Last updated 11 August 2026 · 12 min read
The Serengeti works as five distinct regions. Each has its own airstrip, its own camps, its own season and its own personality. Choosing between them is the single most important decision in a Serengeti itinerary.
The five sectors at a glance
| Sector | Prime months | Known for | Airstrip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ndutu and southern plains | December to March | Calving, cheetah on open plains | Ndutu / Kusini |
| Central, Seronera | All year | Resident lion and leopard, the Seronera river valley | Seronera |
| Western Corridor, Grumeti | May to July | Grumeti River, columns of herds moving west | Grumeti / Kirawira |
| Northern, Kogatende and Lamai | July to October | Mara River crossings, space | Kogatende |
| Lobo and the eastern woodlands | June to November | Very low vehicle numbers, kopjes | Lobo |
Ndutu and the southern plains
Short-grass plains on volcanic soil, technically straddling the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From late December to March around half a million calves are born here in a few weeks, and every predator in the ecosystem knows it. Off-road driving is permitted on the NCA side, which is why photographers love it.
Where we place guests: Masek Tented Lodge and Safari Haven Migration Camp.
Central Serengeti, Seronera
The reliable heart of the park. Permanent water in the Seronera river valley holds resident lion prides and one of Africa's better leopard populations year round. It is also the busiest sector, so mornings start early and we work the side loops rather than the main road.
Where we place guests: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Sametu Camp, Lala Salama, and the Seronera public campsite on camping trips.
Western Corridor and Grumeti
A finger of park reaching towards Lake Victoria. From May into July the herds funnel through here and face the Grumeti River and its very large crocodiles. Greener, more wooded, and far fewer vehicles than the north in season.
Northern Serengeti, Kogatende and Lamai
The crossing country. Between July and October the herds move back and forth across the Mara River, sometimes several times in a week. The Lamai wedge north of the river is one of the emptiest beautiful places in Tanzania. This is where our fly-in migration trips sleep.
Where we place guests: Safari Haven Migration Camp.
Lobo and the east
Rolling hills, granite kopjes, big skies and almost no traffic. Good resident game and superb for guests who have done Seronera before and want silence.
Choose by month
| Month | Sleep here |
|---|---|
| December to March | Ndutu / southern plains |
| April to May | Central Seronera, low season pricing |
| May to July | Western Corridor, then start moving north |
| July to October | Northern Serengeti, Kogatende |
| November | Central and eastern Serengeti as herds return south |
Combining sectors
Most seven-day itineraries pair one migration sector with central Seronera. Driving between sectors is a half day of game viewing rather than dead time, but between Seronera and Kogatende it is five to six hours, so we either allow the full day or fly the leg.
“People book the Serengeti. Guides book a sector. Tell me your month first and I will tell you which gate we should be driving through.”
Ready to turn this into a trip?
FAQ
Which part of the Serengeti is best?+
It depends entirely on your month. Ndutu from December to March, central Seronera year round, the Western Corridor from May to July, and the northern Kogatende area from July to October for the Mara River crossings.
Where do the river crossings happen?+
On the Mara River in the northern Serengeti around Kogatende and the Lamai wedge, from roughly July to October. There are also Grumeti River crossings in the Western Corridor from May to July.
Which sector is least crowded?+
Lobo and the eastern woodlands, followed by the Lamai wedge north of the Mara River. Central Seronera is the busiest, especially between 8am and 10am on the main circuits.
Can I do off-road driving in the Serengeti?+
Not inside the national park. It is permitted in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is one reason calving-season photography trips base there.
Where is the best place to see leopards?+
The Seronera river valley in the central Serengeti, where the sausage trees and permanent water hold a dense resident population.
