Serengeti National Park

Northern Tanzania's premier safari destination, Serengeti National Park, is recognised as the epicentre of the world's most extraordinary mammal migration. Beyond this renowned event, the park's remarkable animal abundance ensures exceptional wildlife encounters year-round. While the southern plains near Seronera remain a favoured hotspot, exploring the Western Corridor and Mara River regions offers equally rewarding experiences.

1. Seronara & Central Serengeti

At the heart of Serengeti National Park lies the Seronera area, renowned for its captivating balloon safaris. During the December to April rainy season, this southeastern expanse of Seronera transforms into a wildlife haven, attracting vast herds of wildebeest. This period marks the peak of wildlife activity, particularly for sightings of leopards, cheetahs, and lions, earning Seronera its reputation as the "predator capital of the world." The most bustling period for both wildlife and visitors occurs from March to May, coinciding with the presence of wildebeest herds. Seronera offers diverse habitats and year-round water sources, enhancing the overall experience. The area's allure prompts a significant gathering of safari vehicles, drawn by the high probability of encountering big cats. Safari excursions often focus on the Seronera River, renowned for its dense leopard population and ideal lion observation spots amidst sausage trees and umbrella thorns. Kopjes near Seronera, especially in the Moru Koppies region, frequently host lion sightings. The expansive Serengeti Plains south of the Seronera River provide excellent cheetah viewing opportunities. Northeast of Moru Koppies lies Lake Magadi, a saline haven fed by the Mbalageti River, home to countless aquatic birds, including flamingos during optimal water levels. For an up-close encounter with hippos, visitors can head to the Retima Hippo Pool, located at the confluence of the Seronera and Grumeti rivers.

2. South East Plains & NDUTU

These vast short-grass plains extend from the western side of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast of the Serengeti National Park. The region is home to a wide range of familiar animals that include lions, elands, zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, and skittish bat-eared foxes. The southeast part of the Serengeti is filled with wildlife throughout the year, but the peak season for wildlife density is between December and April. During this period, the best spot to observe wildlife is around Lake Ndutu, which is located at the heart of the wildebeest gathering. One should, however, keep in mind that it may rain heavily between December and March. The area boasts two lakes that are home to various species of wildlife: the perennial Masek Lake situated in the Ngorongoro Crater Area and the seasonal Ndutu Lake. The southeastern plains feature several clusters of koppies (or kopjes), which form a microhabitat inhabited by non-plain wildlife that includes rock hyrax, klipspringer, lions, leopards, and various cliff-nesting raptors. Simba Koppies, located on the main road between Seronera and the Ngorongoro Crater Area, is an excellent site for observing lions, as the name suggests. The grasslands around the more easterly Gol Koppies are ideal for spotting both cheetahs and lions.

3. Western Corridor

The Western Corridor is characterized by two prominent rivers, namely, the Grumeti River and the Mbalageti River. These rivers support significant parts of the riverine forest before ultimately draining into Lake Victoria. The peak season in terms of visitors is from May to July, which coincides with the Great Migration's journey through the Western Corridor towards the north. Wildlife sightings in the Western Corridor are impressive all year round. The southern area of the Grumeti River's broken savannah is home to a large number of giraffes, wildebeests, elephants, zebras, lions, and other typical plains animals. On the other hand, the open grasslands situated to the north of the river are relatively unexplored but offer ideal habitats for spotting cheetahs. If you're planning to visit during the Great Migration season, from June to October, you could try Serengeti Balloon services for an unmatched experience.

4. Grumeti Game Reserve

Grumeti Game Reserve is a significant part of the larger Serengeti Ecosystem, located in a remote and stunning corner of Serengeti National Park. It is best known for its large lion prides and offers a rare opportunity for a walking safari, where visitors can spend hours on foot with their guide, observing birds and insects, tracking animals, and learning about indigenous plants' cultural and medicinal uses. In addition to vehicle safaris during the day and at night, off-road driving ensures the most exceptional sightings. Game viewing is excellent throughout the year, with resident populations of giraffe, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, and lion in the broken savannah south of the Grumeti River. The little-explored expanses of open grassland north of the river are ideal for cheetah sightings, while the riverine forest is home to several troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, and birds. The crossing of the Grumeti River, usually in late June or early July, is one of the most spectacular sequences in the annual Great Migration and a prime feeding opportunity for the population of enormous crocodiles, though it is not as well-known as the crossing of the Mara River.

