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Tanzania · East Africa · Safari

Serengeti National Park

Endless plains, big cats and the Great Migration year-round in different parts of the park.

Best timeJan to Feb, Jun to Oct
Ideal stay3 to 4 nights
GatewayKilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha
Month by month
  1. JAnuary (good)
  2. FEbruary (good)
  3. MArch
  4. APril
  5. MAy
  6. JUne (good)
  7. JUly (good)
  8. AUgust (good)
  9. SEptember (good)
  10. OCtober (good)
  11. NOvember
  12. DEcember

Travel advice: some regions are off-limits. Check your government’s advice for the exact areas before you book.

The Serengeti is the safari people picture in their heads: golden grassland, acacias, lion prides on kopjes and, at the right time, more than a million wildebeest on the move. The migration is somewhere in the wider ecosystem all year, so the trick is choosing the right camp for your month.

Male lion on savannaLionLeopard (Panthera pardus) male in a tree ... (46078529055)LeopardCheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) female 2CheetahBlue wildebeest herd gathering at the Mara River, Serengeti National ParkWildebeestPlains zebras (Equus quagga) KrugerZebraSpotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) SerengetiSpotted hyenaAfrican bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) female with six-week-old babyElephant

Highlights

  • Calving season in the southern plains (about January to March)
  • Mara River crossings in the north (about July to October)
  • Big cats around Seronera in the centre
  • Hot-air balloon flights at dawn

Wildlife to look for

Where to stay

Choose mobile or seasonal camps that follow the herds, or a permanent lodge in central Seronera for good game all year. Budget camping safaris also run from Arusha.

Getting there

Fly from Arusha to one of several airstrips, or drive via Ngorongoro (a long but scenic day). Most visitors combine it with Ngorongoro and Tarangire.

Tips

  • Ask your operator where the herds usually are in your month, and book the camp, not just the park.
  • The long rains (about April and May) bring lower prices and green landscapes, but some camps close.
  • Park fees are charged per person per 24 hours, so check what is included in your quote.

Best time to visit

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct. See where to go in Africa in January and our guide to the best time to visit Africa.

Travel advice: Parts of the country are off-limits under most government travel advice. Check your government’s advice before booking.

Plan your stay

Hotels on Booking.com Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

These searches open on the booking sites. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Always check reviews and the operator’s licence.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park?

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct. Ask your operator where the herds usually are in your month, and book the camp, not just the park.

How long should I spend at Serengeti National Park?

3 to 4 nights.

How do I get to Serengeti National Park?

Fly from Arusha to one of several airstrips, or drive via Ngorongoro (a long but scenic day). Most visitors combine it with Ngorongoro and Tarangire.

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