Serengeti National Park
Witness the raw beauty of Africa unfold in the Serengeti.
Serengeti
The Serengeti is one of the most iconic and awe-inspiring destinations on Earth—a place where the wild heart of Africa beats strongest. Spanning sweeping savannahs, woodlands, and riverine ecosystems, the Serengeti is synonymous with epic wildlife encounters and the dramatic spectacle of the Great Migration. Whether you're planning your first safari or are a seasoned traveler, the Serengeti delivers an unforgettable experience shaped by ancient landscapes, abundant animals, and timeless beauty.
How Large Is the Serengeti?
Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania and covers an area of approximately 14,750 square kilometers (5,700 square miles), making it one of the largest national parks in Africa. It is part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, which spans about 30,000 square kilometers (over 11,500 square miles) and includes adjacent conservation areas such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Maswa Game Reserve, and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
This vast landscape includes open plains, savannahs, kopjes (rock outcrops), riverine forests, and seasonal wetlands—each supporting a different cast of wildlife.
How to Get There
By Air
The easiest way to reach the Serengeti is by air. Several domestic airlines operate scheduled flights from major cities such as Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Dar es Salaam to airstrips inside the park. The main airstrips include:
Seronera Airstrip – Centrally located, ideal for access to the Central Serengeti.
Kogatende Airstrip – Best for access to the Northern Serengeti and Great Migration river crossings (July–October).
Ndutu Airstrip – Serves the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (popular in calving season from December–March).
Chartered flights are also available for those who prefer private or customized routes.
By Road
While slower, overland travel from Arusha (about 7–8 hours) offers a scenic route through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is often part of a larger northern circuit safari. Note that roads can be rough, especially during the rainy season, so a 4x4 vehicle is essential.
Wildlife You May See
The Serengeti is one of the best places on Earth to view wildlife. Home to over 70 species of large mammals and more than 500 species of birds, the park is a thriving biodiversity hotspot. Here are some highlights:
The Big Five
Lion – Large prides roam the plains, especially in Central Serengeti.
Leopard – Often spotted lounging in acacia trees near riverine areas.
Elephant – Most commonly seen in the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti.
Buffalo – Numerous and widespread across all zones.
Rhinoceros – Rare, but the black rhino can occasionally be seen in remote areas.
The Great Migration
This is one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and hundreds of thousands of gazelles migrate annually in a clockwise loop across the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem, pursued by predators every step of the way.
Other Common Sightings
Cheetahs – Especially visible in the open plains of the Southern and Central Serengeti.
Hyenas – Scavengers and hunters found throughout the park.
Giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, warthogs, elands, and impalas – All frequently encountered.
Birdlife – Including ostriches, kori bustards, lilac-breasted rollers, and various raptors.
Activities in the Serengeti
Though game drives are the mainstay of Serengeti safaris, a range of activities allow visitors to experience the park from multiple perspectives.
Land-Based Activities
Game Drives
The most popular way to explore. Available in early morning, afternoon, or full-day formats.
4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs allow close encounters with wildlife.
Guided Nature Walks
Available in designated areas, especially outside core zones.
Offers insight into smaller flora, insects, and animal tracks with an experienced guide.
Cultural Visits
Visit Maasai villages on the Serengeti's periphery to learn about local traditions and daily life.
Photographic Safaris
Specialized tours with professional guides who understand positioning, lighting, and animal behavior.
Air-Based Activities
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Offered in Central, Northern, and Southern Serengeti.
Flights take off at dawn and drift silently over herds and rivers, ending with a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Scenic Flights
Charter flights can offer breathtaking aerial views of the migration or the vastness of the plains.
Water-Based Activities
While the Serengeti is not known for water-based tourism like the Okavango Delta, its rivers (such as the Grumeti and Mara) are focal points during the dry season and migration. Visitors can observe dramatic wildebeest river crossings, where crocodiles lie in wait. These crossings are among the most thrilling events in the African wilderness.
Popular Places to Stay
The Serengeti offers accommodation for every travel style—from budget to ultra-luxury.
Central Serengeti (Seronera)
Ideal year-round, thanks to permanent water sources and abundant wildlife.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti – Luxurious, with spa and infinity pool.
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge – Family-friendly with excellent facilities.
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge – Upscale tented lodge with panoramic views.
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
Best for river crossings during the dry season.
Sayari Camp (Asilia Africa) – Luxury eco-camp with superb service.
Lemala Kuria Hills – Modern, glass-fronted suites and plunge pools.
Mara River Tented Camp – Prime location near migration crossing points.
Western Corridor (Grumeti)
Known for seasonal migration and river wildlife.
Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp – Run by &Beyond, ideal for intimate experiences.
Singita Sasakwa Lodge – Palatial luxury on a private concession.
Southern Serengeti/Ndutu Area
Best for calving season (Dec–Mar).
Ndutu Safari Lodge – Rustic and popular with photographers.
Sanctuary Kusini – Remote camp with great predator action.
Nomad Serengeti Camp – Mobile camp that moves with the migration.
Mobile Camps
These tented camps relocate seasonally to follow the migration.
&Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas
Lemala Ewanjan
Asilia’s Ubuntu Camp
Serengeti by Season
The Serengeti can be visited year-round, but each season offers unique experiences tied to wildlife movements and weather patterns.
January to March – Calving Season (Southern Serengeti / Ndutu)
Wildlife: Over 500,000 wildebeest give birth, attracting predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.
Landscape: Lush and green after short rains.
Best For: Dramatic predator-prey interactions, photographers, and bird watchers.
Accommodation Focus: Ndutu and Southern Serengeti.
April to May – Long Rains (Low Season)
Weather: Wettest months with fewer visitors.
Wildlife: Animals still visible, but some areas become hard to access.
Best For: Green landscapes, privacy, and discounted rates.
Note: Some camps close during this period.
June to July – Dry Season and Grumeti Crossings (Western Corridor)
Migration: Wildebeest move northward, crossing the Grumeti River.
Wildlife: Excellent game viewing, crocodile crossings.
Best For: Action-packed river crossings and drier roads.
Accommodation Focus: Western Serengeti.
August to October – Mara River Crossings (Northern Serengeti)
Migration: Iconic crossings at the Mara River, with massive herds and crocodile-infested waters.
Weather: Dry and sunny.
Best For: Once-in-a-lifetime migration moments, walking safaris.
Accommodation Focus: Northern Serengeti.
November to December – Short Rains and Southward Migration
Wildlife: Wildebeest begin moving back south toward Ndutu.
Landscape: Begins to green again, especially by late December.
Best For: Quieter parks, returning migratory birds, calving begins late December.
Accommodation Focus: Transition between Central and Southern Serengeti.
Final Thoughts
The Serengeti is more than just a national park—it's a living, breathing theater of nature on the grandest scale. From the thunder of hooves during the Great Migration to a quiet moment watching a leopard descend from an acacia tree, the Serengeti delivers unforgettable moments. Whether you're flying high in a balloon or quietly tracking lions on a game drive, each visit leaves you more deeply connected to the rhythms of the wild.
No matter when you go, the Serengeti offers something extraordinary. With careful planning and the right accommodation, your safari can align perfectly with the park's natural wonders—ensuring that your trip becomes a story worth telling for a lifetime.
