Serengeti National Park

Northern Tanzania

Destination

Overview

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most iconic safari destination and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves. Famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti offers vast open plains, abundant predators, and year-round wildlife viewing. It is the heart of Tanzania safari tourism and a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

best safari in Tanzania

  • Location: Northern Tanzania
  • Size: 14,763 km² (5,700 mi²)
  • Founded: 1951
  • Famous for: Great Wildebeest Migration, Big Five, open savannahs
  • Entry Gateways: Naabi Hill, Ndabaka, Klein’s, and Fort Ikoma gates
  • Airstrips: Seronera, Kogatende, Lobo, Grumeti (ideal for fly-in safaris)

Wildlife in Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of the most wildlife-rich ecosystems in Africa and a top destination for Big Five safaris in Tanzania. The park supports an extraordinary variety of mammals, predators, and birdlife, making it ideal for year-round game viewing and photographic safaris.

The Serengeti is home to large populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas, offering some of the best predator sightings in East Africa. Lions are frequently seen resting on rocky outcrops or hunting across the open plains, while cheetahs thrive in the vast grasslands where they use speed to chase prey. Leopards are often spotted along riverine areas and wooded regions.

Large herbivores are equally abundant, including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, eland, topi, and gazelles. These animals form the backbone of the Serengeti ecosystem and attract predators throughout the year. The park is also a key habitat for the Great Wildebeest Migration, where over two million wildebeest and zebras move across the plains in search of fresh grazing.

Serengeti National Park is part of the Big Five safari circuit, offering excellent opportunities to see lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros, particularly in protected areas and during guided game drives with experienced safari guides.

Birdlife in the Serengeti is equally impressive, with over 500 recorded bird species, including ostriches, secretary birds, kori bustards, vultures, eagles, and colorful bee-eaters. This makes the park a rewarding destination for both wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Thanks to its vast size, open landscapes, and diverse habitats, the Serengeti offers some of the best game drives in Tanzania, with high chances of predator action, river crossings, and dramatic wildlife encounters throughout the year.

Serengeti National Park

Things to Do in Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park offers a wide range of unforgettable safari activities designed for wildlife lovers, photographers, honeymooners, and luxury travelers. From classic game drives to unique aerial experiences, the Serengeti delivers one of the most complete safari adventures in Tanzania.

Game Drives (Morning & Afternoon)

Game drives are the core safari activity in Serengeti National Park and provide exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the day. Morning game drives are ideal for spotting active predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, while afternoon and sunset game drives offer beautiful light for photography and chances to see elephants, giraffes, and large herbivore herds returning to water sources. All game drives are led by professional safari guides with in-depth knowledge of animal behavior and tracking.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

A hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers breathtaking aerial views of the endless plains, rivers, and migrating wildlife. Floating silently above the savannah at sunrise, guests may witness herds of wildebeest and zebras, predators on the move, and dramatic landscapes from above. The experience typically ends with a champagne bush breakfast in the heart of the wilderness.

Photographic Safaris

Serengeti National Park is one of the best destinations in Africa for photographic safaris. The vast open plains, abundant wildlife, and golden light create perfect conditions for both amateur and professional photographers. Specialized photographic safaris offer flexible schedules, expert guides, and customized vehicles to capture iconic wildlife moments such as predator hunts, river crossings, and dramatic sunsets.

Luxury Lodge and Tented Camp Stays

Accommodation in Serengeti National Park ranges from luxury safari lodges to high-end tented camps, offering comfort without compromising the wilderness experience. Guests enjoy spacious en-suite tents or rooms, fine dining, panoramic views, and personalized service. Many camps are strategically located near key wildlife areas, allowing excellent game viewing directly from the lodge or camp.

Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is a year-round safari destination:

  • June–October: Best for wildlife & migration
  • November–March: Calving season & birdlife
  • April–May: Green season with fewer crowds

For information about Best Things To Do in Serengeti National Park Visit https://www.tanzaniatourism.go.tz/

Other Destinations

The Great Wildebeest Migration

One of the most dramatic natural spectacles in the world, the Great Wildebeest Migration involves over 1.5 million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 gazelles making a year-round circular journey through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara.

The journey includes:

Calving Season (Jan–Mar) in the Southern Serengeti, where thousands of babies are born daily.

Grumeti River Crossings (May–June) in the Western Corridor, where crocodile-infested waters present a deadly challenge.

Mara River Crossings (July–October) in the Northern Serengeti, where the most dramatic and dangerous part of the journey takes place.

Tanzania Safari Packages

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