enquire now

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is one of the most celebrated wildlife reserves in the world.

Size: 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles).
Location: 335km (208 miles) from Serengeti, stretching north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west.

This phenomenal National Park, created to preserve the path of the world’s largest migration circuit, covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres.

The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai name meaning ‘endless plains’, and these rolling distances of short grass plains provide an exceptional landscape for wildlife viewing; it is ultimate safari country.

Serengeti: The Wildlife
This land is justifiably famous for its huge concentrations of wildlife, especially the big cats, as well as being the stomping ground of the Great Migration, a massive accumulation of 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and 350,000 gazelles stretching their legs over 1,200 miles in an annual race to find enough water and green grass for their survival.

Serengeti: Region Explained
The National Park is broadly divided into three distinct areas, the Seronera Valley and Seronera River, the Western Corridor and the Northern Lobo area that extends northwards through the Lamai Wedge to the Maasai Mara.

Central Serengeti: Seronera Valley
Most visitors enter the Serengeti through the southern Naabi Hill Gate, which opens onto the Seronera Valley; a vibrant wildlife area at the heart of the Serengeti.

This is the region in which the migration commonly calve in march each year. The Seronera region is mainly wide open grassy plains and rock kopjes, patched together within a network of rivers that ensure year-round water supplies and keep this region incredibly rich in wildlife throughout the year. All other areas of the Serengeti are more seasonal and much of the time wildlife viewing is dependent on the path of the migration.

Serengeti: The northern reaches
The Northern reaches of the Serengeti remain fantastically quiet and unvisited, due to their relative inaccessibility. Previously inaccessible swathes of National Park at Wogakuria, close to the Masai Mara border, have been opened up with flying safari options to superb permanent tented camps such as Sayari. (see details below). This region has been described as ‘ultimate paradise’ for keen safari buffs.

Serengeti: The western corridor
This follows the path of the Grumeti River up towards Lake Victoria. This region provides superb wildlife viewing action when the migration crosses the crocodile infested waters of the Grumeti; at this point camps such as the CCA Grumeti River or Kirawira come into their own. It is also possible to arrange mobile camping in this region in order to optimise your location.

Serengeti: The wildlife
This land is justifiably famous for its huge concentrations of wildlife, especially the big cats, as well as being the stomping ground of the Great Migration, a massive accumulation of 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and 350,000 gazelles stretching their legs over 1,200 miles in an annual race to find enough water and green grass for their survival.

Serengeti lodges
There is a great range of choice for Serengeti safari accommodation, which can be combined to create individual, tailored itineraries. We have included all the lodges below ordered by our ranking, and by price. Clicking on any of the links will bring up more information; our detailed view of the lodge, video, photos, key facts etc.

However, we know these lodges well and it is worth telephoning us to discuss, or send us an email to help you to decide where to go. This is especially true of the Serengeti, where it is key to choose your lodge according to where the Great Migration is expected to be when you wish to travel.

Best time to visit

  • Best time to go: June to October (Animals congregate around the Rivers)
  • High Season: June to October (The park is full of tourists)
  • Low Season: April and May
  • Best Weather: June to October (Rainfall is little to none)
  • Worst Weather: March and April (Peak of wet season)

Activities

  • Walking Safari
  • Game Drivers
  • Balloon Safari
  • Bird watching