tanzania

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit: June–October (dry season, river crossings July–September); January–February for calving on the southern plains
Country: tanzania

Highlights

Stage of the Great Wildebeest Migration, over 1.5 million animals
Year-round big cat sightings: lion, leopard, cheetah
Endless short-grass plains and classic acacia savanna
Balloon safaris at sunrise over the plains
Connects easily with Ngorongoro and Tarangire on a northern circuit

Wildlife

Lion (highest density in Africa)Leopard and cheetahAfrican elephant and buffaloWildebeest and zebra (migration)Giraffe, topi, eland, gazelleSpotted hyena and black-backed jackal

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous national park and one of the greatest wildlife destinations on earth. Its name comes from the Maasai word siringet, meaning “endless plains,” and that is exactly what you find: golden grasslands stretching to the horizon, dotted with acacia trees and grazing herds.

The Great Migration

The Serengeti is the heart of the Great Wildebeest Migration, a year-round cycle in which more than 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra move across the ecosystem in search of fresh grazing. The dramatic Grumeti and Mara river crossings, where crocodiles wait in the water, typically happen between July and September.

Wildlife and activities

Beyond the migration, the Serengeti holds the highest lion density in Africa, along with leopard, cheetah, elephant, and buffalo. Game drives are the main activity, and hot-air balloon safaris at dawn offer an unforgettable view of the plains.

Getting there

The Serengeti is reached by road or by light aircraft from Arusha, and pairs naturally with the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire on a northern-circuit safari.