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Your Complete Serengeti Safari Planner
What is Serengeti National Park?
Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest and most iconic wildlife sanctuary, spanning 14,763 km² across northern Tanzania. Established in 1951 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the name derives from the Maasai word "Siringet", meaning "the place where the land runs on forever." The park's five regions — Seronera Valley (year-round game, leopards), Western Corridor (Grumeti River crossings), Northern Serengeti (Mara River crossings), Southern Plains (calving season), and Lobo (quiet, kopjes) — each offer unique landscapes and exceptional wildlife experiences. The park forms the core of the 30,000 km² Serengeti-Mara ecosystem shared with Kenya's Masai Mara.
Why Serengeti is Famous
Serengeti is world-famous for the Great Migration — 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and thousands of gazelles completing a 1,000 km circular journey with dramatic river crossings at the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. The park boasts exceptional predator density with 3,000+ lions, abundant cheetahs on the southern plains, and Africa's best leopard-viewing in Seronera Valley. Beyond the Big Five, it offers world-class photography, luxury lodges, hot air balloon safaris, and bush dining. It's one of the few places where you can witness a lion hunt in broad daylight or see a cheetah sprint at full speed across the plains.
Location and How to Get to Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania, approximately 325 km northwest of Arusha. Accessible by road (4-5 hours from Arusha via the Ngorongoro highlands, with a stop at the Crater viewpoint) or by daily scheduled flights from Arusha, Kilimanjaro International, and Zanzibar to airstrips including Seronera (central), Kogatende (north), Grumeti (west), and Ndutu (south). Flight time is ~1 hour. The park has 6 entry gates: Naabi Hill (south), Klein's (northeast), Ikoma (west), Tabora B (west), Handajega (southwest), and Ndabaka (southwest).
Serengeti Wildlife Guide
Serengeti National Park supports over 70 large mammal species and 500+ bird species. Key wildlife includes:
- Lion (3,000+)
- Leopard
- African Elephant
- Black Rhino
- Cape Buffalo
- Cheetah
- Spotted Hyena
- Wildebeest (1.5M)
- Plains Zebra
- Masai Giraffe
- Hippopotamus
- Nile Crocodile
- Thomson's Gazelle
- Grant's Gazelle
- Topi
- Eland
- Impala
- Warthog
- Baboon
- Ostrich
- Secretary Bird
- Martial Eagle
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- Kori Bustard
Best spots: Lions in Seronera, leopards in fig trees along Seronera River, cheetahs on southern plains, rhinos at Moru Kopjes, hippos at Retima Hippo Pool.
Serengeti Gallery
The Great Migration
The Great Migration is the world's most spectacular wildlife event — 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and thousands of gazelles complete a 1,000 km circular journey across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem each year. Jan-Mar: calving on southern plains (Ndutu) with 8,000 calves born daily. Apr-May: herds move through central Serengeti toward the Western Corridor. Jun-Jul: Grumeti River crossings in the west. Aug-Oct: dramatic Mara River crossings in northern Serengeti — peak season. Nov-Dec: herds return south as short rains begin. The migration follows the rains — it's a constant search for fresh grass and water.
Migration Calendar at a Glance
Jan-Mar: Calving on southern plains. 8,000 calves/day. Peak predator action.
Apr-May: Long rains, herds move west. Lush landscapes, few tourists.
Jun-Jul: Grumeti River crossings. First major river obstacle.
Aug-Oct: Mara River crossings, northern Serengeti. Peak season.
Nov-Dec: Short rains, herds return south. Scattered herds, excellent birding.
Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park
| Month | Season | Wildlife Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Green / Calving | 8,000 calves/day on southern plains. Peak predator action. | ★★★★★ |
| Feb | Green / Calving | Continued calving. Cheetah sightings at their peak. Lush landscapes. | ★★★★★ |
| Mar | End of calving | Herds begin moving north. Good predator sightings. Fewer visitors. | ★★★★☆ |
| Apr | Long Rains | Herds in central Serengeti. Lush landscapes. Fewest tourists, lowest rates. | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | Long Rains | Herds reach Western Corridor. Excellent birding. Budget-friendly. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jun | Dry | Grumeti River crossings begin. Vegetation thins, visibility improves. | ★★★★☆ |
| Jul | Dry / Peak | Mara River crossings begin in the north. Outstanding game viewing. | ★★★★★ |
| Aug | Dry / Peak | Dramatic Mara River crossings. Peak tourist season. Book ahead. | ★★★★★ |
| Sep | Dry / Peak | Continued Mara crossings. Excellent game viewing across all regions. | ★★★★★ |
| Oct | End of dry | Last month of peak. Herds begin southward. Hot, dry conditions. | ★★★★☆ |
| Nov | Short Rains | Herds return south. Green landscapes return. Good value shoulder season. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Dec | Short Rains | Scattered herds. Calving begins on southern plains. Festive season. | ★★★★☆ |
★ = Rating based on wildlife viewing quality, crowds, and value. Peak dry season (Jun-Oct) and calving season (Jan-Feb) score highest.
