Serengeti National Park — Tanzania's Endless Plains

SECTION 01

The Endless Plains

The word Serengeti comes from the Maasai word Siringet, meaning "endless plains." Spanning nearly 14,750 square kilometres (5,700 square miles), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is Africa's most iconic safari destination.

It boasts the highest concentration of large predators on earth and plays host to the single greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet: the Great Wildebeest Migration. Whether you are hunting for the Big Five or seeking untouched wilderness, the Serengeti delivers an unparalleled, raw African experience.

"The Serengeti is not just a place — it is a feeling. A raw, ancient pulse that reminds you of what the world was before we changed it."

🦒 Serengeti, Tanzania

Serengeti, Tanzania

SECTION 02

Where is Serengeti National Park Located?

The Serengeti is located in northern Tanzania, extending all the way to the country's border with Kenya, where it seamlessly connects with the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

It forms the core of the broader Serengeti Ecosystem, bordered by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast and the Grumeti Game Reserve to the west.

North Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya 🇰🇪
Southeast Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🦏
West Grumeti Game Reserve 🐊

Serengeti NP

Key Airstrips

River Crossings

Neighbouring Parks

SAFARI TOURS & PACKAGES

Serengeti Safari Tours

Browse All Safaris →

Best Seller From $2,490

7 Days / 6 Nights

7 Days Big Cats Northern Circuit

Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Lion & Cheetah sightings
Great Migration zone
Luxury tented camp

★ 4.9 (128) View Itinerary →

Top Rated From $3,890

9 Days / 8 Nights

9 Days Ultimate Northern Circuit

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire & More

Full northern Tanzania circuit
Ndutu calving season option
Premium lodge accommodation

★ 5.0 (84) View Itinerary →

Couples Choice From $3,290

8 Days / 7 Nights

8 Days Luxury Honeymoon Safari

Northern Tanzania Circuit

Private Serengeti game drives
Romantic bush dinners
5-star lodge & camp

★ 4.9 (67) View Itinerary →

Quick Escape From $1,290

3 Days / 2 Nights

3 Days Serengeti Migration Express

Serengeti — Southern Plains

Migration highlights in 3 days
Seronera wildlife corridor
Ndovu plains visit

★ 4.8 (54) View Itinerary →

Jan – Mar Special From $2,980

8 Days / 7 Nights

8 Days Ndutu Calving Migration Safari

Ndutu & Southern Serengeti Plains

500,000 calves born in 3 weeks
Intense lion & cheetah predator action
Ndutu short-grass plains

★ 5.0 (61) View Itinerary →

Active Safari From $1,750

5 Days / 4 Nights

5 Days Tarangire & Serengeti Combo

Tarangire & Central Serengeti

Elephant herds of Tarangire
Serengeti game drives included
Walking safari elements

★ 4.8 (88) View Itinerary →

SECTION 04

The Great Migration

The true heartbeat of the Serengeti is the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, and hundreds of thousands of gazelles. This is not a single event, but a year-round, circular journey driven by the search for fresh grass and water.

Jan – Mar

Calving Season

Apr – Jun

The Trek North

Jul – Oct

The River Crossings

Nov – Dec

The Return South

January – March

The Calving Season

The mega-herds settle on the rich, short-grass plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. In February alone, roughly 500,000 calves are born within a 3-week window. This massive influx of vulnerable newborns triggers intense predator-prey action from resident lion prides, cheetahs, and hyenas.

500,000 calves born within a 3-week window
Intense predator-prey action — lions, cheetahs, hyenas
Rich short-grass plains of Ndutu
January – March only

April – June

The Trek North

As the southern plains dry up, the herds move northwest. By June, they reach the Grumeti River, facing their first major water crossing against giant Nile crocodiles. This is an incredible time for long, dramatic columns of marching animals through the Western Corridor.

