Quick Facts
About Serengeti National Park
Peak Time
June - October
Best Time To Go
Year-Round
Famous For
The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras
Home Of
The Big Five and over 500 species of birds
Overview
The Serengeti National Park most likely comes to mind when you imagine a traditional safari. It is one of the world’s most magnificent national parks, so you are right to feel that way.
Northwest Tanzania is home to the Serengeti National Park. One of the planet’s final wildlife migrations is made possible by the park and its adjacent reserves. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for a variety of reasons, including this animal extravaganza, the area’s enormous diversity of fauna, and its stunning yet varied terrain.
The Great Wildebeest Migration and the Big Five can be seen at the Serengeti National Park, which provides year-round excellent animal viewing.
Wildlife
The Serengeti is like a living zoo, but way better because everything’s in its natural home. You’ve got the big stars, the ones everyone wants to see: lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes. They call these the Big Five, and this park is one of the top spots to tick them all off your list. There are over 3,000 lions here, making it the biggest pride in Africa. They lounge around in groups, hunting at dawn or dusk, and you might catch them teaching their cubs how to stalk prey.Elephants are everywhere too, with herds numbering more than 5,000. These gentle giants wander through the plains, munching on trees and grass, and sometimes you’ll see them splashing in the rivers to cool off. Buffaloes are tough customers, hanging out in big groups that can number in the thousands. They’ve got those curved horns that look intimidating, and they do clash with predators now and then.Then there are the rhinos, though they’re rarer—only about 70 black rhinos left in the park after years of poaching troubles. Conservation folks are working hard to protect them, even putting trackers in their horns. Giraffes tower over everything, nibbling leaves from the tallest acacias with their long necks. Cheetahs are the speed demons, zooming across the grass to catch gazelles, while hyenas scavenge and hunt in packs, their laughs echoing at night.Don’t forget the smaller guys: warthogs rooting around in the dirt, hippos wallowing in pools, and monkeys swinging through the riverine forests. There are jackals, wild dogs (they brought some back after they vanished for a bit), and even otters in the streams. Reptiles like Nile crocodiles lurk in the rivers, waiting for a meal, and snakes such as black mambas slither through the bush. It’s all connected—the predators keep the herds in check, and the grazers shape the land. Seeing a leopard draped over a tree branch or a family of elephants crossing a river is the kind of memory that sticks with you forever.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
This is the big show, the one that draws people from all over—the Great Wildebeest Migration. Imagine over 1.5 million wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, all on the move across the plains. It’s the largest land migration on the planet, a never-ending cycle driven by the search for fresh grass and water.It starts in the southern Serengeti around December to March, when the rains turn the grasslands green. That’s calving season too—half a million baby wildebeest are born in just a few weeks, a frenzy of new life that attracts predators like lions and hyenas. The herds munch away until the dry season hits, then they head north in April and May, crossing the Western Corridor with its rivers full of crocs.By June and July, they’re pushing through the Grumeti and Mara rivers, and that’s where the drama peaks. Crocodiles snap at the swimmers, and many don’t make it—drowning or getting caught. It’s chaotic, with dust clouds and thundering hooves. They reach the northern Serengeti and cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara by late July or August, grazing there until October when the rains call them south again.Along the way, Thomson’s gazelles and elands tag along, and the whole thing covers about 800 kilometres round trip. Sadly, around 250,000 wildebeest die each year from exhaustion, predators, or thirst, but it keeps the ecosystem balanced. Watching a river crossing is intense—herds hesitating on the bank, then plunging in. It’s raw nature, and timing your visit right means you get front-row seats to this epic journey.
Birdlife
If you’re into birds, the Serengeti is a paradise with over 500 different kinds flitting around. It’s not just about the big animals; the skies and trees are alive with colour and song. Start with the giants like the Maasai ostrich, the world’s biggest bird, strutting across the plains with their fluffy feathers. They can’t fly, but boy, can they run!Then there are the raptors, the hunters of the air. Martial eagles soar high, spotting prey from way up, while African fish eagles perch near rivers, ready to snatch a meal with their sharp talons. Vultures circle overhead, cleaning up after the kills—they’re nature’s recyclers. You might see a whole bunch of them gathered around a carcass.Ground birds are fun too. Kori bustards are hefty, with fancy dances during mating season, and secretarybirds stomp on snakes with their long legs. Hornbills, like the Tanzanian red-billed ones, have those huge beaks that look like they’re wearing a helmet. Water birds flock to the rivers and swamps: saddle-billed storks with their colourful bills, sacred ibises wading in the shallows, and Goliath herons standing tall like statues.In the woodlands, you’ll hear lovebirds chattering in pairs—they’re those bright green parrots that mate for life. Oxpeckers ride on the backs of rhinos and buffaloes, picking off ticks. And during the wet season, migratory birds from Europe and Asia show up, adding even more variety. Whether you’re spotting a crowned crane doing its elegant dance or a flock of flamingos turning a lake pink, the birdwatching here is top-notch. Bring binoculars; you’ll need them to catch all the details.
