Although the Serengeti is home to the Big 5, it's best known for being host to the Great Wildebeest Migration. This grand annual spectacle is when millions of wildebeest, followed by gazelle and zebra, seek greener pastures and dodging predators along the way.
The Serengeti is a year-round safari destination. However, the peak, wet season runs from March to April.
June to October: June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest in the western corridor, and August to September in the northern parts of the Serengeti. During this time, the weather is generally sunny with not much rain. Please note that this is also one of the busier times to visit, so there will be more safari vehicles on the road, accommodation is limited, and prices can be a bit higher.
November to May: January to February is the best time to see newborns. This, in turn, lures the predators. It's very green during this time, with incredible bird watching opportunities. April to May is the low season, so there will be fewer crowds, and – bonus – prices might be lower.
A Serengeti safari will depend on various factors, including but not limited to where you stay, when you're visiting, and what activities you wish to partake in. However, the price per person per day is usually around $500-$2,500.
When flying to the Serengeti National Park, most travellers start their Serengeti safari in the town of Arusha. You will fly into the Kilimanjaro International Airport located nearby. The airport is roughly 320 kilometres from the Serengeti National Park's southern entrance.
From here, you'll likely travel to your lodge in an aircraft flying straight to one of the seven airstrips or in a safari vehicle. Driving will take you around eight hours and is a bit bumpy, but you'll get to see wildlife on the way, making it well worth the while! You can also combine the two by flying in but driving out so that you experience the best of both worlds.
A Serengeti National Park safari is special for many reasons. The Serengeti is a massive park with varied terrain, from wide-open landscapes featuring volcanic grasslands to rocky outcrops, forests, and rivers. This makes it a wildlife paradise! Furthermore, the vast savannah landscapes make it easy to spot the animals.
The Serengeti is best known for being host to part of the Great Migration. Every year, millions of wildebeest traverse the plains, with zebra, gazelle and others following them on their journey. Predators take advantage of this spectacular gathering to plan attacks, from lions stalking them to crocodiles attacking during their river crossings. This means that there's much drama during this time!
There are plenty of animals to see, from the famous Big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo and elephant) to an incredibly varied birdlife, so there's always something for you to admire around every corner. And with so many animals sharing the Serengeti as their home, the drama that unfolds when they clash is exhilarating!
There are also plenty of viewpoints to admire the Serengeti, from traditional open-vehicle game drives to hot air balloon safaris for a bird's-eye view. You've more than likely seen that classic African safari picture of a red sunset with a lone flat-topped acacia tree in the foreground. Well, that's the Serengeti!
You can explore our Serengeti National Park safari tours to get an idea of what to expect, but remember that everything we do is tailor-made just for you.
The Serengeti is made up of four key areas, namely the south, central, north, and western Grumeti.
The famous Great Migration moves in a clockwise direction from the north via the central part, to the west, and then back to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Therefore, the time of your trip will greatly depend on where you should go for your Great Migration safari.
While the wildebeests are in the south, it's calving season, and many newborn animals are around. Those make easy prey, so predators are on the prowl! When they move through central Serengeti, the big cat sightings are incredible!
As the animals move through the west, they cross the Grumeti River, trying to escape crocodile jaws. Have your camera ready for exciting Great Migration safari sightings! And then, in the north, they have to tackle another obstacle, the Mara River, where more hungry crocodiles and hippos await.
If you book with our Travel Experts, we can ensure that you're in the right place at the right time to have the best experience of the Great Migration.
East African safaris are different from your safari experiences in, for example, the Kruger National Park. Whereas you'll usually head out in the morning and afternoon for two safari drives in Kruger, you'll typically enjoy a full day in the savannah in East Africa. Your typical day in the Serengeti will also depend on what package we have booked for you, where you stay, and the time of your stay.
However, your safari in the Serengeti usually kicks off with an early morning breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive. Thanks to the fairly consistent climate, you'll see many different species throughout the day.
You will usually have a picnic-style lunch somewhere in the bush before heading home late afternoon. After freshening up, you'll have dinner and perhaps drinks around the fire while reflecting on your day's adventures.
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