Address: Kiligolf B26 Arusha, 10155

Overview

The world’s most famous safari destination

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s largest and most iconic national park. Covering over 30,000 km², it protects one of the world’s last intact large-mammal ecosystems. The park’s vast grassland plains, acacia woodlands, riverine forests and rocky kopjes support extraordinary concentrations of wildlife year-round.

The Serengeti is best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration — the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles across the plains — but it also offers outstanding predator sightings, Big Five encounters and some of Africa’s most photogenic landscapes at any time of year.

Good to know

  • Size~30,000 km²
  • LocationNorthern Tanzania, ~330km from Arusha
  • Known forGreat Migration, Big Five, predators
  • LandscapePlains, woodland, kopjes, rivers
  • Often combined withNgorongoro, Tarangire, Zanzibar
  • Minimum visit2–3 days; 4–5 for a full experience
Why Serengeti

What makes the Serengeti unlike anywhere else

Great Wildebeest Migration

The annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles — one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles, happening year-round within the ecosystem.

Big Five

Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and black rhinos all present in the Serengeti ecosystem, making it one of Tanzania’s premier Big Five safari destinations.

Year-round wildlife viewing

Every season brings something different — calving on the southern plains in January–March, the river crossings in July–October and resident wildlife throughout.

Predator capital of Africa

Large lion prides, cheetahs on the open plains, elusive leopards in riverine trees and spotted hyenas make the Serengeti one of Africa’s best predator-watching destinations.

Vast, open landscapes

Endless savannah plains and iconic granite kopjes provide open sightlines and dramatic photography opportunities unlike anywhere else in Africa.

Hot air balloon safaris

Dawn balloon flights over the Serengeti plains are one of the most memorable safari experiences in Africa, finishing with a bush breakfast.

Private & family safaris

Private vehicles give complete flexibility over timing, routes and stops — ideal for families, honeymoon couples and wildlife photographers.

Luxury & budget options

From premium tented camps and luxury lodges to budget camping safaris — the Serengeti caters to every travel style and budget.

Zanzibar combination

A Serengeti safari pairs perfectly with a beach finish in Zanzibar — one of the most popular Tanzania travel combinations.

Wildlife

Who you’ll encounter on a Serengeti safari

Lion

Lions

Large prides roam the Serengeti’s plains and kopjes, making this one of the best places in Africa to observe lion behaviour.

Cheetah

Cheetahs

The open plains of the Serengeti are among the best places on earth to watch cheetahs hunt in daylight.

Wildebeest migration Serengeti

Wildebeest

Over 1.5 million blue wildebeest drive the Great Migration — one of the most extraordinary wildlife events on earth.

Elephant Serengeti

Elephants

Large herds roam across the Serengeti’s woodland areas, often seen digging for water or feeding along river banks.

Leopard in tree

Leopards

Elusive and solitary, leopards are often spotted resting in riverine trees along the Seronera Valley.

Zebras

Zebras

Hundreds of thousands of zebras move with the wildebeest herds, creating dramatic scenes across the plains.

Giraffe

Giraffes

Commonly seen browsing acacia trees across the Serengeti’s woodland zones, particularly in the central and western areas.

Cape buffalo

Buffalo

Large herds of Cape buffalo are found across the Serengeti, often gathering near waterholes and river crossings.

Also present in the Serengeti: Hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, impalas, topis, elands, ostriches, flamingos, secretary birds, kori bustards, and over 500 recorded bird species.
Great Wildebeest Migration Serengeti
Signature Event

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Over 1.5 million wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, move in a continuous circuit through the Serengeti ecosystem and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The migration is not a single event — it is a year-round cycle, with different highlights in different seasons.

Calving season on the southern plains (January–March) brings newborns and predator action. The dramatic Mara River crossings (July–October) are some of the most photographed wildlife moments in Africa. Every month in the Serengeti offers a different chapter of the migration story.

Predators

Africa’s greatest predator concentration

The Serengeti’s vast prey base supports extraordinary numbers of large predators. Lions are present across the park in significant numbers, while the open plains give cheetahs ideal hunting territory. Leopards favour the riverine forest along the Seronera Valley, and spotted hyenas are active throughout.

Early morning and late afternoon drives offer the best chances of watching predators hunt, and the Seronera area is one of Africa’s most reliably productive big-cat destinations.

Lion on the Serengeti
Landscape

Five distinct habitats across the Serengeti plains

Short-Grass Plains

The calving grounds of the southern Serengeti, drawing vast herds and their predators January–March.

Acacia Woodland

Central and western zones with dense tree cover — ideal habitat for leopards, elephants and buffalo.

Riverine Forest

Forest along the Seronera and Grumeti rivers, providing cover for leopards and habitat for crocodiles and hippos.

Rocky Kopjes

Granite outcrops rising from the plains — favourite resting spots for lions, leopards and rock hyrax.

Northern Plains

Remote, less-visited region — prime territory during the northern migration and Mara River crossings.

