Serengeti National Park

Size: 14,763 km²
Known for: Great Migration, Big Five
From Arusha: ≈ 8 hrs drive · 1 hr flight
Best for: Migration, predators, balloon safaris
Habitats: Grass plains, kopjes, riverine woodland
Name means: “Endless plains” (Maa: Siringet)

About Serengeti

The Serengeti takes its name from the Maasai word siringet, meaning the place where the land runs on forever. Standing on a kopje with nothing but grass to the horizon, it is easy to see why.

This is the stage for the Great Migration: more than 1.5 million wildebeest, together with zebra and gazelle, moving in a year-long loop in search of fresh grazing. Lions, cheetahs, leopards and Nile crocodiles follow every step, which makes the Serengeti one of the most reliable places in Africa to watch predators in action.

The migration, month by month

December – March: calving season on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Thousands of calves are born each day, and predators gather close.
April – June: the herds drift north and west through the central Serengeti towards the Grumeti River and its crocodiles.
July – September: the dramatic Mara River crossings in the far north, the most intense stage of the cycle.
October – November: the herds turn south again as the short rains begin, closing the loop.

Things to do

Game drives

Full and half-day drives in a pop-top Land Cruiser, following the herds or searching the kopjes for lion prides.

Hot-air balloon safari

Lift off at dawn, drift silently over the plains, then land for a bush breakfast on the savannah.

Migration viewing

Position yourself at the right river or plain for calving or crossings, guided by up-to-date herd reports.

Photography safaris

Long, patient sightings with a guide who understands light, angles and animal behaviour.

Gallery

Getting there

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha. From there, either take a scheduled light-aircraft flight to one of the Serengeti's airstrips (about an hour), or drive through the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro) and arrive by road, spotting wildlife the whole way.

When to go

Every month has something special. Choose December–March for calving, July–September for river crossings, or April–June and October–November for quieter parks and lower rates.

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