Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
The magic of a safari in Serengeti National Park
In northern Tanzania lies a world-renowned wilderness so expansive that the original inhabitants, the Maasai people, named it siringet – "a place where the land runs forever." This is the Serengeti, a land synonymous with the very essence of an African safari, where sweeping grasslands, rocky outcrops, leafy woodlands, and fertile volcanic soils create the perfect habitat for the region's abundant herbivores and well-fed predators.
Serengeti hosts the iconic Great Wildebeest Migration and epic wildlife encounters year-round. It is the ultimate safari choice for first-timers and experienced travellers alike.
5 Things we love about the Serengeti
Great Migration: The Serengeti hosts the Great Migration year-round. You can find the herds during the dramatic Mara River crossings from August to mid-October, during the calving season from January to March and the months in between. This is one of Africa's best safari experiences. One gets caught up in the drama of the moment, the chaos, the celebration of life and death.
Secret season: visiting the Serengeti outside of the busy tourism seasons of August to September and February to March means having the vast landscape and abundant wildlife to yourself.
Big Five: search for lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & black rhino, plus cheetah, serval, hyena and many other species.
Maasai Mara culture: an authentic Maasai village visit takes you beyond wildlife, fostering a profound connection with their vibrant culture, traditions, and daily life.
It's vast. At roughly 31,667km² (almost 3.2 million hectares) of protected area, the Serengeti ecosystem covers a large portion of Tanzania's northwestern corner. It is so vast that it dwarfs the neighbouring Maasai Mara by a factor of ten, offering wildlife viewing opportunities that match the endless scenery.
Our favourite Serengeti safari ideas
All you need to know about the Serengeti
About Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park forms the heart of a 40,000 km² (4 million-hectare) protected unfenced ecosystem that spans the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The park connects seamlessly with Kenya's Maasai Mara to the north, while several game reserves surround it: Grumeti and Ikorongo to the west, Maswa to the south, and Loliondo to the east. Just southeast lies the famous Ngorongoro Crater within its Conservation Area.
Serengeti is one of the largest and most intact natural ecosystems on Earth, dominated by open plains, savannah, riverine forests, and scattered woodlands. The grass savannah can host a high concentration of animals because it is very fertile, primarily due to ancient volcanic eruptions from the Ngorongoro highlands, which blanketed the plains in nutrient-rich ash. This ash created a highly mineral-rich, calcareous soil base, containing crucial minerals such as calcium, sodium, and zinc, which support the growth of nutrient-dense grasses.
What wildlife will I see in the Serengeti?
Serengeti National Park offers a year-round wildlife spectacle, including:
The huge Great Migration herds of wildebeest and zebras. The sheer volume of migrating animals boggles the mind, and the drama of the Mara River crossings, as thousands of animals cross again and again, risking huge crocodiles and swirling waters, is one of nature's most epic encounters. So too, the calving season when thousands of wildebeest calves are born, and predators feast on young animals.
The Big Five: rhino, lion, elephant, leopard, and buffalo.
A high number of predators. The Serengeti hosts significant populations of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, as well as less commonly encountered species such as servals, bat-eared foxes, and caracals.
An impressive bird tally of about 750 species can be found, including regional endemics such as Jackson’s widowbird, grey-crested helmetshrike, Usambiro barbet and rufous-tailed weaver
Serengeti safari lodges and camps
The Serengeti hosts a wide range of luxury camps and lodges, from rustic bush camps moved seasonally to enjoy the Great Migration, to authentic permanent tented camps and boutique lodges.
Every property we select for your handcrafted journey meets our exacting standards for comfort, character, and service. Just as importantly, each lodge is deeply committed to protecting Serengeti wildlife, supporting local communities, and preserving the extraordinary ecosystems that make your safari possible.
Check out our Serengeti safari ideas above to see some of the hotels, lodges and camps with proven track records that we regularly send our guests to.
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Why choose Africa Geographic to plan your safari?
I have been travelling with ... Africa Geographic for more than a decade ... and each trip has been unique, well-planned ... driving in the Serengeti for miles and miles among 1.5 million wildebeest, and 400,000 zebras enabled me to start to comprehend the magnitude of the "migration"; in addition, we saw a cheetah making a kill of a young Grant gazelle. Trust and enjoy.
After having done about 12-15 safaris in East Africa, I was hugely impressed by the very professional service and product offered by Africa Geographic Travel. Outstanding in every aspect, ranging from understanding what I was looking for, the presentation of how they received my request, to the actual trip, as such, with a unique product, high five in every aspect !
We booked our honeymoon safari with Africa Geographic, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of our lives ... the flow of the trip was perfect: Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Olduvai, Ndutu, and the Serengeti ... We would recommend Africa Geographic without hesitation to anyone looking for a safari that is personal, well‑designed, and truly special.
