Tanzania safari destination
Serengeti National Park
Endless grass plains, big cat country and the greatest wildlife migration on Earth.
Location
Northern Tanzania
Best time
June to October
Ideal stay
Three to four nights
Famous for
The great migration
Location
Northern Tanzania
Best time
June to October
Ideal stay
Three to four nights
Famous for
The great migration
Follow the herds
Where the migration is depends on the month, so we plan your camp around it.
Tanzania’s endless plains
The Serengeti covers almost 15,000 square kilometres of northern Tanzania, from open short-grass plains in the south to wooded hills along the Kenyan border.
More than a million wildebeest, with zebra and gazelle, move through the park in a great loop that follows the rains. Lion, leopard and cheetah are found in every season, and the central Seronera Valley is one of the best places in Africa to watch big cats.
Where your guide will take you
- Seronera Valley
- Ndutu plains
- Grumeti River
- Mara River
- Lobo hills
- Moru Kopjes
The animals you came to see
Predators and herds share the plains in numbers few places can match.
Lion
Leopard
Cheetah
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyena
More than game drives
Hover or tap a card to see how each experience fits into your days in the Serengeti.
Guided game drives
Guided game drives
Hot air balloon safari
Hot air balloon safari
River crossings
River crossings
Walking safaris
Walking safaris
Big cat tracking
Big cat tracking
Sundowners
When to visit the Serengeti
Something is happening in every season. Where you stay matters as much as when you go.
December to March
Calving season
The herds gather on the southern plains, where thousands of calves are born and predators are close by.
April to May
Long rains
Green plains, very few vehicles and the lowest rates of the year.
Best time
June to October
River crossings
The herds move north and west, crossing the Grumeti and Mara rivers. Book early.
November
Short rains
The herds head back south as the first rains bring fresh grass.
Planning your trip
The practical details, so you can decide how to travel and where to stay.
Getting there
Fly in or drive from Arusha.
- By air: light-aircraft flights from Arusha reach airstrips across the park in about an hour.
- By road: a full day’s drive from Arusha, usually with a night at Ngorongoro on the way.
- Combined routes: pairs naturally with Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, or with the Maasai Mara.
Where to stay
Lodges and migration camps.
- Central Serengeti: lodges and camps in Seronera, good all year.
- Mobile camps: seasonal camps that move to follow the migration.
- Any budget: we match camps to your style, from comfortable mid-range to luxury.
Park entry fees are charged by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) per person, per day. Ask us for the current rates when you request your quote.
Serengeti safari tours
Ready-made trips that include the Serengeti, from Northern Circuit safaris to combined Kenya and Tanzania journeys.
- Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 11 Days 10 Nights
- Serengeti National Park
- 3 Days 2 Nights
- Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
- 4 Days 3 Nights
- Masai Mara, Nairobi, Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
- 6 Days 5 Nights
- Masai Mara Reserve
- 6 Days 5 Nights
- Serengeti National Park
- 5 Days 4 Nights
Serengeti FAQs
Can’t see your question here? Our Nairobi team is available 24/7.
Talk to Serval Tours and Travel
- +254 792 335842 (call or WhatsApp)
- info@servaltoursandtravel.com
- Blessed House, Thika Road, Nairobi
- P.O. Box 22122-00100, Nairobi
- Available 24/7
Where is the Serengeti?
The Serengeti is in northern Tanzania, west of the Ngorongoro Crater. It borders Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the north.
How many days do you need in the Serengeti?
Three to four nights is ideal. It gives you time to follow the herds, find the big cats and enjoy the scale of the plains.
Where is the migration each month?
Roughly, the herds are on the southern plains from December to March, move north and west from May to July, and reach the far north from July to October. Exact timing changes with the rains.
When can you see river crossings?
Crossings of the Mara River usually happen between July and October, but they depend on the herds and are never guaranteed.
Can you see the Big Five in the Serengeti?
Yes. Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are seen regularly. Rhino are rare, so add the Ngorongoro Crater if rhino are a priority.
How do you get to the Serengeti?
Fly from Arusha in about an hour, or drive in a day, usually stopping at Ngorongoro on the way.
Is the Serengeti worth visiting outside migration season?
Yes. Resident wildlife and big cats are excellent all year, and the quieter months bring lower rates.
Can I combine the Serengeti with the Maasai Mara?
Yes. A combined Kenya and Tanzania safari lets you see both halves of the same ecosystem.
Start planning your Serengeti safari
Tell us your dates, group size and budget. We’ll come back with a Serengeti itinerary built around the migration and the experiences you want most.