National Park
Serengeti
Endless plains and the greatest wildlife show on earth
- Size
- About 14,750 km²
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Known for
- Migration, lions, leopards, cheetahs
- From Arusha
- About 8 hours by road, or a domestic flight
- Best time
- June to October; Jan to Feb for calving
Tanzania's most famous park: open grassland, acacia-dotted savannah, big cats, and the seasonal movement of wildebeest and zebra that follows the rains.
Wildlife and nature
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Hippo
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Giraffe
- Hyena
- Black rhino (rare)
Sightings depend on season, location, and chance. None are guaranteed.
Highlights
Seronera and the central plains
The central Serengeti is a dependable base for predators, with leopards along the Seronera River and lions on the kopjes.
The Great Migration
Herds of wildebeest and zebra circle the ecosystem through the year. Where they are depends on the rains, so we plan from current seasonal information.
Southern plains in calving season
From roughly January to February the short-grass plains fill with newborn wildebeest, and predators follow.
Northern Serengeti and the Mara River
From about July to October, herds move north, and river crossings can sometimes be seen. Timing varies year to year.
Things to do
- Game drives
- Photography
- Sunrise and sunset drives
- Optional balloon safari, where available
When to go
- June to October
- Dry season. Wildlife gathers near water and is easier to spot. Northern river crossings are possible from about July.
- November to December
- Short rains. Greener scenery and herds heading south.
- January to February
- Calving season on the southern plains.
- March to May
- Long rains. Quieter, lush, and some roads are slower.
Good to know
- Allow at least two nights, and three or more if you want to move between areas.
- Choose lodge or camp location from where the herds are expected, not just from price.
- Pack layers: dawn game drives are cool and dusty.
More parks to explore
Ready to see Serengeti? Tell us your dates and group size and we will prepare a quotation.