Usually Jul–Oct
Northern Serengeti
Remote and hilly, running up to the Kenyan border. When the herds are here they are often crossing the Mara River, which is the scene most people picture.
Tanzania safari
Serengeti
Open grassland to the horizon, resident big cats, and a migration that is somewhere in the park every month of the year.
The Serengeti is not one place. Where you stay should depend on the month.
Wide grassland in the south, river woodland in the west, rocky kopjes in the middle and the Mara River in the north. The herds move through all of it over the year, and the big cats stay put.
- Area
- About 14,750 km²
- Status
- National park, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- From Arusha
- A full day by road, or a light aircraft
- Worth
- Four days or more
Where to stay
The four areas of the Serengeti
Choosing the right area for your month matters more than choosing the right lodge.
Usually May–Jul
Western Corridor
A long finger of land reaching towards Lake Victoria along the Grumeti River. The herds typically pass through at the start of the dry season.
Year round
Central Serengeti
Around Seronera: rivers, kopjes and resident animals that do not migrate, which makes it a dependable choice in any month and good country for big cats.
Usually Dec–Mar
Southern plains
Short-grass plains towards the Ngorongoro highlands. Calving usually happens here early in the year, and the predators follow.
Experiences
What to do in the Serengeti
Game drives
The way almost everyone sees the Serengeti: early morning and late afternoon, when animals are most active, with the middle of the day to rest.
Walking with a ranger
Guided walks are permitted in some parts of the park with an armed ranger. Slower, closer to the ground, and a different way to read the landscape.
Hot-air balloon flights
Dawn flights run over parts of the park at extra cost. Ask us if you want one included when we plan the safari.
Why people come
Scale. Open grassland to the horizon, and a migration of wildebeest and zebra that is moving somewhere in the park in every month of the year.
Away from the vehicles
The far north and the Western Corridor see far fewer vehicles than the centre. They take longer to reach, which is exactly why they are quieter.
Something to think about
Distance. Driving in and out takes most of a day each way, so a short safari that includes the Serengeti spends much of its time on the road.
When to go
Where the herds usually are, month by month
The pattern repeats every year, but the rains move it by weeks either way. Treat this as a guide, not a timetable.
- Dry, usually easiest for game
- Short rains or changing
- Long rains
January
Southern plains
The herds are typically on the short-grass plains in the south, and calving usually begins.
February
Calving
Often the peak of calving in the south, with predators close behind. Green, warm and busy with young animals.
March
Rains arriving
The herds usually stay in the south as the long rains begin. Fewer vehicles, and some tracks get harder going.
April
Long rains
Typically the wettest month. Herds start to move north-west; some camps close. Quiet and green.
May
On the move
The rains usually ease and the herds head towards the Western Corridor, often in long columns.
June
Western Corridor
The dry season begins and the herds are typically in the west, around the Grumeti River.
July
Heading north
The herds usually push north. River crossings in the far north can begin late in the month.
August
Mara River
Often the peak of the crossings in the northern Serengeti. Dry, clear, and the busiest month.
September
Northern Serengeti
The herds are usually still in the north, with crossings back and forth across the river.
October
Turning south
The end of the dry season. The herds typically begin to drift south again.
November
Short rains
Afternoon showers return and the herds move down through the east and centre of the park.
December
Back to the south
The herds usually arrive back on the southern plains, ready for calving in the new year.
Wildlife
What you are likely to see in the Serengeti
No guide can promise a sighting. These are the animals the park is best known for.
Wildebeest
Moving with the rains, all year
Zebra
Travelling alongside the herds
Lion
Resident, especially in the centre
Elephant
Woodland and river country
Ostrich
Open plains
Cheetah and leopard
Plains and kopjes; leopard is elusive
Serengeti
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in the Serengeti?
Four days of safari is the first length at which the Serengeti is more than a long drive, because reaching it from Arusha takes most of a day. Five or more lets you stay in one area rather than moving camp.
When can I see the river crossings?
Usually between July and October in the northern Serengeti, most often in August and September. Crossings depend on the herds and the rains, so no date can be guaranteed — but staying in the north for several nights in that window gives you the best chance.
Is the Serengeti worth it outside the migration?
Yes. The central Serengeti has resident animals, including big cats, all year. The migration adds numbers; it is not the only reason to go.
Can I combine the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes, and most people do. The crater sits on the road between Arusha and the Serengeti, so it fits naturally on the way in or out.
Should I do the safari before or after climbing Kilimanjaro?
After. A safari is mostly sitting down, which is what your body wants after the mountain. If you are adding Mount Meru for acclimatisation, Meru comes first and the safari still comes last.