Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's most celebrated wilderness: endless plains, legendary predators and the Great Migration.
- Size
- 14,763 km²
- Best time
- Year-round
- Known for
- Great Migration & big cats
- Getting there
- 1 hr flight or 7–8 hr drive from Arusha
Discover Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is the safari the world imagines: golden grasslands that stretch to the horizon, granite kopjes where lions rest in the shade, and the Great Migration of more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra moving in an endless loop through the ecosystem. Protected since 1951 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Serengeti National Park covers 14,763 km² of northern Tanzania and remains one of the finest places on Earth to watch wildlife.
One Park, Three Very Different Safaris
Because the park is so large, where you stay shapes your experience. The Central Serengeti around Seronera has excellent resident wildlife all year and some of Africa's best big-cat viewing. The Southern Serengeti and Ndutu host the migration's calving season from December to March. The Northern Serengeti is where the herds cross the Mara River between July and October. We plan each itinerary around the month you travel, so you are in the right place at the right time.
Wildlife Beyond the Migration
Even without the herds, the Serengeti is extraordinary. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and hippos are all found here, alongside more than 500 bird species. Hot-air balloon flights over the plains at sunrise are one of the most memorable ways to see it.
Getting There
Most guests fly from Arusha to one of the park's airstrips in about an hour, or drive in via the Ngorongoro Crater, which turns the journey into part of the safari. Travelling by road typically takes a full day from Arusha with game viewing along the way.
Where It Is
Serengeti National Park on the Map
Why Go
Highlights of Serengeti National Park
- The Great MigrationMore than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra following the rains in a year-round cycle.
- Big-cat countrySome of Africa's highest densities of lions, plus leopards along the rivers and cheetahs on the open plains.
- Mara River crossingsDramatic river crossings in the Northern Serengeti between July and October.
- Calving seasonThousands of wildebeest calves born on the southern short-grass plains between January and March.
- Hot-air balloon safarisA sunrise flight over the plains followed by a champagne bush breakfast.
- Granite kopjesAncient rock outcrops that shelter lions, leopards and klipspringers, and make superb viewpoints.
Where to Stay
Lodges & Camps in Serengeti National Park
Good to Know
Serengeti National Park FAQs
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti? +
The Serengeti is excellent all year, but the best area to stay changes with the migration. December to March is calving season in the south, April to June the herds move through the centre and west, and July to October they cross the Mara River in the north. The dry months of June to October offer the easiest overall game viewing.
How many days do I need in the Serengeti? +
We recommend at least three nights to do the Serengeti justice, or four to five nights if you want to combine two areas, such as the Central and Northern Serengeti during the river-crossing season.
Can I see the Big Five in the Serengeti? +
Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo are seen regularly. Black rhinos live in the park but are rare and shy, so we usually pair the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places in Tanzania to see rhino.
Is it better to fly or drive to the Serengeti? +
Flying saves time and gives you more hours on game drives, which is ideal on shorter trips. Driving via Ngorongoro is more affordable and lets you see the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania along the way. Many of our itineraries drive in and fly out.
Keep Exploring
More Tanzania Destinations
Plan Your Serengeti National Park Safari
Tell us when you'd like to travel and what you'd love to see — we'll design a private itinerary around Serengeti National Park.
Plan Your Safari