Tanzania Destination Guide
Serengeti National Park
World-class game viewing all year round
Tanzania Destination Guide
World-class game viewing all year round
14,763 km² (5,700 mi²)
1951 (National Park) | 1981 (UNESCO WHS)
All Year-Round
Emblematic of the East African savannah, Serengeti National Park in northwest Tanzania offers an unrivaled sense of space. Its sweeping grasslands, scattered rocky kopjes, and riparian zones create a unique haven for countless animals—from lions and elephants to zebra, hyenas, and majestic ostriches. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, it is beloved worldwide for hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration: one of our planet’s most astounding wildlife events.
Yet the Serengeti is far more than just the migration. All year long, it boasts diverse resident fauna and iconic landscapes that define the African safari experience.
Often called the “Heart of the Serengeti,” the Seronera Valley teems with wildlife. The Seronera River’s water supply helps support large lion prides, shaded leopards in sausage trees, and an ever-present population of hippos, especially near Retima Hippo Pool. Seronera’s grassland also attracts cheetahs prowling for gazelles—a classic scene in the African savannah.
Famous for expansive, seemingly infinite grasslands, dotted with dramatic kopjes— rocky outcrops that serve as lookouts for predators and sunbathing spots for colorful Agama lizards. During January–February, the fertile Ndutu plains host wildebeest calving season, with a spike in predator activity. Simba (lion) and Moru Kopjes are among the best-known, harboring not only big cats but also diverse smaller inhabitants.
Following the Grumeti River almost to Lake Victoria, this area sees the migration from mid-May, featuring dramatic river crossings guarded by giant Nile crocodiles. The mixture of wooded savannah and black cotton soil can be challenging to traverse in heavy rains, yet it offers a rewarding glimpse into the migration’s westward trek.
Less visited yet incredibly scenic, Northern Serengeti’s landscape transitions to open woodlands and rolling hills. The Mara River flows here, hosting some of the most famous (and busiest) wildebeest crossings from mid-July onward, as herds push into Kenya’s Masai Mara. With fewer travelers, the northern sector can provide a quieter safari setting.
The Great Migration is often termed “the Greatest Show on Earth,” as ~1.5 million wildebeests, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, circle the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. River crossings in the Grumeti (May–June) and the Mara (July–Sept) feature dramatic predator-prey clashes with giant crocodiles waiting below.
Outside the migration, large populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, and ~530 bird species call the Serengeti home year-round. Rare species like Black Rhinos are found in certain areas, though sightings can be elusive. Regardless of season, the Serengeti’s resident wildlife ensures a classic safari experience— from newborn lion cubs around rocky kopjes to hyenas cackling at dawn.
Serengeti National Park welcomes visitors year-round with excellent game viewing. The park’s “peak season” (June–October) coincides with the dry months—wildlife sightings are easier, plus you stand a good chance to view a segment of the migration. Yet, it can be busy around iconic crossing points and prime predator zones. November to May sees short and long rains that transform the plains into a lush green haven and calm visitor numbers significantly, an attractive option for photographers and those preferring more solitude on game drives.
June to October
Peak wildlife sightings, migration, but busier
November to May
Fewer crowds, lush scenery, chance of rain
It offers the quintessential African safari. From the drama of river crossings to predator pursuits across seemingly unending horizons, the Serengeti consistently delivers iconic wildlife moments. Its UNESCO status reflects the ecological and cultural importance of preserving one of Earth’s last great migrations. Moreover, you have myriad choices in lodging— from classic tented camps to luxury lodges— enabling you to design the safari that suits your style and budget.
Game drives top the list, exploring the plains in search of lion prides, migrating herds, and hidden leopards. A hot air balloon safari at sunrise reveals breathtaking aerial views of the grasslands and roaming wildlife below. Photographic safaris are easy to arrange, with guides who position you perfectly for capturing that cheetah sprint or the intensity of a river crossing. After your drive, unwind around a campfire and share stories beneath a sky of infinite stars.
The Serengeti National Park is typically reached from Arusha, about a 7-hour drive away, though many visitors break up the journey at Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro en route. Scheduled flights from Arusha or Zanzibar land at bush airstrips—like Seronera or Kogatende— scattering you near your chosen camp or lodge. Accommodations vary widely: from semi-permanent tented camps that move seasonally with the wildebeest herds to high-end lodges perched for panoramic views.