NORTHERN CIRCUIT
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
what you need to know about Serengeti National Park
Overview
The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most iconic safari destination and one of the world’s greatest wildlife reserves. Spanning 14,750 sq km (5,700 sq miles), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its endless golden plains, acacia woodlands, and abundant wildlife. The park is best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move in search of fresh grazing, creating one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles.
The Serengeti is also home to Africa’s highest concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, making it a top destination for thrilling wildlife encounters year-round.
Wildlife & The Great Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration: The largest overland migration on Earth, where massive herds cross the Serengeti and Mara rivers in search of fresh pastures.
Big Five: Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and black rhinos.
Predators: Over 3,000 lions, one of Africa’s largest populations of leopards, and high numbers of cheetahs.
Other Wildlife: Giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, wildebeest, zebras, and 500+ bird species including ostriches and vultures.
Best Time to Visit
The Serengeti offers year-round game viewing, but the experience changes with the migration cycle:
December – March (Southern Serengeti & Ndutu): Calving season. Thousands of wildebeest give birth, attracting predators.
April – May (Central Serengeti): Herds move north through Moru Kopjes; fewer tourists, lush scenery.
June – July (Western Corridor): Dramatic Grumeti River crossings with crocodiles waiting below.
August – October (Northern Serengeti): Famous Mara River crossings into Kenya’s Masai Mara.
November: Short rains, herds begin migrating south again.
Safari Activities in Serengeti
Game Drives: Morning and afternoon drives to spot predators and large herds.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Float above the plains at sunrise for breathtaking views (with champagne breakfast on landing).
Walking Safaris: Guided bush walks in designated areas with armed rangers.
Cultural Visits: Interact with the Maasai people in villages around the park.
Birdwatching: Especially rewarding during the green season (Nov–April).
The Great Migration – Serengeti’s Wildlife Spectacle
Overview
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the world’s largest overland animal movement and one of nature’s most dramatic events. Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, travel in a circular journey across the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Masai Mara (Kenya), driven by the search for fresh grazing and water.
Covering a distance of nearly 1,000 km, this migration is not just about movement it’s a cycle of life, birth, and survival. Along the way, predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, and massive Nile crocodiles follow closely, making it one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences on Earth.
Why the Migration is Special
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involving over 2 million animals.
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lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and crocodiles in constant pursuit.
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no two migrations are the same; timing and locations shift slightly each year.
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at any given month, there is a migration event happening somewhere in Serengeti.
The Migration Cycle – Month by Month
December – March (Southern Serengeti / Ndutu Plains):
Calving season. Nearly 500,000 calves are born within a few weeks, attracting predators. This is the best time to see dramatic predator-prey interactions.
April – May (Central Serengeti):
Herds move northwards. The park is lush after the rains, with fewer crowds. Good for photography with green landscapes.June – July (Western Corridor / Grumeti River):
The herds face their first major challenge: Grumeti River crossings, where giant crocodiles lie in wait. Spectacular action and fewer visitors compared to the Mara River.August – October (Northern Serengeti / Mara River):
The most famous stage of the migration: Mara River crossings. Wildebeest leap into crocodile-infested waters, while predators lurk on both banks. A once-in-a-lifetime safari moment.November (Returning South):
The short rains begin, and herds travel southward back to the Serengeti, completing the cycle.
Best Ways to Experience the Migration
Mobile Tented Camps: Camps move with the herds, ensuring you are always close to the action.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Witness the herds from above at sunrise.
Game Drives with Expert Guides: Track the movement of the herds daily.
River Crossings: Visit during June–October for the most dramatic sightings.