vegan meals to accommodate those with special dietary requirements. Many camps are also branching out into other safari activities like mountain biking, horse riding and even archery.
At almost 15 000 square kilometres (5 790 square miles), the Serengeti is an enormous park with distinct regions that each offer a different game viewing experience. You will need to choose carefully where and when to go on a safari in the Serengeti, especially if you want to see the annual Wildebeest Migration. The herds move in a clockwise direction around the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem (roughly the size of South Carolina) and their concentrations are dictated by the seasons, available water and fresh grazing.
SERENGETI MAP HERE
If you’re looking for great year-round game viewing combined with away-from-the-crowds luxury accommodation, we recommend the privately owned Grumeti Reserve. It borders the western Serengeti and lies directly on the Wildebeest Migration’s path, giving you front-row seats to all the action. It’s a quiet reserve with few safari camps and lodges but plenty of plains game and predators like lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena and crocodile.
With over 400 recorded species, the Grumeti region is also great for birding. Its riverine forest is a good place to spot colobus monkeys. And since Grumeti is a private reserve, visitors at the area’s lodges can go on guided nature walks and night game drives – activities not usually allowed in the Serengeti National Park
Characterised by rolling, tree-studded grassy plains, this is the most accessible part of the Serengeti National Park, which means it can get a little busy during the high season (about July to October).
From about November to March, colossal herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move into the southern Serengeti to graze on fresh grass and give birth. This means that the predators, especially lion, leopard and cheetah, take every opportunity to hunt easy prey.
The heart of the Serengeti National Park delivers superb game viewing throughout the year and is home to a great selection of safari camps and lodges. The area offers good access to all the Wildebeest Migration hotspots and supports a high density of plains game, leopard, cheetah and lion.
The region’s Seronera River Valley creates a natural boundary between the grassy plains of the south and the wooded hills of the north, making it one of the richest ecosystems in the Serengeti. Lion and cheetah are common here, and leopard sightings occur regularly.
A region of diverse habitats and a broad range of wildlife, the Eastern Serengeti is a popular pit stop during the Wildebeest Migration calving season (between February and March). The area generally sees fewer tourists than the rest of the national park and delivers excellent big cat sightings, especially cheetah.
The Grumeti River runs through the Serengeti’s Western Corridor and is home to gigantic Nile crocodiles and hippos. Convoys of wildebeest arrive on the banks of the Grumeti around May and June to kick off the Migration’s main event: the perilous river crossings.
This is one of nature’s most thrilling (and bittersweet) events to witness, as many of the valiant wildebeest are snatched by hungry crocs.
The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to February or from June to October. However, the Serengeti’s density of wildlife offers a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of the year you visit. The park’s open plains and mild climate mean that vegetation is never too dense to see animals, and the region’s two short rainy seasons from November to December and March to April are rarely too unpleasant.
January is when the rolling plains of the Serengeti are a lush shade of emerald, there is hardly any dust, and the game viewing is excellent. The Ndutu Plains area is very popular during this period as the landscape is greener than other parts, with year-round resident wildlife such as elephant, giraffe, and various antelope species.
It’s the wildebeest calving season during February which makes this the best time to go to on a Serengeti safari to witness the many herds giving birth to their young. The wildebeest, zebra and gazelles making their annual migration through the Serengeti National Park can be viewed in their thousands.
March marks the end of the green season as the ‘long rains’ begin. The Serengeti enters a low season period when there are less safari crowds, and the migratory herds begin to leave the Ndutu region in the south and head west. The humidity rises during March, but this is the best time to go to the Serengeti for great rates on accommodation.
The Serengeti starts to see fewer visitors around April, which is mostly due to the humidity and wet weather during the month. It’s not generally considered the best time to visit the Serengeti, but it can be an ideal time to get off the beaten track and explore the remote corners of the park.
There is very heavy rainfall throughout May and the camps and lodges in the Serengeti are relatively quiet. This is not the best time to visit the Serengeti for a safari unless you make your way to the central and western regions of the park to follow the Great Migration.
June is the start of the popular dry season and is the best time to go to the Serengeti just before the peak safari season. This is when the Great Migration starts moving north, the dry conditions prevail across the land, and there is a slim chance of occasional afternoon thundershowers.
Many visitors flock to the Serengeti from July to September to witness the Great Migration. River crossings are a spectacle during these months – quite often panic ensues within the herds as crocodiles waiting to pounce attempt to snatch them as they make their way across. There are more safari vehicles in the Serengeti National Park during this period than any time of the year.
August is peak season and generally considered the best time to witness the dramatic river crossings from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara. This is the best time to visit the Serengeti for prolific wildlife encounters as the herds are easier to spot and there are many predators around – you’ll see some of Africa’s big cats on the hunt!
September is still very busy with visitors in the Serengeti National Park, especially on the Kenyan and Tanzania borders as the herds of animals travel over the Mara River in smaller batches. The southern parts of the park are quieter during September.
By October the plains of the Serengeti are mostly parched, but the dry season is now coming to an end. Although the Wildebeest Migration’s herds have made their way into Kenya, game viewing in the Serengeti National Park is still nothing short of spectacular.
November is the beginning of the ‘short rains’ in the Serengeti National Park and is a quieter, low season. The rains bring fresh grasslands for grazing in the southern areas and it’s a good time to take advantage of lower rates.
The rains continue and the scenery changes from dry dusty plains to rolling grasslands. The cycle of the Great Migration in the Serengeti continues in December. The migrating herds make their way to the southern plains of the Ndutu region where they prepare for the breeding season. The temperatures and the humidity begin to rise for the wet summer months. The festive season can be very busy, so it’s advisable to book your accommodation well in advance.
Tanzania boasts some of the world’s most iconic safari destinations, offering an unforgettable experience for adventure lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a peaceful escape in the wild. From the Serengeti’s vast plains to the Ngorongoro Crater’s diverse wildlife, each destination promises incredible wildlife sightings, breathtaking landscapes, and a deep connection with nature. Explore the top safari spots in Tanzania with us.
Along Mailimoja Rd Soweto, Moshi.
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