Many travellers dream of going on a Safari in the Serengeti when planning a trip to Africa. You often see this vast national park in pictures, travel shows, and brochures while planning to visit it. But there is more to organising a Serengeti Safari Experience than just choosing a date and making a reservation at a lodge.
The Serengeti is huge, and the weather changes in different parts of it at different times of the year. The animals move, the grass changes, and the experience varies with the seasons. Hence, you have to plan your safari in a way that you gain maximum experience.
This guide is for anyone who wants to learn how to make good plans. We’ll go over everything step by step, from the best places to visit to how the seasons affect wildlife watching to how to budget for Safari Tours in Tanzania.
Location of the Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is in the northwest of Tanzania. It goes all the way to the border with Kenya, where it meets the Masai Mara. They make up the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, which is one of the Best Tourist Attractions in Tanzania and one of the world’s biggest wildlife refuges.
The Maasai word Siringet, which means “the land that moves on forever,” is where the name Serengeti comes from. The name makes sense when you’re out on the plains for sure. The park is more than 14,000 square kilometres big and has some of the most wildlife of any place in Africa.
How to get to Serengeti National Park?
Most travellers arrive at Serengeti National Park by air. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the easiest route to connect to other countries. However, some people also utilise Arusha Airport for domestic flights.
People usually Get to Serengeti by:
- Taking charter flights to Serengeti’s airstrips. These small planes connect you to various parts of the park, including Seronera (Central), Kogatende (North), Grumeti (West), and Ndutu (South).
- Driving overland from Arusha. This is common for travellers who want to engage in a northern circuit safari, combining the Serengeti with Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater.
To summarise, flying is the best way to go to the park quickly and easily. But if you want to stop at other Tanzania Destinations like Ngorongoro or Lake Manyara along the way, driving is better.
In either case, most travellers spend the night in Arusha before moving on. This is helpful if your flight is late or if you want to avoid travelling on two days in a row.
When to Visit and What You’ll See
The Serengeti doesn’t shut down during the year. Animals stay all year long, and you’ll always find something happening in the wild.
But the Serengeti Safari Experience does shift depending on the season. Some months are better for certain animals. Others bring better prices or fewer crowds. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the Best Time to visit Tanzania for a Serengeti Safari based on what matters most.
|
Season |
Months | Highlights |
|
Peak Dry Season |
July to October |
Best predator sightings, river crossings |
|
Short Rainy Season |
November to December |
Fewer tourists, fresh green landscapes |
|
Calving Season |
January to March |
Wildebeest births, intense predator activity |
| Long Rainy Season | April to May |
Quietest period, low rates, green photography |
Each of these seasons supports a different version of the Serengeti Safari Tours. Like you can see in the table, some are perfect for catching dramatic events like river crossings. Others are better for quiet landscapes and low visitor numbers.
Choosing the Right Safari Area on a Serengeti Safari
The Serengeti is so big that each region of the park feels like its own place to visit. The right area for you will depend on the time of year, what animals you want to view, and how far away or active you want your experience to be.
Central Serengeti – Seronera Valley
This is the central region of the park, known for its reliable game sightings throughout the year.
- Excellent for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and herbivores
- Good access via Seronera airstrip
- Best for first-timers and shorter safaris
- Many lodges and camps to choose from
Northern Serengeti – Kogatende Region
This area becomes the centre of attention during The Great Wildebeest Migration (July to October) when herds cross the Mara River.
- Quiet and scenic with green hills and riverine forest
- Ideal for witnessing dramatic river crossings
- Best chance to spot rhinos
- Serengeti Hot Air Balloon safaris are available in this region
Accommodations: Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge, Mara Mara Tented Lodge, Serengeti River Camp
Southern Serengeti – Ndutu Plains
From January to March, this area transforms into calving grounds for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest.
- Birth season attracts predators like lions and cheetahs
- Easy to combine with the Ngorongoro Crater
- Short drives between camps and sightings
- Busy during peak calving season
Western Serengeti – Grumeti River Zone
The west is lush and peaceful, with dramatic river scenes between May and July.
