Serengeti National Park
Endless plains, endless wildlife.
Best Time
Year-round; migration river crossings July–October
Region
Northern Tanzania
Area
14,750 km²
Style
Private safari
Overview
About Serengeti
The Serengeti is the stage on which the Great Migration unfolds, 1.5 million wildebeest moving in slow, ancient circles across 15,000 square kilometres of open grassland, woodland and kopjes.
The geography of the Serengeti
The Serengeti ecosystem stretches from the Ngorongoro highlands in the south, west to Lake Victoria, and north into Kenya's Maasai Mara. Inside Tanzania the park is split into four main regions: the southern short-grass plains around Ndutu, the central Seronera valley with its year-round lions and leopards, the western Grumeti corridor, and the wild northern Lobo and Kogatende sectors that host the Mara River crossings.
Following the Great Migration
1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 350,000 gazelle move clockwise around the ecosystem each year. Calving (Jan to Mar) happens on the southern plains, the herds drift west and north from May, the dramatic Grumeti and Mara river crossings unfold from June to October, and they return south on the short rains in November.
Where to stay in the Serengeti
We use a mix of permanent tented camps in Seronera and Kogatende, mobile camps that follow the herds through the year, and a handful of luxury properties on private concessions where night drives and walking safaris are allowed. We will match the camp to the season, your budget and the kind of experience you want.
Wildlife you'll see
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Leopard
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Elephant
- Giraffe
Highlights
- ✦Great Migration
- ✦Big Cat Country
- ✦Hot air balloon safaris
- ✦Mobile camps
Things to do
When to go
Calving season on the southern plains, predator action peaks.
Herds move into the Western Corridor; first Grumeti crossings.
Iconic Mara River crossings in the north.
Short rains push the herds south again.
Getting there
1-hour scheduled flight from Arusha into Seronera, Kogatende or Grumeti airstrips, or a scenic 8-hour drive via Ngorongoro.
On the map
Serengeti National Park
- 1Serengeti National Park
Insider tips
- ★If your priority is the river crossings, plan for late August to early October and stay in the north (Kogatende).
- ★For dense predator action without crowds, target February in the south during calving.
- ★A hot-air balloon flight is worth the splurge - book it for your first morning so you have a backup if weather grounds the flight.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in the Serengeti?+
Three full days is a sensible minimum to justify the flight or drive in. Five days lets you cover two regions and see the migration properly.
Are the Mara River crossings guaranteed?+
No, they are wild events. Spending three or more nights in the north between mid-August and early October gives you the best chance.
Is it safe to do a walking safari?+
Yes, on private concessions and in dedicated walking areas, always with an armed ranger and a senior guide.
Tours
Journeys that visit Serengeti
5-Day Fly in Migration Crossing Safari from Arusha
Fly into the heart of the Serengeti and witness the Mara River crossings.
7-Day Northern Circuit Classic Safari
The complete Northern Circuit, Tanzania's greatest hits in one trip.
7-Day Black Rhino Tracking Luxury Safari
A rare encounter with one of Africa's most endangered icons.
8-Day Big 5 Camping Safari & Visiting the Hadzabe
All Big 5 plus an authentic morning with the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers.
4-Day Private Camping Wakanda Special Safari
An affordable, authentic camping safari across our top three parks.
7-Day Honeymooners Comfort Safari
Romantic camps, candlelit dinners and the wild plains, just for two.
From the journal
Read about Serengeti
Safari · 9 min read
The Great Migration, month by month
The herds never stop moving. Here's where they are when.
Travel Tips · 7 min read
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
There is no single best month, only the right month for the journey you're imagining.
Travel Tips · 5 min read
A senior planner's safari packing list
Less than you think, in colours that matter.
Continue exploring
