Wildebeests crossing Mara river, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is Africa’s most famous game park and a Serengeti safari never fails to impress its visitors.

The Serengeti’s fame comes from the dense population of animals and particularly the host of predators that stalk across the vast grassy plains, which are broken only by small river valleys and rock kopjes.

The Serengeti region encompasses the Serengeti National Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Migration, Serengeti, Tanzania
Migration, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Views, Namiri Plains Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Namiri Plains Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Main Lounge, Serengeti Under Canvas, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti Under Canvas, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
View from Lodge, Lamai Serengeti Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Lamai Serengeti Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Bedroom, Lamai Serengeti Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Lamai Serengeti Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Why you should visit the Serengeti

  • The famous Great Migration of wildebeest occupies the Serengeti for most of the year, offering one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth
  • 10 times larger than the Masai Mara, the Serengeti hosts a huge diversity of wildlife
  • It offers true wilderness, researchers still flock to the area to document the habits of animals
  • The opportunity for walking safaris in the Serengeti, a unique opportunity to get under the skin of this amazing area
Lioness in long grass, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Exterior of Tent, Serian Serengeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serian North Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Migration, Serengeti, Tanzania
Migration, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The regions of the Serengeti

The central area of Seronera and Ikoma offer the opportunity for year-round wildlife viewing due to the permanent rivers here. In the months of August to November when the migration is in the Mara, the northern Serengeti is most productive and you can also see the river crossings if you stay at some of the well-positioned camps on the Mara borders, offering the best of both worlds. Rhinos inhabit the hilltops in these areas too.

The Masai community concessions in the north offer an opportunity to witness how deftly conservation and local communities can work together. In the east, you will find the rocky outcrops of Lobo and the wilderness areas where walking safaris allow one to avoid the disturbance of a vehicle. And beyond there are the endless plains of pitaya.

 

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Game Drives, Mwiba Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Mwiba Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Cheetah, Serengeti, Tanzania
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

When to travel to the Serengeti

The trick to a fabulous Serengeti safari is to know its seasons. The quietest time to go is in the months of December to April when the thousands of animals making up the wildebeest and zebra migration fill the short grass plains near Lake Ndutu. They amass here to calve and to feed on the tender grass which springs up after the rains in November.

Between July and September, the Serengeti is at its busiest with the migration found in the north of the park. It is during this period that the iconic crossings occur, with hundreds of thousands of animals surging across narrow stretches of river.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Exterior of Tent, Serian Serengeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Safari with Alex Walker

Join renowned guide Alex Walker on a walking safari, staying at simple tented camps. Immerse yourself in the environment, with complete flexibility and at the whim of Alex’s instincts and the animals.

Suggested camp

Three cheetahs in the savannah, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Namiri Plains

Explore the remote Namiri Plains, in the western Serengeti. Access this area is exclusive to those staying here and it is renowned for the density of big cats, especially lions and cheetahs.

Suggested camp

Game Drives, Mwiba Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Private Reserves

Stay at one of the private reserves that adjoin the eastern Serengeti. These privately funded conservation areas are rich with wildlife, offer some of the best guiding and allow off-road driving.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Migration, Serengeti, Tanzania

The Great Migration

Watch as wildebeests and zebras flood the plains of the Serengeti. Witness one of the greatest animal migrations on the planet,

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lioness playing with cubs, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti Safari

Take a safari out on the majestic plains of the Serengeti, dotted with granite kopjes and home to breath-taking wildlife.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Wildebeest Migration, Serengeti, Tanzania

River Crossing

Wait beside the Mara River in the northern Serengeti, as the herds of zebras and wildebeests mass. Watch as they finally surge forward, crossing the river in a mad – often fatal – dash, dodging crocodiles and fighting the current.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Sayari Camp £££££

  • Tanzania
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Sayari Tented Camp is located on the Mara River in the northern part of the Serengeti, where the Great Migration typically resides from mid-July/August until November. Even outside migration season, however, it is home to an abundance of wildlife. Sayari Camp is one of the few permanent camps on the Tanzanian side of the Mara River area and provides accommodation in spacious, well-equipped safari tents. Each tent has its own private veranda with a reclining couch and chairs, positioned to overlook the vast Serengeti. Inside are king-size beds and spacious bathrooms with showers, double sinks and ceramic flush toilets. The food here is very good and can be taken in the cosy dining area or in a private setting under the millions of stars in the Serengeti sky.

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Singita Faru Faru £££££

  • Tanzania
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Singita Faru Faru is one of the finest camps in Africa. With only eight rooms it is one of the smallest camps in the country and not being restricted to park rules allows for night safaris, horse riding and walking. This camp gets booked well in advance especially during migration months but travel outside these months also offers very good game viewing. For the ultimate safari, combine three nights at Singita Faru Faru with three nights at nearby Singita Sabora.

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Olakira Camp £££££

  • Tanzania
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Olakira Camp is a mobile, tented camp that moves through the Serengeti, following the Great Migration. It rotates between the north and the south of the park, as the vast herds of wildebeests move in search of fresh grazing.

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Klein’s Camp £££££

  • Tanzania
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Perched on the edge of the Kuka Hills, Klein’s Camp features intimate safari accommodation – just ten cottages of local stone and makuti, with rich wooden floors and classic interiors. Each cottage has an en suite bathroom and private veranda with breath-taking views over the surrounding valley. A diversity of resident wildlife, including huge elephant herds, can be viewed from everywhere in camp – even the kitchen boasts unforgettable views. The camp has a large, beautifully furnished bar and sitting area, a sparkling swimming pool, and a Safari Shop featuring locally-made Maasai crafts.

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Mwiba Lodge £££££

  • Tanzania
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Mwiba, a secluded, sophisticated haven set among massive stone boulders, ancient coral trees and acacias, overlooking a rocky gorge on the Arugusinyai River an idyllic natural backdrop, Mwiba offers an unmatched experience in luxury adventure. This exclusive destination mixes both traditional and modern design elements, creating an inviting, sophisticated hideaway.

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Serian North Camp £££££

  • Tanzania
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Alex Walker’s Serian North Camp changes location twice in the year, moving with the herds across Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From December to March the camp is located in the south and from July in the north of the Serengeti in the Kogatende region where it stays until mid-November. The camp has six tents, all classic in style with particular attention paid to detail to ensure your needs are well looked after. Dinners are mainly taken under the stars and fireside chats with a nightcap are the perfect end to the day.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

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  • 1 800 571 2985

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

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