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Tanzania safari destination
Serengeti National Park
Endless plains, the Great Migration and some of Africa’s best big cat viewing. Plan a Serengeti safari from Arusha or Nairobi with a local team.
Location
Northern Tanzania
Size
About 14,750 sq km
Ideal stay
3 to 4 nights
Best time
All year, by region
Famous for
The Great Migration
The endless plains of northern Tanzania
Serengeti National Park covers about 14,750 square kilometres of grassland, woodland and rocky outcrops in northern Tanzania. Its name comes from the Maasai word for endless plains, and it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. To the north it joins Kenya’s Maasai Mara, forming one great ecosystem.
The Serengeti is the main stage of the Great Migration, a year-round loop of more than a million wildebeest, along with zebra and gazelle, following the rains. Calving takes place on the southern short-grass plains early in the year, the herds move through the western corridor around mid-year, and from about August they cross the Mara River in the north.
Resident wildlife is excellent all year, with lion prides on the kopjes, cheetahs on the open plains and leopards in the Seronera Valley. A 5 day Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari is the classic route, linking the park with the Ngorongoro Crater.
Why a Serengeti safari belongs on your itinerary
Six reasons the Serengeti is one of the most famous safari destinations on Earth.
The Great Migration
Follow vast herds of wildebeest and zebra as they move with the rains.
Big cat country
Lion, leopard and cheetah are all seen regularly across the park.
Calving season
Thousands of calves are born on the southern plains early in the year.
Balloon safaris
Drift over the plains at sunrise, followed by a bush breakfast.
Granite kopjes
Rocky outcrops shelter lions, hyrax and colourful lizards.
Wildlife all year
Resident animals mean rewarding game drives in every month.
When to visit the Serengeti
The Serengeti is excellent all year. Where the herds are depends on the month, so choose your area by season.
June to October
Dry season
River crossings in the western corridor and the north, and easy game viewing.
- Peak season rates
January to March
Calving season
The herds gather on the southern plains, followed closely by predators.
- Mid season rates
April to May
Long rains
Green, quiet landscapes and the lowest rates. Some camps close.
- Lowest rates of the year
November to December
Short rains
The herds move south again, with fresh grass and fewer visitors.
- Good value rates
Wildlife you can expect to see in the Serengeti
The Serengeti holds one of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals. Hyena, giraffe, topi and hippo are common too.
- Great Migration
Wildebeest
More than a million wildebeest move through the ecosystem on the Great Migration.
- Moves by season
- Seen all year
- Big cat
Lion
Large prides rest on the kopjes and hunt on the open plains.
- Kopjes and plains
- Most active at dawn and dusk
- Big Five
Elephant
Herds move through the woodland and along the rivers of the park.
- Woodland and rivers
- Seen all year
- Great Migration
Zebra
Hundreds of thousands of zebra travel alongside the wildebeest.
- Open plains
- Seen all year
- Big Five
Cape buffalo
Large herds graze near water and in the long grass.
- Grassland and rivers
- Seen all year
Things to do on a Serengeti safari
Game drives are the heart of any visit, with a few unforgettable extras.
Hot air balloon safari
Float over the Serengeti at sunrise and land for a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Guided game drives
Explore the plains and kopjes in a pop-up roof vehicle with an experienced guide.
Follow the migration
Spend your days with the herds, wherever they are in the season.
Serengeti plains
Take in the vast open grassland that gives the park its name.
Olduvai Gorge
Stop on the way to visit one of the world’s most important early human sites.
Planning your Serengeti safari
Practical details to help you reach the park and choose where to stay.
Getting to the Serengeti
- By road: about 7 to 8 hours from Arusha via the Ngorongoro highlands.
- By air: light aircraft fly from Arusha to airstrips such as Seronera in about an hour.
- From Kenya: many travellers combine Nairobi, the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti on one trip.
Where to stay
- Central Serengeti: lodges and camps in the Seronera area, good all year.
- Mobile camps: tented camps that move to follow the migration.
- Budget camping: public campsites keep costs low on a budget safari.
Good to know
- Park fees: charged per person for each 24 hours. Check whether fees are included in your quote.
- Visas: check Tanzania entry requirements before you travel.
- Health: the Serengeti is a malaria area, so speak to your doctor about prevention.
Serengeti safari packages
Budget and private safaris that include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire.
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
- 5 DAYS
- LAKE MANYARA, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NGORONGORO CRATER
- 14 DAYS
- Masai Mara,Lake Nakuru,Lake Naivasha,Ngorongoro Crater,Tarangire
- 11 DAYS
- MAASAI MARA,AMBOSELI ,SERENGETI ,NGORONGORO CRATER
- 5 Days ,4 Nights
- Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Serengeti safari questions
Answers to the questions travellers ask us most. Still unsure? Send us your question and our team will reply.
When is the best time to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti?
It depends on what you want to see. January to March is calving season in the south, June and July bring river crossings in the west, and August to October sees crossings on the Mara River in the north.
How many days do you need in the Serengeti?
Three to four nights is ideal. Shorter safaris are possible, but the park is large and travel times between areas are long.
How do I get to the Serengeti?
Most safaris drive from Arusha in 7 to 8 hours via Ngorongoro, or fly to an airstrip inside the park in about an hour.
What is the difference between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara?
They are part of the same ecosystem. The Serengeti is far larger and holds the herds for most of the year, while the Mara is smaller and sees the herds from about July to October.
Can you see the Big Five in the Serengeti?
Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are seen often. Rhino are rare in the Serengeti, so many safaris add the Ngorongoro Crater for the best chance of seeing them.
Can I combine the Serengeti with Kenya?
Yes. Many of our safaris combine the Serengeti with the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Nairobi on one trip.
Start planning your Serengeti safari
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and our team will plan a Serengeti safari around the migration and your schedule.
