Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park: A Safari Experience Like No Other

The Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s most iconic destinations. Known for its vast plains and incredible wildlife, it draws thousands of visitors each year. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a unique glimpse into the natural world, making it a must-visit for safari enthusiasts.

Wildlife of the Serengeti

The Serengeti is home to an impressive variety of animals. Lions, elephants, cheetahs, and wildebeests roam freely across the park’s expansive grasslands. Additionally, birdwatchers can spot over 500 bird species, from colorful lilac-breasted rollers to majestic eagles. One of the park’s main highlights is the Great Migration. Every year, millions of wildebeests and zebras journey across the plains in search of fresh grass and water. This natural spectacle attracts tourists from around the globe, offering unforgettable moments for nature lovers.

Activities in the Serengeti

Visitors can choose from a wide range of activities to explore the park:

Game Drives: Experience up-close encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat.
Balloon Safaris: Soar above the plains at sunrise for breathtaking views.
Guided Walks: Learn about the Serengeti’s ecosystem from experienced guides.

Each activity provides a unique way to connect with the park’s beauty and wildlife.

When to Visit

The best time to visit the Serengeti depends on what you want to see. The Great Migration is most active between June and October. During this period, the weather is dry, and animals are easier to spot. However, the rainy season from November to May brings lush landscapes and newborn animals, making it equally enchanting.

Why Visit the Serengeti?

The Serengeti National Park is more than just a safari destination. It offers an unforgettable experience for travelers who seek adventure, beauty, and a deep connection with nature. Whether you’re watching lions hunt, enjoying a sunrise from a hot-air balloon, or marveling at the Great Migration, the Serengeti promises memories that will last a lifetime.

Short Grass Plains
Long grass plains
Seronera Valley
Western Corridor
Lobo and Northern Serengeti

Short grass plains

The short grass plains stretch east of the Naabi Hill gate and nearly reach the Olduvai Gorge within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. These sweeping plains are covered by short grasses that completely wither during the dry season. Along the northern edges, you’ll find granite kopjes, rocky outcrops that create unique habitats for various species.

At the border of the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies Lake Ndutu, surrounded by acacia forests. This area hosts accommodations and campsites, offering a base for activities like walking safaris along the lake shore with Ngorongoro Conservation Area rangers.

Wildlife Highlights

From late December to mid-January, the short grass plains come alive as the wildebeest herds gather to give birth. Nearly 400,000 calves are born within two weeks in February—a remarkable survival strategy that overwhelms predators. By mid-May, depending on the rains, the herds split into smaller groups and begin their westward migration in columns up to 40 kilometers long.

This migration offers some of the best game viewing in the world. Massive herds of wildebeests are joined by predators such as lions and cheetahs, creating unparalleled wildlife encounters.

Seasons

December to February

The busiest season, especially during the wildebeest calving in late February. Accommodations and campsites fill quickly, so plan ahead.

March to May

Fewer visitors but excellent game viewing. April can be very wet, yet the experience is still worthwhile.

June to November

Dry and dusty with fewer animals. Small groups of gazelle and occasional cheetahs can be spotted, but other areas of the park are more rewarding during this time.

Long grass plains

The long grass plains stretch west of the Naabi Hill gate, reaching nearly to the Seronera Valley in the center of Serengeti National Park and southward to lightly forested hills along the park’s southwestern border. This area is characterized by vast, treeless plains with waist-high grass, creating a unique and striking landscape.

The plains are dotted with granite outcrops, such as the Moru Kopjes and Simba Kopjes, which serve as island habitats amidst the grassy expanse. Another unique feature is the termite mounds, which provide shelter for smaller mammals like bat-eared foxes and mongooses. These mounds are often used as lookout points by topi hartebeest, whose distinctive beige coats and deep blue-black markings make them a signature species of the long grass plains.

Unlike wildebeest, topi do not need to compete for resources in this region. They are more assertive than their shy cousins, the Kongoni hartebeest, who occasionally use the termite mounds but less habitually.