5. Serengeti Mara Area

Serengeti Mara is a beautiful piece of land that slopes down between the Mara River and the border of Kenya. This area is an extension of the Masai Mara National Reserve and is home to a wide variety of animals, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, buffalos, and wildebeest which can be seen throughout the year. The arrival of the annual Great Migration, which takes place from July to October, is a breathtaking sight and a great opportunity to witness the wildlife along the Mara River. The Serengeti Mara is the best location in the national park to see river crossings of the wildebeest during the dry season. During the Great Migration, massive herds of wildebeest and their entourage gather on one side of the Mara River. In the 1970s, the Serengeti – Masai Mara border was closed to non-residents, leading to a decline in visitor numbers. This was mainly due to the area being less accessible and outside of key tourist routes. However, the area has been rediscovered in the 2000s, and it now offers prime Great Migration viewing. Additionally, Serengeti Mara is a peaceful but stunning backwater during the other months, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.

6. Northern Serengeti & Lobo

Serengeti North plays a crucial role as a pathway for the Great Migration, linking the southern green season short-grass plains to the dry season areas up north. When compared to the southern Serengeti plains, the northern Serengeti is serene, breathtaking, and less crowded. The area stretches from the Lobo Hills, extending southwards to Seronera, and is characterised by verdant, undulating hills, providing a refreshing change from the relatively flat southern plains. The dense vegetation in the area makes wildlife viewing more challenging and less impressive than in the Seronera southern plains. Nevertheless, because the northern Serengeti is not as congested with tourists as the southern plains, it might be worthwhile to overlook this minor inconvenience, allowing you to go on a game drive without encountering any other vehicles. The recommended time to visit Northern Serengeti and Lobo is September and October. During this time the Great Wildebeest Migration pass through the area on their southward journey from the Serengeti Mara area and the Masai Mara to the southeastern Serengeti Plains.

When to Visit Serengeti:- While planning to visit Serengeti National Park, the ideal time to do so is between January and February or from June to September. During winter, you can see the wildebeest running in the Southern Serengeti. However, the park's western corridor and the Northern Serengeti are the perfect spots to spend your summer and autumn vacations.

Weather and Climate in Serengeti:- The climate of Serengeti National Park is characterized by three distinct seasons. The park experiences a cool and dry season from May to August, followed by a dry and warmer season in September and October. From November to April, the park experiences a wetter and hotter season. Despite the fluctuating weather conditions, the climate in Serengeti is generally pleasant and moderate. It rarely gets uncomfortably hot, and temperatures tend to drop during the night and early mornings. Temperature fluctuations are dependent on the season, with the warmest period being the rainy season. In the Seronera region, the temperature seldom exceeds 37°C on a hot afternoon during the rainy season. Conversely, during the dry season, the temperature rarely drops below 13°C on a cold early morning.

Short Rain Period - November to December
Long Rain Period - March to May

Wildlife in Serengeti

The main reason to visit Serengeti National Park is to witness the enchanting species of wildlife in a vast unspoiled natural environment. There is so much to discover during the safari at Serengeti National Park.

The Big Five of Serengeti - Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, African Elephant and Rhinoceros Other Fauna Species - Hippopotamus, Crocodiles, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, Kongoni, Topi, Grant’s gazelle and Impala.

Bird Species - Special bird species include grey-throated spurfowl, Schalow's wheatear, red-throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike, Schalow's turaco, secretary bird, African fish eagle, Fischer's lovebird or countless vulture species. Other species include ostrich, and other giants such as the southern ground hornbill, kori bustard, and secretary bird, lilac-breasted roller, Jackson's golden-backed weaver and black eagle.

The Wildebeest Migration - The great herds of wildebeests migrate across the western region of Serengeti National Park and traverse the Grumeti River during July and August. They also move throughout the Lobo area in search of fresh green grass. The wildebeest migration period spans from January to early March, which is also their calving season. Wildebeests can be observed in the western part of the Serengeti National Park during April and May. From August to September, they cross the Mara River to reach Masai Mara National Reserve, where many fall prey to the crocodiles inhabiting the river. The weather heavily influences the wildebeest migration and they follow different routes for better grazing lands.

Things to Do in Serengeti

• Game Drives or Safari
• Birdwatching
• Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Cultural Experiences