Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

Background Info: Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size. Join us on a safari and explore the endless Serengeti plains dotted with trees and kopjes from which majestic lions control their kingdom; gaze upon the Great Migration in awe or find an elusive leopard in a riverine forest. Or perhaps see everything from a bird’s-eye view and soar over the plains at sunrise during a hot air balloon safari. Accommodation options come in every price range - the sound of lions roaring at night is complimentary.

Although the Serengeti is home to the Big 5, it's best known for being host to the Great Wildebeest Migration. This grand annual spectacle is when millions of wildebeest, followed by gazelle and zebra, seek greener pastures and dodging predators along the way. Their circuit journey continues south in the Serengeti before heading west, then north into the Maasai Mara, before returning to their starting point. Predators lurk on their heels, pouncing when they see the opportunity, making this journey packed with exhilarating wildlife sightings. The Serengeti stage is set for the drama to unfold, with varying terrain ranging from volcanic grasslands to vast plains, interrupted by rocky outcrops, snaking rivers, and forests.


Destination Highlights - Serengeti National Park

  • The Great Migration:his is arguably the most famous spectacle in the Serengeti. The Great Migration is the annual movement of over two million wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores across the Serengeti ecosystem, following the rains in search of fresh grazing lands.
  • The Calving Season:From December to March, the herds gather in the southern Serengeti to give birth to their young. This attracts a high concentration of predators.
  • Unparalleled Wildlife Viewing: The park is famous for its large lion prides, and it's also one of the best places in Africa to spot cheetahs and the elusive leopards. The vast plains are home to an incredible array of animals, including giraffes, hippos, hyenas, and over 500 species of birds.
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari: A dawn hot air balloon ride over the plains is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You'll get a breathtaking aerial view of the landscape and wildlife, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush upon landing.
  • The Olduvai Gorge:Often called the "Cradle of Mankind," this is a significant archaeological site located near the Serengeti. A visit to the Olduvai Gorge museum offers a fascinating glimpse into human evolution, with exhibits of hominid fossils and tools dating back millions of years.
  • The Kopjes: These are unique rock formations that rise out of the endless plains. They provide shelter and vantage points for animals, and you can often find lions, cheetahs, and other predators basking on the rocks. The Moru Kopjes, for example, are a well-known location for spotting black rhinos
Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park Wildlife Experience

The Serengeti is one of the most famous parks in Africa and is synonymous with wildlife and classic African scenery. It is Tanzania's oldest park and a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to the spectacular wildebeest migration and offers top-class wildlife viewing throughout the year. The Serengeti offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. All the major safari animals occur in great numbers. Cheetah and four of the Big 5 are easily seen, but rhino sightings are rare, and only black rhino are present. Aside from the big cats, many other predators can be spotted including spotted hyena (especially in the morning), jackal and bat-eared fox. Big herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and many antelope, such as eland, topi, kongoni and impala are resident at any time of the year. All three big cats are easily seen. Lion are often found on a kill. Cheetah are very common on the southeastern plains, while leopard can typically be found lazing in one of the big trees along the Seronera River.

Locate the Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

Best time to visit
The Serengeti National Park

The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to February or from June to October. However, the Serengeti’s density of wildlife offers a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of the year you visit. The park’s open plains and mild climate mean that vegetation is never too dense to see animals, and the region’s two short rainy seasons from November to December and March to April are rarely too unpleasant.

Serengeti National Park

How to get there

Although located in a rather remote corner of our planet, Serengeti National Park is easily accessible. Most travellers start their Serengeti safari adventure at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or bustling Arusha. From here you may either travel to your preferred lodge by means of a short transfer flight or by safari vehicle. It is also possible to combine the two and enjoy the best of both worlds! .

Serengeti National Park Birdlife

Serengeti hosts more than 500 species of birds, making it a perfect destination for avid birders. If you are a typical birder and have specific birds that you may wish to see, with its endless plains, the west corridor has diverse vegetation that favours a birdlife ecosystem with open savannah, whistling thorns, acacia trees, grassland, and a riverine forest along the Grumeti River. Serengeti is home to “Serengeti Specials,” which are endemic to the park and not found anywhere else. They include Schalow’s wheatear, Schalow’s turaco, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike and red-throated tit.

Kori bustard, black herons, martial eagle, Tanzania red-billed hornbill, Egyptian geese, Masai ostrich, crowned cranes, hamerkrops, secretary bird, black herons, marabou stork, lesser flamingo, etc. Unlike game viewing, which can be done at any time of the year, the best time for birding is during the rainy season. More prolonged rains are from March to May, and the shorter rains are from November. During this period, Serengeti received migratory birds from Europe and other parts of the world. The best place for birding safaris is the Seronera area, the central part of the park, which also hosts more nocturnal birds. Lake Ndutu is for vultures and secretary birds, and Lobo Hills is for birds of prey like eagles.