Serengeti
Why safari in the Serengeti?
Nothing quite prepares you for the sheer scale of the Serengeti. The Serengeti eco-system covers an area roughly the size of Belgium, at the heart of which is the National Park itself. Open plains stretch as far as the eye can see, punctuated by rocky outcrops, woodlands and riverine forests. An early morning flight in a hot air balloon offers a unique perspective on the park and truly unforgettable views.
The scene is set for what is arguably the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth: the Great Migration. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra follow the rains across the Serengeti’s vast plains. From Ndutu in the south, where they calve at the start of the year, the herds head north, reaching the Masai Mara in Kenya around July. From October onwards they begin the journey back south. Their movements, like the rains, can be unpredictable, but with our years of experience, we'll guide you in the right direction.
Beyond the Great Migration, the Serengeti never ceases to amaze and astound us. It’s home to one of the highest concentrations of large mammals, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), cheetah, giraffe, hippo and hyena. And with over 500 species of birds, it’s a haven for bird enthusiasts too. A safari here is an exceptional experience, with or without the wildebeest.
There’s something for everyone, from luxurious lodges to authentic tented camps, and even unique mobile camps that move with the seasons, putting you in the perfect spot at the perfect time, all while leaving a minimal footprint on the environment.
Tanzania's northern parks - Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti - create a popular safari circuit, with the enticing beaches of Zanzibar only a short flight away.
Wondering what to expect on safari? Read our guide.
Discover the Serengeti
Wildebeest Migration
Balloon safaris
Cheetah in Grass
Kingfisher
Abundant wildlife
Where to stay in the Serengeti
"We had a wonderful safari, found all the accommodation/lodges really good, the guide was brilliant and we saw a lot of good game including the migration."
Mr & Mrs C
We had a wonderful holiday. Accommodation all very good. Although tented in some places, they were definitely glamping. We could watch elephants from our decking and it was obvious at night they come right up to tent! (There were always Masaai security guards keeping watch). We saw the Wildebeest migration which was a big plus and unexpected as early this year. Until the next time...
Mr & Mrs F via Personal Travel Agent
"Great holiday! Our safari guide was really good, knowledgeable, polite and sensible. The Lodge was really good, which offset Janes worries about a tent... but plush tent with ceramic loo! We saw the big 5 and scenery was amazing. Video of hippos still makes us laugh and warthogs really do hop like the cartoon Lion King. "
Mr & Mrs F via Hays Travel
"We had an amazing holiday – more than we could have ever hoped for! We absolutely loved Tanzania. Our guide was fantastic. This was a first-time safari, so were very nervous but now want to go to Africa again!"
Mr & Mrs F via Travel Counsellors
" What an absolutely fantastic holiday that was! Everything about it was amazing, we had the best time. We had no issues at all, it all ran so smoothly. I can’t praise it all enough, both for the safari and then we did a trip swimming with dolphins in Zanzibar. The hot air balloon exceeded all expectations. THANK YOU "
Mr & Mrs H via Free Spirit Holiday
" Just to let you know the holiday was amazing! The safari was organised so well and with room for adjustments that we requested (we slipped in a hot air balloon ride in the Serengeti). Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable and such a lovely person. We managed to see all the big 5 and so much more. Our trip to Mafia Island was absolutely stunning. We love “barefoot luxury” and were blown away by the service, nothing was too much trouble, but really chill too. "
Mr & Mrs W via Keir Woodward Travel
" We had the most wonderful magical experience, the children loved it and the hotel was dreamy! We managed to see everything we went to see. The guide was great and the balloon ride was an exceptional experience. It will be a holiday we will remember for a lifetime, thank you so much for helping organise it! "
The S Family, via Global Independent Travel
"We were delighted with our holiday and the meticulous organisation."
Family N
Travel the Serengeti Your Way
Guided Journeys
The Serengeti is a key part of most small group tours around what is known as the Northern Circuit, which also includes Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. The key is ensuring your tour stays in the right area in the Serengeti to coincide with the Great Migration. For a more private experience, this route can also be done with a private guide, tailoring the route exactly to your requirements.
Flying
The option to fly into the Serengeti is made possible by several companies that operate a daily ‘circuit’ of light aircraft transfers between the parks, making it easy to incorporate the different areas into one time-efficient itinerary. Flights also operate from here directly to Zanzibar, the Masai Mara or to Rwanda, an excellent way to combine two breathtaking experiences in one trip.
Lodge Activities
Activities at each Serengeti lodge are of course focused on the daily game viewing drives. Dependent on the season the lodges will do their best to travel to see the Great Migration when it is nearby, however outside these times the resident game throughout the Serengeti is still impressive. Most lodges also have access to local balloon operators to really enhance your Serengeti experience.
When to travel to the Serengeti for a safari
If you are visiting to see the Great Migration, the huge herds are usually in the Serengeti from October to June.
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Seasonal Events
Serengeti
The Serengeti National Park is in north-eastern Tanzania and borders the Masai Mara in Kenya on its northern side.
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