Dramatic columns of wildebeest moving northwest
First Grumeti River crossings with massive crocodiles
Western Corridor grasslands at their most active
April – June timing

July – October

The River Crossings

The peak of safari drama. The herds arrive at the Mara River on the border of Kenya. Driven by hunger, they plunge down steep cliffs into crocodile-infested waters. Witnessing a chaotic, high-stakes river crossing is the holy grail of wildlife photography.

Mara River crossings — the holy grail of wildlife photography
Crocodile ambushes at multiple crossing points
Peak predator activity in Northern Serengeti
July – October is the prime window

November – December

The Return South

With the arrival of the short rains, the herds turn around and trek rapidly back south through the eastern corridors, resetting the cycle just in time for the green grass of the southern plains and the next calving season.

Rapid southward trek through eastern corridors
Fresh green grass signals the herds to move
Calving cycle resets — southern plains bloom
November – December transition window

SECTION 05

Top Things to Do in the Serengeti

🎈

Serengeti, Tanzania

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari

Float silently over the endless plains as the sun breaks the horizon, followed by a champagne bush breakfast. One of the most magical experiences in all of Africa.

🦒

Serengeti, Tanzania

Explore Moru Kopjes

Visit the striking, giant granite rock outcrops that break up the flat plains; these are prime spots for spotting leopards and the rare black rhino.

🦁

Serengeti, Tanzania

Guided Wilderness Walking Safaris

While traditional walking is restricted in the main driving sectors, a few specialised operators run multi-day trekking safaris in designated wilderness zones accompanied by an armed TANAPA ranger.

SECTION 06

Getting There

Most travellers arrive via Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK).

1–2 HRS

Option A — Fastest

✈️

Fly-In Safari

Board a small bush plane from Arusha directly to one of the Serengeti's internal airstrips (like Seronera or Kogatende). This saves days of bumpy driving and maximises your time viewing wildlife.

7–8 HRS

Option B — Scenic Route

🚙

Drive Safari

Travel by a 4x4 safari vehicle from Arusha. While long, this route usually includes stops and overnight stays at Lake Manyara, Tarangire, or the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater along the way.

SECTION 07

Where to Stay in the Serengeti

Choose your accommodation based on where the migration herds are during your travel months.

Central Serengeti

Best: All Year

Best for year-round wildlife and central safari positioning. The Seronera Valley offers the most consistent predator sightings in all of Africa.

💎 Luxury

Four Seasons Safari Lodge

Luxury resort with an elephant watering hole pool

One Nature Nyaruswiga

Ultra-luxury tents with claw-foot tubs

⚖️ Mid-Range

Meliá Serengeti Lodge

Modern eco-friendly lodge with panoramic valley views

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Stylish tented camp with an infinity pool

💰 Smart Value

Serengeti Tortilis Camp

Highly rated eco-tented camp

Seronera Wildlife Lodge

Rustic lodge built into a giant granite kopje

Northern Serengeti

Best: Jul – Oct

Best for July to October Mara River migration crossings — the most dramatic wildlife spectacle on earth.

💎 Luxury

Asilia Sayari Camp

Award-winning camp near crossing points

Serengeti Bushtops

Massive private decks with outdoor hot tubs

⚖️ Mid-Range

Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge

Glass-fronted suites nestled among giant boulders

Ang'ata Serengeti Kogatende

Mobile canvas camp optimised for the river crossings

💰 Smart Value

Africa Safari Lobo Camp

Clean entry-level canvas safari glamping

Chaka Camp

Reliable semi-permanent mobile camp

Western Corridor

Best: May – Jun

Best for May and June migration action — dramatic Grumeti River crossings with massive Nile crocodiles.

