Serengeti National Park

SERENGETI SHALL NEVER DIE

The Serengeti comes from the Maa word ‘Serengit’, which translates to ‘the place where the land moves on forever’. It is the far-reaching, endless savannahs that inspired the Lion King, and is now the most popular safari destination in the world.

Imagine vast expansive plains with endless horizons, seas of pale yellow grass rippling in the warm breeze, gnarled acacias twisting to the sky and vultures circling on thermals overhead. This is the Serengeti, Africa’s most famous and fabulous game reserve.

The Great Migration

Subject of countless documentaries, the Serengeti does not disappoint in real life. Each year, up to two million wildebeest snake their way across the plains following the promise of rain. Accompanied by zebra, they form a black, braying column more than 40 kilometers long. Flurries of egrets rise and fall above them and dust surrounds their hooves. They thrash through rivers, crackle across plains and finally, reaching verdant grasslands, give birth to wet glistening calves, wobbling on unsteady legs.

best time to visit Serengeti?

The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times. The timing of the migration varies every year (the best chance of seeing it is during June and July) while the wildebeest calving is from late January to February.

JAN

VISITING TANZANIA IN JANUARY

There is a chance of rain, the temperature is getting higher and the humidity is building. It’s still a good time to go as rates are lower and safari is excellent. At this time of year, the migration herds are in the southeast of the Serengeti for calving season, so the Ndutu Plains are busy but it is amazing to see so many animals in one place.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands. Read more

FEB

VISITING TANZANIA IN FEBRUARY

Temperatures continue rising, and the migration is still on the Ndutu Plains. February is one of the optimal months for trekking Kilimanjaro, for safaris in the northern and southern parks, and for visiting Zanzibar for a beach holiday. Like January, there is still a chance of short rains, but they also usually occur at night.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands.

MAR

VISITING TANZANIA IN MARCH

As the migration starts heading west towards the Grumeti River, the temperatures are still very hot. The beginning of the month is still great for trekking, safaris and beach trips. However, towards the end of the month, there is a higher chance of rain as Tanzania moves into the long rainy season.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands.

APR - MAY

VISITING TANZANIA IN APRIL – MAY

As the migration starts heading west towards the Grumeti River, the temperatures are still very hot.

The beginning of the month is still great for trekking, safaris and beach trips. However, towards the end of the month, there is a higher chance of rain as Tanzania moves into the long rainy season.

In April, the long rainy season is in full swing. Traveling in this period is not advised, as torrential rains can affect planned excursions.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is more dangerous during this season. Many lodges are also closed.

JUN

VISITING TANZANIA IN JUNE

This is the green season, bringing lush grasses and bush that can make spotting game more difficult. However, this is still a wonderful time to travel — particularly for bird watchers as parks are full of migratory birds; especially in the south. Migration should be in the Grumeti area of the Serengeti heading north.

JUL

VISITING TANZANIA IN JULY

This is the start of the peak season. The Migration is in the north of the Serengeti moving toward Kenya, and elephant start to gather in Tarangire. The land is getting drier and spotting game is becoming easier. Temperatures are in the 80°Fs and the humidity is low.

Events & Festivals

The Great Migration river crossings (July to September): This is your best chance to observe herds of animals in their hundreds as they cross Tanzania’s rivers on their epic migration across the continent.

AUG

VISITING TANZANIA IN AUGUST

Peak season. Migration is still in the north. As the land becomes more parched, the animals’ behavior becomes more predictable. The dense bush in Ruaha is drying out so game spotting here becomes much easier.

Events & Festivals

The Great Migration river crossings (July to September): This is your best chance to observe herds of animals in their hundreds as they cross Tanzania’s rivers on their epic migration across the continent.

SEP

VISITING TANZANIA IN SEPTEMBER

Peak season. The end of the migration is still in the north, with herds on both sides of the Kenya and Tanzania borders and high numbers of elephant in Tarangire. The northern circuit can be very busy, but it is less busy in the south, so for those who want to avoid crowds it’s best to visit the southern parks.

Events & Festivals

The Great Migration river crossings (July to September): This is your best chance to observe herds of animals in their hundreds as they cross Tanzania’s rivers on their epic migration across the continent.

OCT

VISITING TANZANIA IN OCTOBER

Although it is not peak season any more, October is still quite dry and a good time for trekking, safari, or enjoying Tanzania’s beaches.

The migration is now in Kenya, but there are still plenty of animals to see. Southern parks are particularly rewarding at this time of year.

The short rainy season sometimes starts by the end of October, so the start of the month is better for travelling.

NOV

VISITING TANZANIA IN NOVEMBER

Short rains. This is a great time to take advantage of low season rates and is still a popular time to travel. The rains tend to be overnight, but there is a risk of rain during the day as well. Migrating herds are starting to travel south from Kenya, so crossings can be seen in the north of the Serengeti.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands.

DEC

VISITING TANZANIA IN DECEMBER

There is a chance of rain, but this is generally overnight. Temperatures and humidity start to build. Safari is good, with migrating herds in the north traveling south to Ndutu. The festive season can be very busy and needs to be planned well in advance to ensure availability.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands.

Wildlife in the Serengeti

The rich grasslands of the Serengeti allow it to support the millions of wildebeest that live here, before the dry season forces them north towards the Mara in southern Kenya. Woodlands and acacia trees dot the landscape, as do ‘koppies’, large granite outcrops rising up from the plains.

As well as the famous wildebeest migration, the park is home to the Big Five: rhino, lions, leopards buffalo, and elephant.

The Serengeti is home to some of the world’s fiercest predators: cheetah, spotted hyena (usually in the morning), jackal, bat-eared-fox, and wild dog. The park has the highest concentration of predators in Africa. Alongside these you’ll find giraffes, mongoose, baboons, aardvarks, colobus monkeys, monitor lizards, and giant Nile crocodiles.

The park also has the highest ostrich population in Africa, and more than 350 species of birds. There are at least four endangered animal species; the black rhino, elephant, wild dog, and cheetah.

During the dry season, when the short grasses and reduced watering holes make wildlife sightings much easier, it’s not uncommon to return from a safari in a state of silent disbelief. The abundance of wildlife, the beauty of the park, the sheer scale of it all.

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