Tanzania · Northern Circuit

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania’s most iconic safari destination — an endless landscape of golden plains, dramatic predator encounters, and the world-famous Great Migration unfolding across one of Africa’s greatest wilderness ecosystems.

Park Area
14,763 km²
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Famous For
Migration
Over 2 million animals
Established
1951
Tanzania’s oldest national park

Park Overview

The Serengeti is Africa’s most celebrated safari landscape, stretching across endless plains, granite kopjes, river valleys, and acacia woodlands. Its name comes from the Maasai word Siringet, meaning “the endless plains,” perfectly describing this extraordinary wilderness.

Local insight: Every region of Serengeti offers a different safari experience—from dramatic river crossings in the north to predator-rich central plains and calving season in the south.

Best Time to Visit

The Serengeti offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round, with migration movements shaping seasonal highlights.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak / Prime Good / Shoulder Wet / Green

January–March is calving season in southern Serengeti; July–October offers dramatic Mara River crossings in the north.

Wildlife

One of the richest concentrations of wildlife on Earth, with exceptional predator action year-round.

Lion
Leopard
Cheetah
Elephant
Buffalo
Rhino
Wildebeest
Zebra
Hyena
Gazelle

Birdlife

Over 500 bird species inhabit Serengeti’s varied habitats.

  • Secretary Bird across open plains
  • Kori Bustard — Africa’s heaviest flying bird
  • Ostrich in grassland zones
  • Vultures and eagles around predator kills
  • Colorful bee-eaters and rollers in woodland

The Serengeti’s mix of plains, rivers, and woodlands makes birding rewarding in every season.

Great Migration

The world’s largest land-animal migration.

  • Over 1.5 million wildebeest
  • 200,000 zebra and gazelle
  • Seasonal calving in Ndutu plains
  • Dramatic Mara River crossings

Timing matters: migration moves continuously, so location determines the best safari experience.

Key Regions

Central Serengeti
Seronera Valley, famous for year-round wildlife and abundant big cats.
Northern Serengeti
Best known for dramatic Mara River migration crossings.
Southern Plains
Calving season and cheetah-rich open grasslands.
Western Corridor
Riverine forests and Grumeti River migration crossings.

Activities

  • Game drives across multiple ecosystems
  • Hot air balloon safaris at sunrise
  • Photography safaris with iconic wildlife scenes
  • Migration tracking throughout the year
  • Cultural visits to Maasai communities

Climate

  • Dry: June–October
  • Green: November–May
  • Warm days year-round
  • Cool mornings and evenings

Accommodation

  • Luxury safari lodges
  • Tented migration camps
  • Private exclusive camps
  • Budget and mid-range options

Park Fees

  • Adult: TANAPA standard rates
  • Vehicle fees apply
  • Concession fees may apply
  • Balloon safaris extra

Practical Tips

  • Stay at least 2–3 nights
  • Choose region by migration season
  • Bring binoculars and camera lenses
  • Flights save significant travel time

Why Visit Serengeti National Park?

Great Migration

Witness one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles.

Big Cat Paradise

Exceptional opportunities to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

Iconic Landscapes

Experience the legendary endless plains of Africa.

Classic Safari

The definitive Tanzania safari destination for first-time and returning travelers alike.