- Famous for Grumeti River crossings
- Large crocodiles and hippos are common
- Exclusive safari experience with fewer camps
- Ideal for Tanzania Luxury Safaris and longer stays
Stay at: Singita Grumeti Reserve for ultra-luxury
Eastern Serengeti – Soit Le Motonyi Area
A lesser-known area that delivers excellent predator sightings.
- Quiet and great for photography
- Excellent cheetah territory
- Beautiful open plains and rocky outcrops
Each region has something unique. The timing and movement of animals should guide your choices more than just accommodation availability.
Things to Do on a Serengeti Safari
Most safaris in the Serengeti National Park revolve around game drives. But, depending on where you stay, you can indulge in other activities that will make your trip more varied and fun.
- Game drives in the morning and afternoon are the standard.
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris happen in select parts of the park and usually take place at sunrise.
- Walking safaris are available in certain areas, especially private concessions or camps outside park boundaries.
- Cultural visits to local Maasai communities can be arranged with some itineraries.
- Night drives are allowed in a few private areas but not in the national park itself.
The combination of these activities strengthens your connection to the natural environment and provides a new dimension of variation to your Serengeti Safari Experience.
Budgeting for Your Serengeti Safari
The cost of a Serengeti safari depends on a few important factors:
- Level of accommodation (mid-range vs luxury)
- Whether you fly or drive between locations
- Duration of stay
- Travel season (high vs low)
- Extra activities like balloon safaris or walking tours
Taking into consideration all the above factors, it can be established that safari costs vary widely. And, the final price depends on where you stay, when you go, and how you travel between parks. Remember, flying is faster and more expensive. Driving is cheaper but takes longer.
Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
- Mid-range trips: $550–$800 per person per day
- High-end trips: $1,000–$2,000 per person per day
Planning around these price ranges helps set realistic expectations and avoids last-minute compromises.
How long to stay and why it matters
The Serengeti is really large. It takes a while to drive across it. That’s why you could feel rushed if you only stay for two or three nights. It is frequently suggested that you stay for at least four nights.
We suggest giving yourself at least a week if you want to see the Serengeti along with other parks like Tarangire or Ngorongoro.
The 7 Days Serengeti Migration Tour and the 6 Days Serengeti Wildebeest Calving Season are two examples of itineraries that provide travellers adequate time to see diverse areas at a suitable pace.
If you don’t have a lot of time, you might want to choose a more focused option like the 4 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Fly-In.
Check out our other Tanzania Safari Tours here.
Types of Accommodation and What to Expect
In the Serengeti, you may find a lot of different Accommodations to stay in, from simple tented camps to fancy resorts with pools and spas. You get a different sense of the park with each sort of camp.
- There are Mobile camps that follow the movement of the wildebeest. These are comfy but meant to be close to the activity.
- Permanent lodges, on the other hand, have more amenities and are better for travellers who like stability and service.
- Mid-range camps are a fantastic choice for people who wish to be comfortable without spending a lot of money.
- High-end luxury properties have big rooms, great meals, and personalised service.
If you’re looking for the Best Places to Stay in Tanzania, a lot of them are in the Serengeti itself. Some lodges are experts in taking pictures of animals. Some are quieter and more private, which is great for couples or special events.
Small Planning Tips That Make a Big Impact
A few simple planning steps can improve your safari experience in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania:
- Choose the right region based on animal movement
- Book early if travelling during peak migration season
- Check if your camp includes park fees and transfers
- Confirm the internal flight schedule before finalising your itinerary
- Allow for rest days between long travel segments
These tips are often overlooked but make a big difference when organising Safari Tours in Tanzania.
Build Your Perfect Safari with Experts
When you plan your Serengeti trip well, you can mix wildlife, timing, comfort, and logistics into one smooth trip. It’s not enough to just mark off animals; it’s about how everything fits together. In the early morning, it’s quiet. The sound of hooves on the fields can be heard. A lion walks out of the grass.
All of these Serengeti Safari Experiences can only be felt if you are at the right place at the right time. For that, you need to travel to Serengeti with an expert tour operator who knows the inside and out of the national park.
Great Image Expeditions specialises in making custom plans that help people have a smooth, meaningful, and unforgettable time in the Serengeti. No matter if this is your first safari or you’re going back for a longer trip, our team will make sure you have a great time in Tanzania.