Best Time to Visit

Every month offers a different Serengeti experience

June–October’s dry season is peak safari season with excellent wildlife viewing and the Mara River crossings. January–March brings wildebeest calving and intense predator action on the southern plains. November–December’s short rains bring lush scenery and fewer crowds, while April–May is the quietest period with the most dramatic green landscapes.

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Safari Experiences

How to explore the Serengeti

Game Drives

Morning and evening drives across the plains, kopjes and river valleys in a private 4×4 safari vehicle.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

A dawn flight over the endless plains, finishing with a traditional bush breakfast — one of Africa’s great experiences.

Migration Tracking

Follow the herds with your guide — from calving on the southern plains to the dramatic Mara River crossings.

Photography Safaris

Open landscapes and extraordinary wildlife density make the Serengeti one of Africa’s greatest photography destinations.

Luxury Tented Camps

Premium mobile camps follow the migration, placing you in the heart of the action with exceptional comfort.

Budget Camping Safaris

An immersive, authentic way to experience the Serengeti — falling asleep to the sounds of the wild plains.

Sample Itineraries

Popular Serengeti safari routes

Classic Northern Circuit (6 Days)

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire

Depart Arusha and spend the afternoon game driving through Tarangire, famous for its large elephant herds and baobab trees.

Day 2 — Tarangire to Ngorongoro

Morning game drive in Tarangire before travelling to the Ngorongoro highlands for dinner and overnight on the crater rim.

Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater

Full-day descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, searching for lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and the rare black rhino.

Days 4–5 — Serengeti

Two full days exploring the Serengeti — morning and evening game drives focusing on predators, plains game and, when in season, the Great Migration.

Day 6 — Serengeti to Arusha

Final morning game drive before the return journey to Arusha or onward flight to Zanzibar.

Serengeti & Zanzibar Combination (7 Days)

Day 1 — Fly Zanzibar to Serengeti

Fly directly from Zanzibar to the Serengeti and begin your safari with an afternoon game drive on arrival.

Days 2–3 — Full Serengeti Exploration

Two full days dedicated to the Serengeti’s plains, kopjes, rivers and wildlife — tracking predators and the Great Migration herds.

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater

Travel to Ngorongoro and descend into the crater for a full game drive — the Big Five in a compact, dramatic setting.

Day 5 — Tarangire

Explore Tarangire’s elephant herds and baobab landscape before flying to Zanzibar for your beach extension.

Days 6–7 — Zanzibar

Two days relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches — the perfect finish to a Tanzania safari and beach combination.

Planning

Serengeti vs the other northern parks

ParkBest known forChoose it if…
SerengetiGreat Migration, predators, vast plains, Big FiveYou want the most complete, large-scale wildlife experience in Tanzania
NgorongoroBig Five concentration, black rhinos, dramatic craterYou want maximum wildlife in a compact, dramatic single-day setting
TarangireElephant herds, baobab trees, open savannahYour priority is elephants and a quieter, less-crowded safari
Lake ManyaraTree-climbing lions, groundwater forest, flamingosYou want diverse habitats and scenery in a compact, easy park
Combine Your Safari

The Serengeti pairs well with every northern Tanzania destination

Most travellers combine the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire to cover the full Northern Circuit. Adding Zanzibar creates one of Tanzania’s most popular travel combinations — wildlife followed by a beach escape.

Classic Northern Circuit

The most complete Northern Tanzania safari, covering elephants, the crater, and the Serengeti’s plains.

Arusha
Tarangire
Ngorongoro
Serengeti
Arusha

Serengeti & Zanzibar — Safari & Beach

Fly between Zanzibar and the Serengeti without returning to Arusha — ideal for fly-in safari travellers.

Zanzibar
Serengeti
Ngorongoro
Zanzibar

Honeymoon Safari — Wildlife & Romance

Combine the Serengeti’s plains with Ngorongoro’s drama and Zanzibar’s beaches for a complete honeymoon journey.

Tarangire
Ngorongoro
Serengeti
Zanzibar
Who It’s For

The Serengeti for every type of traveller

Families

Children can see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, cheetahs and wildebeest in one of the world’s most wildlife-rich environments. Private vehicles allow the itinerary to flex around children’s needs.

Big FiveWildebeest CheetahsGiraffes Private vehicleFlexible itinerary

Honeymoons

Private game drives, luxury tented camps, sunset experiences, bush breakfasts and hot air balloon flights combine to make the Serengeti one of Africa’s most romantic safari destinations.

Luxury campsHot air balloon Sunset drivesBush breakfast Zanzibar finish

Wildlife Photographers

Open sightlines, extraordinary predator concentrations and the drama of the Great Migration make the Serengeti one of Africa’s ultimate photography destinations in every season.

Predator actionMigration Open plainsKopjes Golden light

Budget & Adventure Travellers

Camping safaris, shared vehicles and public campsites make the Serengeti accessible for travellers on tighter budgets without compromising on the core wildlife experience.

Camping safarisGroup vehicles Authentic experiencePublic campsites

Plan your Serengeti safari

From the Great Wildebeest Migration and Big Five game drives to luxury tented camps and family safaris — let’s build a Serengeti itinerary tailored to your interests, travel dates and budget.

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