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Frequently asked questions
With such extensive experiences available in this incredible part of the world, the ‘best time’ to visit the Serengeti National Park really hinges on what you want out of the experience – and this is where talking to our safari experts can be invaluable to guide you in this decision. They will also be in the know about seasonal fluctuations, so you don’t miss the greatest show on Earth.
The Great Wildebeest Migration follows rainfall patterns, making timing crucial for optimal sightings:
Calving season (December to March) | Ideal for: Newborn wildlife, predator action, fewer crowds
December–February: Southern Serengeti, Lake Ndutu area
March: Herds move more slowly with babies in tow
Weather: Short rains, warm days, cooler evenings
Migration movement (April to June) | Ideal for: Herd movements, fewer tourists, dramatic landscapes
April-May: Long rains, slippery conditions, spectacular photography
June: Herds spread out, front-runners reach Mbalageti River
Weather: Wettest months, afternoon thunderstorms
River crossings (July to mid-October) | Ideal for: Mara River drama, mating season, peak wildlife action
July: Grumeti Reserve crossings, mating season begins
August to mid-October: Mara River crossings, highest predator activity
Weather: Dry season, hot days, clear skies
Return journey (Late October–November) | Ideal for: Peaceful grazing, smaller crowds, cooler weather
October: Casual grazing in Maasai Mara
November: Short rains trigger southward movement
Weather: Cooler temperatures, unpredictable rainfall
The Mara River crossings occur primarily from August to mid-October in the northern Serengeti in the Kogatende area. Unlike Grumeti River crossings in July, Mara River crossings are more dramatic due to higher water volumes and steeper banks.
While river crossings during the Great Migration attract crowds, the Serengeti's vastness (14,750km²) means that you can escape the crowds and enjoy privacy away from the river crossings. Our positioning strategies and private conservancy access provide exclusive experiences away from the river, even during busy periods.
If your main aim is to view the Mara River crossings, then make peace with the fact that there will be crowds while you are at the river. If you are the type who skips the Eiffel Tower and seeks out that artisan cheese store in the back alleys of Paris, then perhaps give the Mara River crossings a miss, and opt to watch the vast herds away from the river or even avoid the river crossing season entirely.
The Serengeti Great Migration occurs throughout the year, as the herds move clockwise around the ecosystem. Our safari experts will help you decide on the best timing and itinerary to make the most of your tour of Serengeti National Park.
Tanzania (Serengeti National Park) | Kenya (Maasai Mara National Reserve) |
Ten times larger than the Maasai Mara | Dense wildlife in a smaller area |
Great Migration is present year-round, including river crossings in the north (August-mid-October) and peak calving on the southern plains (February–March) | Great Migration from August to mid-October, with Mara River crossings, which occur simultaneously in Tanzania's northern Serengeti during this period |
Vast, open landscapes result in more opportunities to avoid the crowds | Private conservancy system offers exclusive, crowd-free viewing. Note that river crossings occur in the main reserve and are subject to crowding |
Big 5 are present, but combine with an Ngorongoro Crater safari for higher chances of seeing rhinos | Very high likelihood of sighting the entire Big Five (especially with Laikipia and its rhino sanctuaries as an add-on) |
Best for: photographers, wilderness seekers, experienced safari-goers | Best for: first-timers, families, shorter trips |
Absolutely! Family programmes accommodate children 6+ with educational activities, flexible schedules, and safe accommodations. Cultural interactions with Maasai communities provide enriching experiences for young minds.
Serengeti National Park is a malaria area. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended; consult your GP or travel clinic before departure.
Yellow fever
Tanzania is not a yellow fever country, so a yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory. However, if you are entering Tanzania from a yellow fever country (such as Rwanda), you will need to present your vaccination certificate upon entry.
Malaria
Malaria is prevalent across Tanzania, and we advise you to consult your GP before you depart about taking prophylaxis. It’s also essential to cover up in the evenings when the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito usually feeds. The malaria incubation period is 1-3 weeks, so if you experience any flu-like symptoms, headaches, aching joints and back or nausea and diarrhoea, it is recommended that you get tested at the earliest opportunity and let the medical people know you’ve recently travelled to Africa.
Our safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 105 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Neutral-coloured, light clothing (khaki, olive, beige) is recommended for game drives – avoid blue and white, which attract insects. Layering is important as mornings can be cold, particularly if there has been rain. Essential items include a good insect repellent (DEET-based for malaria areas), sunscreen, a sun hat, binoculars, and a camera. Soft-sided luggage is required if flying by charter aircraft.
See our comprehensive packing list.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
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