Overview
The Serengeti is the classic safari: golden grassland to the horizon, kopjes where lions rest, and the year-round movement of wildebeest and zebra. Each region has its season, from the calving plains of Ndutu in the south to the Mara River crossings in the north.
The name comes from the Maasai word for “endless plains”. The park is the heart of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, and each area has its own character: the Seronera valley in the centre is famous for big cats all year, the Western Corridor follows the Grumeti River, the north meets the Mara River, and the short-grass plains of the south fill with calving herds early in the year.
Because the herds move with the rains, the right area depends on your dates. We plan your camps around where the wildebeest are expected to be, and add the Seronera valley for resident lions, leopards and cheetahs.
Highlights
- Great Migration all year
- Big cats in the central Seronera valley
- Mara River crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Sunrise balloon flights
Things to do here
Wildlife to look for
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Leopard
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Hyena
Good to know
Best time to visit
All year; Jan–Mar calving, Jul–Oct crossings
Getting there
About 7–8 hours by road from Arusha via Ngorongoro, or a 1–2 hour flight to one of several airstrips.
Where to stay
Lodges in the central Seronera area, and seasonal tented camps that move with the migration.
How long to stay
2–4 nights
Key facts
- Established
- 1951
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site since 1981
- Areas
- Seronera (central), Western Corridor, northern Serengeti, southern plains
- Ecosystem
- Shared with Kenya’s Masai Mara
Seasons
Dry season (June – October)
Short grass and good visibility. The herds move north through the Western Corridor and reach the Mara River from July, where the river crossings take place.
Green season (November – May)
The herds return south; calving peaks in January and February. March to May brings the long rains, green plains and fewer vehicles.
Practical tips
- Book balloon flights and northern camps early for July – October.
- Plan at least two nights: distances inside the park are long.
- Early morning and late afternoon drives give the best predator sightings.
Frequently asked questions
In the northern Serengeti, along the Mara River near the Kenyan border, usually from July to October. Crossings depend on the herds, so we stay close and keep the days flexible.
Itineraries visiting Serengeti National Park
More places nearby
Plan your safari with our team in Arusha
Tell us your dates, group size and budget. We will design an itinerary around you.
Get my safari quoteCall our team
Private vehicles, knowledgeable guides, and a real person on the phone.
+255 754 572 279+255 715 174 717info@karibuafricasafaris.com