Activities
There is more to Serengeti than just safaris, and below are the variety of activities that can be partaken in the Serengeti National Park.
- Game drives: Drive through the plains to spot lions, elephants, and more.
- Hot air balloon safaris: Float above the landscape at dawn for aerial views.
- Walking safaris: Guided bush walks to experience the terrain up close.
- Birdwatching: Observe over 500 bird species in their habitats.
- Great Migration viewing: Watch millions of wildebeest and zebras on the move.
- Cultural tours: Visit Maasai villages to learn local traditions.
- Bush meals: Enjoy picnics or dinners in the wilderness.
- Stargazing: Gaze at clear night skies away from city lights.
Inspired by What You See? Let’s Bring Your Journey to Life!
Best Time to Visit Serengeti for Safari
Picking the right time for a Serengeti safari depends on what you want to see and how you handle crowds or weather. The park’s open all year, but seasons change the experience. The dry season, from late June to October, is popular for good reason. Skies are clear, temps hover around 25-30°C during the day, dropping cooler at night. Wildlife gathers around rivers and waterholes, making spotting easier—no thick bushes hiding them. It’s prime for general safaris, with fewer bugs and less rain to muck up the roads.If the migration is your goal, aim for December to July. Calving in the south happens January to March—adorable babies everywhere, but predators too. April to May sees the herds moving west, though it’s the long rainy season, so expect mud and fewer tourists. June and July are great for Western Corridor crossings, and August to September for the north, with dramatic Mara River action. Crowds peak then, especially in the central areas.Shoulder seasons like November to mid-December (short rains) or mid-March to May (long rains) mean lower prices and quieter spots. Rains come in afternoon bursts, turning everything lush green, and migratory birds arrive. It’s wetter, but rewarding if you don’t mind ponchos. January and February are dry-ish, perfect for southern birthing spectacles without too many people.For 2025, weather patterns might shift a bit with climate stuff, but stick to dry months for reliability. Avoid April-May if you hate rain, but embrace it for bargains. Mornings are best for game drives anyway—animals are active early. Pack layers, sunscreen, and bug spray no matter when.
Where to Stay
Staying in the Serengeti ranges from roughing it to pure luxury, with options dotted across the park’s regions. In the central Seronera area, you’ve got permanent lodges like the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, with comfy rooms, pools, and views of the plains. They’re great for families, with guided walks and meals included.For a wilder feel, tented camps are popular—think canvas walls but with real beds, hot showers, and even en-suite bathrooms. Places like Asanja Africa or Lemala Kuria Hills offer that glamping vibe, where you hear lions roaring at night but feel safe. Mobile camps follow the migration, popping up in the south during calving or north for crossings, keeping you close to the action without fixed spots.Budget folks can hit public campsites, pitching tents under the stars with basic facilities like toilets and fire pits. It’s raw, but thrilling—waking to zebras grazing nearby. Luxury end? Ultra-fancy like Four Seasons Safari Lodge or Singita Sasakwa, with private plunge pools, spa treatments, and gourmet food. They’re pricey but deliver—think helicopter transfers and personal butlers.Western Corridor has spots like Mbalageti Serengeti, near the Grumeti River for migration views. In the north, near the Mara, lodges like One Nature Nyaruswiga boast massive tents with decks overlooking the bush. Most places run on solar power, eco-friendly to protect the land. Book ahead, especially peak season, and check for all-inclusive deals covering meals and drives. Whatever you pick, falling asleep to the sounds of the wild is unforgettable.
Why Visit Serengeti National Park
Why head to the Serengeti? Simple—it's one of Earth's last true wild places, where you feel the pulse of nature up close. The landscapes alone are worth it: endless golden plains dotted with rocky koppies, rivers winding through forests, and sunsets that paint the sky orange. The wildlife diversity is insane—from the Big Five to tiny birds and bugs, it's a lesson in ecology without trying. Witnessing the migration? That's a bucket-list moment, seeing millions of animals on the move like they've done for ages.
