Serengeti National Park: Overview
Serengeti National Park, located in the northern part of Tanzania, spans over 14,763 square kilometers (5,700 square miles) and is renowned for its unspoiled savanna, covering 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres). It was established in 1940, the park lies within the eastern Mara and northeastern Simiyu regions.
It is world-famous for hosting the largest terrestrial migration of wildlife, with over 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras, alongside smaller herds of gazelles and elands. The Serengeti is also home to Africa’s largest population of lions in the world.
Video: Serengeti National Park Highlights
Wildlife in Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti offers the best African safari experience, where expansive plains teem with wildlife. Here, you’ll witness large herds of animals, often followed by their predators, creating thrilling moments for visitors. Lions are easily spotted, while cheetahs often grace the scene, sometimes at full sprint. Although leopards are more elusive, you might catch a glimpse of one lounging in a tree near the Seronera River.
The park’s most famous spectacle is the annual wildebeest migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles move in search of greener pastures, pursued by predators like lions, hyenas, and jackals.
The Great Migration
Known as the world’s second-longest land migration, the Great Migration covers a route of approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles). It begins in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where nearly half a million wildebeest are born between January and March. As the dry season starts, the herds—around 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras—migrate north towards Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Along the way, they face natural obstacles like the Grumeti and Mara rivers, where crocodiles await. Unfortunately, about 250,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebras perish each year due to predation, drowning, exhaustion, or disease. If you are interested in witnessing the great migration, then Serengeti is for you.
Birdlife in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park has over 500 recorded bird species. From the vibrant Beautiful Sunbird flitting among aloe flowers to the majestic ostrich performing its mating dance, the park boasts a wide range of birdlife.
Some species are endemic to the Serengeti, such as the grey-throated spurfowl, Schalow’s wheatear, and red-throated tit. Other iconic birds include the secretary bird, African fish eagle, and numerous vulture species.
Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park
The best time to visit Mikumi and Tanzania as a whole is during the dry season, from July to late March, when the vegetation is thinner, and animals gather around waterholes. September and October are especially good months for seeing large herds of animals at the remaining water sources.
Safari Packages for Serengeti National Park
Visitors can explore Serengeti National Park by booking one of our safari packages:
Best Places to Stay in Serengeti National Park
There are a variety of the best places you can stay in Serengeti. Some of them are:
- Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp
- Mbali Mbali Soroi Serengeti Lodge
- Sound of Silence
- Osero Serengeti Tented Camp
- Meliá Serengeti Lodge
- Serengeti Tortilis Camp
- Serengeti Sametu Camp
How to get to Serengeti National Park
From Dar es Salaam: The quickest and best way to get to Serengeti from Dar es Salam is to fly from Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salam to Arusha Airport and then drive to Serengeti.
From Zanzibar: The quickest and best way is to fly from Zanzibar Airport to Arusha Airport and then drive to Serengeti National Park.
From Outside Tanzania: The best way to arrive in Serengeti for International travelers is to first land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and then driving to Serengeti National Park. Here we recommend you not go directly to the park because you may be tired already. So, take your car to Arusha city first, and then in the morning drive to Serengeti.
Travel Tips for Visiting Serengeti National Park
Weather: The Serengeti is very cold compared to the tropical climate of Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, so pack accordingly.
Best Time to Visit: The dry season (July to mid-March) is ideal for easier access and wildlife sightings, while the wet season (March to mid-June) can make travel more challenging.
Take Your Camera: Serengeti is the best of the best Safari experience which you can never experience anywhere in the world, make sure you have your camera to take your memory.
