Skip to content 
Tanzania · National Parks
Serengeti National Park
Endless golden plains, millions of migrating wildebeest and some of Africa’s best big cat country.
Location
Northern Tanzania
Park size
About 14,750 km²
Best time
June to October
Ideal stay
Three to four nights
The park
The endless plains
Serengeti comes from the Maasai word for endless plains, and the name fits. Tanzania’s most famous park covers around 14,750 km² of grassland, kopjes, woodland and rivers, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
It is the heart of the Great Migration. Herds of wildebeest and zebra move in a year-round loop: calving on the southern plains early in the year, crossing the Grumeti River mid-year, and the Mara River in the north from around July to October. Timing varies with the rains. Resident lions, leopards and cheetahs make game viewing superb in every season.
Most Serengeti safaris include the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, and many cross the border to the Maasai Mara or finish in Zanzibar.
Places your guide will show you
Seronera ValleyGrumeti RiverMara RiverNdutu plainsMoru KopjesLobo
Great Migration
Herds on the move all year
Wildlife
Predators and great herds
The Serengeti supports one of the largest concentrations of predators and grazers on Earth.
Scroll for more →
01
Lion
Large prides rule the central plains and rocky kopjes.
02
Leopard
Often found resting in sausage trees in the Seronera Valley.
03
Cheetah
Hunts across the open southern and central plains.
04
Wildebeest
Over a million follow the rains in the Great Migration.
05
Spotted hyena
Common, bold and fascinating to watch at dawn.
06
Elephant
Herds roam the northern woodland and river areas.
Experiences
More than game drives
Choose how you experience the plains, from sunrise balloons to remote mobile camps.
Game drives
Full days on the plains with an English-speaking driver-guide.
Hot-air balloon
Float over the herds at sunrise, then land for breakfast.
River crossings
Watch for crossings on the Mara and Grumeti rivers in season.
Big cat tracking
Follow lions, leopards and cheetahs with expert guides.
Photography
Golden light, kopjes and huge skies.
Sundowners
A drink on the plains as the sun sets.
When to visit
The best time for Serengeti
Where you stay depends on the month, because the Migration moves around the park.
Jan – Mar
Calving season
The herds calve on the southern plains, drawing predators.
Apr – May
Long rains
Green and quiet, with lower rates. Some camps close.
Jun – Oct
Peak season
Dry season and crossings
The herds move north and cross the rivers. The busiest time.
Nov – Dec
Short rains
The herds return south with the rains.
Getting there
Reaching the park
By air
Light-aircraft flights from Arusha take about an hour to the park’s airstrips.
By road
About seven to eight hours from Arusha via Ngorongoro, with game viewing on the way.
From Kenya
Combine with the Maasai Mara or start your safari from Nairobi.
Where to stay
Lodges, camps and stays
01
Central Serengeti
Lodges and camps around Seronera, good all year.
02
Mobile camps
Tented camps that move with the Migration.
03
Northern and southern areas
Seasonal camps close to the herds.
Park entry fees are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and charged per person per day. Ask us for current rates when you request your quote.
Ready-made trips
Serengeti safari tours
Tanzania safaris and Kenya and Tanzania combinations that include the Serengeti.
- Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha
- 5 Days 4 Nights
- Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 3 Days 2 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 11 Days 10 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 7 Days 6 Nights
Good to know
Serengeti FAQs
Where is the Serengeti?
In northern Tanzania, bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the north.
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
Calving happens on the southern plains from January to March, and river crossings in the north usually from July to October. Timing varies every year.
How many days do you need in the Serengeti?
Three to four nights is ideal, combined with Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
Can you see the Big Five in the Serengeti?
Yes, though rhinos are rare. Ngorongoro Crater gives a better chance of seeing rhino.
How do I get to the Serengeti?
Fly from Arusha in about an hour, or drive via Ngorongoro in a full day.
Can I combine the Serengeti with the Maasai Mara?
Yes. Many safaris combine both parks, travelling via Nairobi or Arusha.
Talk to a planner
Still deciding?
Our Nairobi team can answer anything about Serengeti and shape a route around your dates.
- +254 111 318 596
- +254 705 223 484
- info@topmatoursandsafaris.com
- Mon – Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Your journey
Start your Serengeti journey
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and we will shape a Serengeti itinerary around the season and the experiences you want.