Safari Activities in Serengeti National Park
Classic game drives in custom 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs depart at dawn (6:00 AM) and late afternoon (3:30 PM) for optimal wildlife viewing. Hot air balloon safaris ($599/person) offer a breathtaking aerial perspective followed by a champagne bush breakfast. Walking safaris with armed rangers, night drives on private concessions (Grumeti, Singita), photographic safaris with specialised vehicles, and cultural visits to Maasai bomas provide diverse ways to experience the Serengeti. Full-day game drives with picnic lunches are available for river crossing season.
Accommodation in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti offers a wide range of accommodation. Luxury: Four Seasons Safari Lodge ($1,200-3,000/night), Singita Grumeti ($2,000-5,000/night), Sayari Camp ($1,200-2,400/night), Namiri Plains ($900-1,800/night). Mid-Range: Serengeti Serena Lodge ($350-600/night), Kati Kati Tented Camp ($350-550/night), Mbalageti Safari Lodge ($300-500/night). Budget: Public campsites ($50-100/night, basic facilities), Ikoma Bush Camp ($150-250/night), mobile camping safaris from $150-300/night including all meals, guide, and park fees. Book 6-12 months ahead for peak season (Jul-Oct).
Serengeti Safari Cost & Fees
| Category | Price Per Person/Day | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $300 – $500 | Camping, shared vehicle, meals, park fees |
| Mid-Range | $500 – $800 | Lodge/tented camp, private 4x4, meals, guide |
| Luxury | $800 – $1,500 | Premium lodge, private vehicle, gourmet meals |
| Ultra-Luxury | $1,500 – $5,000+ | Exclusive camps, butler service, spa, private chef |
Park Entry Fee: $70/person/day (non-resident adult), $25 (child 5-15), free (under 5). East African residents pay TZS 30,000/adult/day. Camping: $50/night public, $60-80 special sites. Vehicle: $40/day. Balloon safari ~$599 extra. Prices are per person sharing; single supplements apply.
Frequently Asked Questions about Serengeti National Park
Nearby Attractions
Serengeti National Park is the centrepiece of Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit. Combine your visit with these incredible destinations:
- Ngorongoro Crater (3-4 hours from Serengeti) — UNESCO World Heritage Site, Africa's Garden of Eden with the densest predator population. Best for black rhino and the Big Five.
- Lake Manyara National Park (4-5 hours) — Famous for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and groundwater forests along the Rift Valley escarpment.
- Tarangire National Park (5-6 hours) — Giant elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and over 550 bird species in an intimate uncrowded setting.
- Olduvai Gorge (within the ecosystem) — The "Cradle of Humankind" archaeological site where the Leakey family discovered early human fossils.
Most visitors combine Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire for a 5-7 day Northern Circuit safari. See our Destination Hub for more details.
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View TourHow to Book Your Serengeti Safari
Booking your Serengeti safari with African Majestic Adventure is simple. Here's how it works:
- Step 1: Browse our safari packages and choose your preferred itinerary or contact us for a custom plan.
- Step 2: Get a detailed quote including park fees, accommodation, transport, meals, and guide services — no hidden costs.
- Step 3: Confirm your booking with a 30% deposit. We handle all park reservations, lodging, and permits.
- Step 4: Receive your pre-travel briefing, packing list, and safari guide assignment 2 weeks before departure.
- Step 5: Arrive in Tanzania — we meet you at the airport and begin your Serengeti adventure.
All our safaris include airport transfers, park entry fees, game drives, accommodation, meals, and an English-speaking guide. International flights and visas are not included. Custom itineraries are welcome — contact us for a personalized quote.