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Serengeti National Park

The land of endless plains and ancient migrations.

Northern Circuit Destination

About Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is not just a destination, it is a reckoning with the ancient. Stretching across 14,000 square kilometers of open savanna, this is the earth at its most elemental: grass and sky and the unceasing movement of life. The name itself, derived from the Maasai word 'Siringet', means 'endless plains', and standing here at dawn, with the acacia silhouettes against a bleeding horizon, you understand why.\n\nThis is the theater of the Great Migration, the largest movement of land animals on the planet, where 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebra, and 200,000 gazelle follow ancient instincts in a continuous loop across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. But the Serengeti is not only about the migration. Year-round, the park hosts the densest concentration of predators in Africa: lion prides draped across granite kopjes, leopards hanging their kills in acacia forks, and cheetah mothers teaching cubs the geometry of the hunt.\n\nIn the north, the Mara River crossings, where crocodiles wait in churning brown water, are among the most visceral wildlife spectacles on Earth. In the south, Ndutu's short-grass plains host the calving season in January and February, when tens of thousands of wildebeest calves are born within days of each other. The Serengeti does not offer you wildlife, it demands you witness it.

“There is no place on Earth that feels quite as primordial as the Serengeti at dawn.”
WILDLIFEBig Five
PEAK TIMEJun - Oct
AVG TEMP25°C
SIZE14K km²

Wildlife in Serengeti National Park

Lion

Very Common

The Serengeti holds one of Africa's largest lion populations, over 3,000 individuals.

Leopard

Common

Often found in the Seronera Valley, draped over the branches of large sausage trees.

Cheetah

Common

The open plains provide the perfect high-speed hunting grounds for these cats.

Elephant

Very Common

Massive herds move between the riverine forests and the open plains year-round.

Black Rhino

Rare

A small, protected population resides in the remote Moru Kopjes area.

Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park

June - October

The Great Migration

  • · River crossings
  • · Dry weather
  • · High predator action
January - February

Calving Season

  • · Newborn calves
  • · Cheetah hunting action
  • · Green plains
March - May

Emerald Season

  • · Lush landscapes
  • · No crowds
  • · Best photography light

Experiences in Serengeti National Park

Adventure · Luxury

Balloon Safari

Float over the endless plains as the sun rises, followed by a champagne breakfast.

Wildlife · Fast

Cheetah Interaction

Observe the world's fastest land animal in its natural hunting grounds on the short grass plains.

Culture · Community

Cultural Interaction

Visit a local Maasai village and learn about their deep connection with the wild.

Where to Stay in Serengeti National Park

Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti National ParkPremium

Four Seasons Safari Lodge

Serengeti Explorer, Serengeti National ParkSuperior

Serengeti Explorer

Lake Magadi Lodge, Serengeti National ParkStandard

Lake Magadi Lodge

Travel Information

Visa
eVisa available, apply online before arrival
Best Time
Mid-June to October (Migration), or Jan-Feb (Calving)
Transport
4x4 safari vehicles and light aircraft
Getting There
1 hour from Arusha or 2 hours from Zanzibar

Serengeti National Park FAQs

When is the best time for the Great Migration?

The best time for river crossings is between July and October in the north. Calving happens in the south from late January to February.

How do I get to the Serengeti?

Most travellers fly from Arusha directly into one of the several airstrips, or drive via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Is it safe for families?

Yes, many lodges are family-friendly and provide safe environments, though we recommend children be at least 6 years old for full game drives.

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