Serengeti Safari Guide – Wildlife, Migration and the Best Time to Visit
Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world and one of the most spectacular safari destinations in Africa. Endless savannas, huge herds of animals and dramatic predator encounters make the Serengeti an unforgettable destination.
The park is particularly famous for the Great Migration, one of the largest wildlife migrations on Earth. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles move across the landscape in search of fresh grass.
In this Serengeti Safari Guide, you will learn everything about wildlife, the best time to visit, safari experiences and practical tips for your trip.
Where is the Serengeti?
Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania and is part of the famous Northern Safari Circuit. Most safaris start in the city of Arusha. From there, you can reach the Serengeti either by safari vehicle or by a small domestic flight.
The Serengeti is often combined with other national parks, for example:
Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Lake Manyara National Park
Together, these parks form the classic Northern Tanzania safari route.
The Serengeti landscape
The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai language and roughly means “endless plains”. That is exactly what you can expect in Serengeti National Park: vast savannas stretching all the way to the horizon.
The kopjes are often favourite resting places for lions and leopards.
The Great Migration
The most famous natural event in Serengeti National Park is the Great Migration.
Every year, around:
1.5 million wildebeest
200,000 zebras
hundreds of thousands of gazelles
move through the Serengeti and onwards towards Kenya.
The migration follows the rainfall and the search for fresh grass.
The river crossings are particularly spectacular, when thousands of animals cross rivers at the same time – often with crocodiles waiting in the water.
Best time for a Serengeti safari
A safari in Serengeti National Park is possible all year round.
The best time to visit depends on what you would like to see.
June – October (dry season)
excellent wildlife viewing
many animals around water sources
pleasant temperatures
January – March
wildebeest calving season
lots of predator activity
April – May
rainy season
fewer tourists
very green landscapes
Tips for your Serengeti safari
To make your safari a great experience, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Practical tips:
wear neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, beige, olive)
bring binoculars
pack a camera with a zoom lens
make sure you have enough storage space for your photos
It is also worth spending at least two to three days in the Serengeti.
Why the Serengeti offers one of the best safaris in the world
Serengeti National Park is one of the most spectacular natural areas on Earth. The combination of huge herds, impressive landscapes and dramatic predator encounters makes every safari a unique experience.
If you are planning a safari in Tanzania, you should allow several days for the Serengeti – it is one of Africa’s greatest highlights.
Serengeti map – where the Great Migration takes place throughout the year
Serengeti National Park is enormous, covering more than 14,000 km². This is why the Great Migration moves through different regions of the park throughout the year.
The Serengeti is generally divided into three main safari areas:
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu / Southern Plains)
Central Serengeti (Seronera region)
Northern Serengeti (Mara River region)
Overview: Great Migration throughout the year
Serengeti region | Best months | What you can experience |
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu) | December – March | Wildebeest calving season, thousands of newborn calves |
Central Serengeti (Seronera) | April – June | Large herds moving through the area, many predators |
Western Corridor | May – June | First river crossings at the Grumeti River |
Northern Serengeti (Mara River) | July – October | Dramatic Mara River crossings |
Migration back south | November | Herds return towards the southern Serengeti |
Southern Serengeti – calving season
Around Ndutu in the southern Serengeti, the famous calving season takes place from January to March.
During this time:
more than 500,000 wildebeest calves are born
huge herds can be seen
many predators are attracted to the area
This makes these months one of the best times for wildlife viewing.
Northern Serengeti – Mara River crossings
The most spectacular event of the migration takes place in the north.
Between July and October, the herds reach the Mara River in northern Serengeti.
This is where you may witness:
dramatic river crossings
crocodile attacks
huge concentrations of wildlife
Many safari photographers travel to the region specifically during this period.
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National Parks in Tanzania
Safari in Tanzania – How many days?
What does a safari in Tanzania cost?
Safari clothing
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