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Our favourite Serengeti safari ideas
These are some of our most popular safaris to Serengeti National Park. Many of our guests use these as inspiration when tailoring their own Serengeti safari with one of our safari experts.
In northern Tanzania lies a wilderness so expansive that the Maasai people named it siringet – "a place where the land runs forever." This is the Serengeti, a land of sweeping grass plains, rocky outcrops, leafy woodlands and fertile volcanic soils that is synonymous with the very essence of an African safari
Why tour Serengeti National Park?
The Great Wildebeest Migration, which takes place throughout the year in the Serengeti, is shared during August to October with the Maasai Mara (Kenya) as the herds repeatedly cross the Mara River to follow the rains and nutritious green grass. For the remainder of the year, the herds are either calving in the southern Serengeti or moving between the north and south of the Serengeti
Abundant wildlife throughout the year, from the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) to resident cheetahs, large clans of hyenas and non-migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles
Vast landscapes: Ten times larger than Kenya's Maasai Mara, the Serengeti offers more chances to avoid the crowds during the busy prime safari season
Safari options: Luxury experiences, family adventures, and private tours tailored to witness the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth.
Africa Geographic specialises in tailor-made trips to the Serengeti for those seeking an exclusive experience. Elevate your Serengeti safari with luxury accommodations, private guides, and bespoke itineraries.
Private safari tours: Enjoy personalised attention with dedicated guides, private vehicles, and custom itineraries tailored to your interests and pace.
Luxury lodge experiences: Stay in Serengeti safari camps and lodges featuring world-class amenities, gourmet dining, and exceptional service in stunning locations.
Fly-in safari adventures: Maximise your time with chartered flights between destinations, offering aerial views and seamless transfers to remote locations.
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"I have been travelling with Christian Boix and Africa Geographic for more than a decade. Amateur photography is my hobby, and each trip has been unique, well-planned, and fulfilled my purposes ... the migration in the Serengeti ... 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 - tented mobile safari in Botswana, high five in every aspect !"
"Our journey began long before we set foot in Africa—with a simple online inquiry through Africa Geographic. Within seconds, I was contacted by Karen, who warmly invited me to chat about our hopes, preferences, and expectations. The very next morning, I received an email from Stefan Winterboer, who would become our dedicated travel consultant for what would turn out to be the trip of a lifetime. From that first message onward, everything flowed seamlessly ... I wholeheartedly recommend Africa Geographic ... to anyone considering an African adventure ..."
FAQs: Serengeti National Park safari
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–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–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-October) | Ideal for: Mara River drama, mating season, peak wildlife action
July: Grumeti Reserve crossings, mating season begins
August–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
Both destinations form part of the Greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Each offers distinct experiences & advantages:
Serengeti National Park | Maasai Mara |
Ten times larger than Maasai Mara | Smaller size means wildlife is easier to find |
Hosts the Great Migration year-round | Hosts Great Migration August to October |
Exclusive access to February calving season | Exclusive private conservancies |
Diverse landscapes: plains, rocky kopjes, and forests | Excellent year-round resident wildlife |
Lower density and crowds | Higher tourist volumes |
Longer game drives, & distances between regions | Shorter distances between locations, smaller area to explore |
The Mara River crossings occur primarily from August to mid-October in the northern Serengeti around Kogatende. Unlike Grumeti River crossings in July, Mara River crossings are more dramatic due to higher water volumes and steeper banks.
While river crossings 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.
Wet season (March–June and November-December) offers fewer crowds, better accommodation rates, and dramatic landscapes, though some areas become inaccessible. Dry season (July–October) provides easier access and concentrated wildlife around water sources.
Serengeti National Park is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) plus other species such as cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, spotted hyenas, wildebeest and zebras are found across diverse ecosystems. You will also find rare and seldom-seen species such as striped hyenas, aardvarks and servals.
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.
Peak season bookings (July–October) require 12–18 months advance planning. Green season trips (November–June) can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Safaris to the Serengeti usually cost from US$4,000 per person, depending on duration, accommodation comfort level, and activities. Our packages offer excellent value with transparent pricing.
Our Serengeti safari holidays typically include accommodation, all meals, game drives and other described activities, park fees, experienced guides, airport transfers and 24/7 support from our team. Specific inclusions vary by package – contact us for detailed itineraries.
You only make your first payment when you book your Serengeti holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
We have been handcrafting experiential safaris since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Booking through a respected tour operator with many years of experience means that all you need to focus on is helping us design your safari and then having a superb vacation. The rest - all the nitty-gritty detail and admin is done while you relax. Our 24/7 concierges take care of problems such as flight changes and missed flights, last-minute road transfer and lodge changes due to unexpected events, and itinerary changes requested by you.
Remember that you will not save money by attempting to book and manage your own safari, but you will inherit mistakes and problems that arise.
Yes, your money is safe. Your payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability. See what travellers say about us.
By booking your safari with Africa Geographic, you make a significant difference because:
We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level
Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about Africa's incredible biodiversity and the local people who protect it
Our chosen lodges support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited vehicle numbers and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!
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 you safari.
HOW IT WORKS
1. You describe your dream luxury Serengeti safari
2. One of our safari experts will tailor-make your holiday
3. After minor admin, you have the time of your life!
RESOURCES
1. Ready-made Serengeti travel packages to help you describe YOUR dream safari - see below
2. Tons of helpful info about the best experiences & destinations plus safari advice - see the tabs above
LET'S START PLANNING
1. Contact us via an enquiry form - click the red 'Plan my dream safari' button at the top of this website or scroll to the end of this page
2. Speak with a safari expert - click the telephone icon at the top of this website
Start planning your dream safari
Our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!