The Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is home to the largest concentration of mammals in Africa. Located in the northern part of Tanzania, it partly joins the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, providing a backdrop for the largest annual animal migration in the world.

Established in 1940, Serengeti National Park spans over 14,763 km2, with vast expanses of grassland plains and swathes of riverine forests. Over 2 million blue wildebeest 300,000 zebra and several herds of Thomson’s gazelle and elands live here, not to mention lions and other predators.

In recognition of its ecological importance, Serengeti National Park is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. For many years, the ecosystem provided fertile grazing land for nomadic Maasai people, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the eastern side of the park.

What’s the best time to Visit Serengeti National Park?

Undoubtedly, Serengeti is a great place for exceptional wildlife viewing year-round. With the largest concentration of mammals on the planet, you’ll see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), wildebeests, zebras, giraffe, eland, Grant’s gazelle, and impala among others.

The highlight of traveler’s experiences in Serengeti is the Great Migration. More than one million wildebeests and large herds of zebras, gazelles, and elands trek yearly towards Masai Mara in Kenya. However, they have to cross the Mara and Grumeti Rivers where crocodiles lie in wait.

Understandably, thousands of travelers flock to Serengeti during the Great Migration and the calving period. They are notably the high seasons in the park. Crowds and a high number of vehicles are witnessed. This puts pressure on accommodation facilities, increasing their rates.

The Great Migration in Serengeti

If you want to witness this longest overland migration in the world, then the best time to visit Serengeti National Park would be in June to September. By October, all the migrating animals will have made their way into Kenya but game viewing in Serengeti still remains spectacular.

November to December is a quiet low season in Serengeti National Park. Crowds are less during this time and you can take advantage of lower rates. However, short rains in the region bring fresh grasslands for grazing in the southern areas and herds start returning back for calving.

It’s worth noting that, wildebeest migration is a game of wait and see. Sometimes trekking routes for these animals are unpredictable. So tourists should feel free to engage in other activities in the park. This includes game drives, birding, hot air balloon rides, and guided nature walks.

The calving season in the Serengeti

January and February is the calving season in the Serengeti. Wildebeests, zebras, and other herds concentrate in the southern part of the park and give birth to calves numbering in hundreds of thousands. This typically attracts lions, leopards, hyenas, and other predators.

The Ndutu Plains area is lush green during this period following the November short rains. Resident wildlife such as elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, and antelopes can be seen. Calving in this region is often motivated by rich low-lying grasslands that present little predation danger to the young ones.

March marks the end of the calving season as long rains begin. Herds now begin heading west, leaving the Ndutu region. As rains intensify in April and May, crowds in the Serengeti become extremely less. As camps and lodges become quiet, it’s arguably the best time to go for low rates.

What else can I expect when I visit Serengeti National Park?

In addition to game viewing, travelers in Serengeti National Park can enjoy plenty of other captivating activities.

Bird watching

Birding is one of the major activities tourists enjoy while on their Serengeti safari. The park has more than 500 bird species. The climate in the region has contributed to the existence of rare bird species in Serengeti including the Grey-breasted spurfowl and Rufous-tailed Weaver.

Most of the birds in Serengeti are permanent residents. So, bird watching in Serengeti can be a year-round activity. However, the best time for birding is during the rainy season (March to May and November. It’s a conducive time for nesting and influx of migratory species from North Africa and Europe.

Bird lovers who would wish to see more bird species should focus their safari around Lake Ndutu and Seronera River Valley. Here you’ll see water birds, ostriches, secretary birds, vultures, and nocturnal Night Jars. Those interested in birds of prey like Eagles should visit the Lobo Hills of Serengeti.

Hot air balloon ride

A hot air balloon ride is a great way to explore and experience the vastness of the Serengeti National Park. From a bird’s eye view, you will see stunning landscapes, wildlife, rivers, and streams of Serengeti. Low flights can always allow you to take some great aerial photos.

The best odds for witnessing the source of great migration is booking a ride in the Ndutu area. Large herds of wildebeests and zebras congregate here for calving from December to March. There are also more balloon flights run daily from other areas in the park including Senorera and Northern Serengeti.

Although not cheap, hot air balloon adventures are worth the expense. Costs can range between $400-$600 per person inclusive of a champagne breakfast after landing. The balloon is shared by up to around 15 people. Flights last between 50 and 70 minutes depending on the landing site.

Guided nature walks

Walking tours in Serengeti National Park is a thrilling activity. This intimate excursion gives a close interaction with nature in its purest form. You can spot wildlife up-close including birds without noise from a roaring engine. Only sounds of various animals and a feel of fresh breeze.

Nature walks in Serengeti are done under the guidance of experienced Masai people and sometimes under the watch of a Park Ranger. Groups of not less than 6 are recommended. Walks can go up to 1-3 hours depending on the group’s trekking capabilities. 

While walking safaris in Serengeti are generally safe, it’s best to exercise caution and follow the park rules. Animals’ behaviors are unpredictable and it’s best to keep distance and respect them in their habitat. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to take part in nature walks.

How do I get to the Serengeti National Park?

The most common way to reach Serengeti National Park is by flying into Tanzania or one of the nearby airports. From there you can arrange transportation by road into the park. Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha is the closest to Serengeti National Park.

Domestic flights also fly from the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Arusha Airport to Seronera Airstrip or Grumeti Airstrip in the Serengeti. This can be expensive but it’s the most convenient option. Your tour operator can advise accordingly.

Many visitors choose to drive from Arusha, which is a popular starting point for safaris in northern Tanzania. You can decide to head to the Ngorongoro crater before connecting to Serengeti National Park. The drive requires a 4×4 vehicle, especially during the rainy season.

Where should I stay in the Serengeti?

Various accommodation options are available in Serengeti National Park to suit different preferences and budgets.

There are several lodges and tented camps offering high-end accommodation. Here you’ll find Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, gourmet dining, and sometimes an outdoor fire place. Among them are the andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas, Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge and Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.

During the Great Migration season, mobile camps are also set up in strategic locations to provide front-row seats to the wildlife spectacle. Examples include Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp and Asilia’s Ubuntu and Olakira Migration Camps. 

If you’re looking for more affordable options without compromising on the experience, rent or bring your own camping gear to any of the designated campsites within the park. Basic facilities are provided, including guards, simple toilets and showers.  Remember to carry your meals and toiletries.