5 days
Photo: Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSerengeti National Park
The northern safari circuit · UNESCO World Heritage
The Serengeti is Tanzania's most famous park: about 14,750 square kilometres of short grass plains, acacia savannah, rocky kopjes and riverine forest, listed by UNESCO in 1981. It has one of the highest densities of lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas anywhere, and it's home to the Great Migration for most of the year.
Because it's so big, a Serengeti safari is really a choice of area. The central Seronera valley is good all year; the south, the west and the north each have their season with the herds.
What you can see
- Lions: Prides rest on the granite kopjes around Seronera and the Moru area.
- Leopards: Often seen in the sausage and acacia trees along the Seronera River.
- Cheetahs: Hunt on the open southern plains, especially during calving season.
- The Great Migration: Wildebeest, zebras and gazelles in their hundreds of thousands, in a different area each season.
- Birds: More than 500 species, from ostriches and secretary birds to kori bustards.
Where to stay each season
| Area | Best months | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Southern plains, Ndutu | December to March | Calving and predator action |
| Central, Seronera | All year | Big cats and the most varied game viewing |
| Western Corridor | May to July | Grumeti River crossings |
| Northern, Kogatende | July to October | Mara River crossings |
Getting there
- By road: About 7 hours from Arusha to Seronera, via the Ngorongoro highlands and Naabi Hill Gate. Most safaris visit Tarangire or the crater on the way.
- By air: Daily light aircraft from Arusha to Seronera (about 1 hour) and the northern and western airstrips, with soft bags of about 15 to 20 kg.
- The 24 hour rule: Entry is charged for every 24 hours in the park, so plan your exit time.
How long to stay and where to sleep
- 2 nights: One full day in one area.
- 3 to 4 nights: Time for the migration, a balloon flight, or two areas.
- Where to sleep: Public campsites near Seronera for budget safaris, permanent and mobile tented camps that follow the herds, and a few large lodges.
Tip: Book a balloon safari early in the trip: if it's cancelled for wind, you can try again the next morning.
Practical information
| Size | About 14,750 square kilometres |
| UNESCO listing | 1981 |
| Balloon safari | About US$550 to 650 per person |
| Payment | Fees are cashless, usually paid by your operator |
| Combine with | The Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Olduvai Gorge |
Honest downsides
The central Serengeti can be busy around big cat sightings, and the drive from Arusha is long and dusty. Fees are among the highest in Africa once the concession fee is added. Outside the migration areas in a given month, you'll see resident wildlife rather than the great herds.
Where it is
Multi-day tours that visit Serengeti National Park
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Serengeti National Park: questions
How much is the Serengeti entry fee?
About US$82.60 per non resident adult per 24 hours including VAT, or US$70.80 from mid March to mid May, plus about US$70.80 a night for camps inside the park.
How many days do you need in the Serengeti?
At least two nights; three or four in migration season or to see two areas.
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
June to October for dry weather and the river crossings in the north, and January to February for calving in the south.
Is the Serengeti better than the Masai Mara?
It's much bigger and hosts the migration for longer; the Mara is smaller, closer to Nairobi and best from July to October.