This region is also home to a small population of black rhinos—about 17 as of 2009. These critically endangered animals are under 24-hour guard, but with a bit of luck, visitors may spot one, especially near the Moru Kopjes.

Seasons

Early November to February

Special campsites near the Moru Kopjes offer excellent access to the migrating animals as they move toward the short grass plains.

Mid May to late June

Campsites near the Moru Kopjes are perfectly situated for general game viewing as the migration moves westward.

July to October

Wildlife activity shifts north and west, making this area less rewarding for game viewing during this time. However, black rhinos can still be spotted year-round.

Seronera Valley

The Seronera Valley, located at the geometric center of Serengeti National Park, offers the best year-round game viewing in the region. This diverse area features a mix of acacia riverine habitats and red-oat grasslands, with lightly wooded Nyaraswiga and Mukoma Hills to the east and south.

The valley is renowned for its abundant wildlife, thanks to its crossroads position on the migration route and the presence of several permanent watercourses. This makes it one of the most rewarding areas for wildlife sightings in the Serengeti. Lions and leopards are frequently spotted here with little effort, earning Seronera its reputation as a predator hotspot.

For those traveling north along the road to Lobo, the Seronera Valley is the only place in the Serengeti where you’re likely to see hippopotamuses lounging in the waterways.

Seasons

All Year Round

Seronera offers exceptional game viewing throughout the year. However, during the wet season, longer grass may make spotting wildlife slightly more challenging.

Western Corridor

The Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park stretches from the long grass plains near the Naabi Hill gate to the Seronera Valley in the center of the park. This area is defined by expansive treeless plains with waist-high grass, lightly forested hills, and ranges forming the park’s southwestern border.

A standout feature of the Western Corridor is the Grumeti River, which attracts diverse wildlife during the dry season. The river is also famous for its massive Nile crocodiles, often seen basking on the banks or hunting wildebeest during the migration.

The Moru Kopjes and Simba Kopjes, granite outcrops within the plains, provide unique island habitats for various animals. Termite mounds are scattered across the landscape, offering shelter for smaller mammals like bat-eared foxes and lookout points for species such as the topi hartebeest.

This area also hosts a diverse array of predators and grazers. Notably, it is an important stop on the Great Migration, as wildebeest and zebra traverse the region, particularly from June to mid-July. While access during the wet season is challenging, the dry season brings spectacular game viewing opportunities along the Grumeti River.

Seasons

Early November to early May

During the short rains in November, many roads in this area become impassable, making access difficult. Game is scarce and hard to find due to these conditions.

Early June to mid July

This is the prime time to visit as the wildebeest migration passes through the region. Game viewing along the Grumeti River is exceptional during this period.

Late July to October

While game viewing remains good, long distances between wildlife hotspots may not justify short stays of one or two nights.

Lobo and the Northern Serengeti

The northern Serengeti, stretching from the Seronera Valley to the Lobo Hills and Bologonja Gate, is a breathtaking region of rolling uplands. This area features a mix of bushland, sparse woodlands, and open plains, interspersed with rugged hills and striking kopjes. Several rivers, including the Grumeti River, flow through this region, creating lush habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.

The northern Serengeti is particularly notable for its elephants, which are more frequently seen here than in other parts of the park. During the dry months, their impact on the woodlands is evident. The rivers are lined with gallery forests, including impressive fig and mahogany trees.

Birdwatchers will be thrilled by the region’s diverse birdlife, featuring vibrant species like Hartlaub’s Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, and African Fish Eagles. Unique mammals, such as the mountain reedbuck, oribi, and Patas monkey, add to the distinctiveness of this area.

Seasons

July through to November

The Great Migration reaches the northern Serengeti in late July, with some herds settling near the Bologonja area while others cross into Kenya. By mid-October, the herds begin their journey south along the park’s eastern side toward the short grass plains.

December through to May

Resident wildlife remains plentiful in the northern Serengeti, but the focus of the migration shifts to the short grass plains in the south, where the majority of action takes place.