💎 Luxury

Singita Sasakwa Lodge

Edwardian-style manor in a private concession

&Beyond Grumeti River Lodge

Contemporary design on a vibrant river tributary

⚖️ Mid-Range

Mbalageti Serengeti

Stone-and-thatch chalets with sweeping valley views

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Traditional village-inspired architectural style

💰 Smart Value

Ikoma Safari Camp

Budget-friendly canvas and stone cabins just outside the border

Grumeti Migration Camp

Simple, reliable setup for the western crossing season

Southern Serengeti

Best: Dec – Mar

Best for December to March short-grass calving season on the Ndutu plains — an explosion of life.

💎 Luxury

Mwiba Lodge

Ultra-private safari oasis set in a private river gorge

&Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas

Ultra-luxury mobile camp tracking the herds

⚖️ Mid-Range

Ndutu Safari Lodge

Historic classic safari cottages on Lake Ndutu

Tanzania Bush Camps Ndutu

Seasonal mobile canvas camp

💰 Smart Value

Africa Safari South Serengeti

Affordable canvas tents on the savannah

Ndutu Heritage Camp

Simple camp focused on a raw wilderness experience

YOUR SERENGETI EXPERT

Mwalimu

Tanzania Travel Expert

8+ years · 2,400+ consultations

✓ Best Serengeti timing for your dates
✓ Migration zone selection
✓ Lodge & camp recommendations
✓ Budget & itinerary building

🟩 Available now — no waiting

FREE · 30 MINUTES · NO OBLIGATION

Free 30-minute call with our Serengeti expert

Get direct, honest advice on the best migration timing, which region to stay in, and how to build your perfect Serengeti safari.

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TRAVELLER STORIES

What Our Serengeti Guests Say

★★★★★ 4.9 / 5 from verified reviews

"We witnessed three Mara River crossings in one morning. The sheer scale of it — thousands of wildebeest plunging into the water — is something that will stay with me forever. Larema placed us in exactly the right spot."

"Larema made our Tanzania honeymoon absolutely magical. Every detail was personalised — from the Serengeti sunrise to the Zanzibar sunset dhow cruise. Our guide knew exactly where the lions were every morning."

"We arrived in February for the calving season. 500,000 calves in three weeks — the predator action was extraordinary. Larema's team knew every lion pride by name. This trip changed our lives."

SECTION 08

Frequently Asked Questions

The peak dry season from July to October is best for general wildlife viewing and witnessing the Mara River crossings. However, January to March is equally spectacular for the calving season in the south, with intense predator action on the Ndutu plains.

Yes, the Serengeti is highly secure. You will be accompanied by professional guides who understand animal behaviour. Lodges and tented camps have 24/7 security teams to escort you safely at night.

Safaris vary widely. Budget camping safaris start around $250–$350 USD per day, mid-range lodge safaris average $400–$700 USD per day, and ultra-exclusive luxury fly-in options can exceed $1,200+ USD per night. Contact us for a fully customised quote.

Yes! The park is home to all of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. While lions and elephants are incredibly common, rhinos are rare and mostly found near the Moru Kopjes region.

No. To preserve the wildlife habitat, the Tanzanian government does not allow permanent human settlements inside the park boundaries, and walking is restricted to highly specialised wilderness zones. However, both cultural Boma visits and walking safaris can easily be experienced just outside the park gates or in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The Endless Plains

The Endless Plains

Where is Serengeti National Park Located?

Serengeti Safari Tours

7 Days Big Cats Northern Circuit

9 Days Ultimate Northern Circuit

8 Days Luxury Honeymoon Safari

3 Days Serengeti Migration Express

8 Days Ndutu Calving Migration Safari

5 Days Tarangire & Serengeti Combo

The Great Migration

The Calving Season

The Trek North

The River Crossings

The Return South

Top Things to Do in the Serengeti

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Safari

Explore Moru Kopjes

Guided Wilderness Walking Safaris

Getting There

Where to Stay in the Serengeti

Mwalimu

Free 30-minute call with our Serengeti expert

Tanzania for Everyone: Fully Accessible Safaris & Tours

What Our Serengeti Guests Say

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Frequently Asked Questions

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