Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size. Join us on a safari and explore the endless Serengeti plains dotted with trees and kopjes from which majestic lions control their kingdom; gaze upon the Great Migration in awe or find an elusive leopard in a riverine forest. Or perhaps see everything from a bird’s-eye view and soar over the plains at sunrise during a hot air balloon safari. Accommodation options come in every price range - the sound of lions roaring at night is complimentary.
Although the Serengeti is home to the Big 5, it's best known for being host to the Great Wildebeest Migration. This grand annual spectacle is when millions of wildebeest, followed by gazelle and zebra, seek greener pastures and dodging predators along the way. Their circuit journey continues south in the Serengeti before heading west, then north into the Maasai Mara, before returning to their starting point. Predators lurk on their heels, pouncing when they see the opportunity, making this journey packed with exhilarating wildlife sightings. The Serengeti stage is set for the drama to unfold, with varying terrain ranging from volcanic grasslands to vast plains, interrupted by rocky outcrops, snaking rivers, and forests.
The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to February or from June to October. However, the Serengeti’s density of wildlife offers a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of the year you visit. The park’s open plains and mild climate mean that vegetation is never too dense to see animals, and the region’s two short rainy seasons from November to December and March to April are rarely too unpleasant.
The Serengeti is a vast ecosystem with many seasonal differences in terms of weather and climate. Serengeti National Park experiences a generally cool and and dry season from May to August; a dry and warmer season in September and October; and a wetter and hot season from November to April.
Serengeti National Park offers what many consider the essence of an African safari. Massive animal herds march across the wide-open savannah as far as you can see, while predators never fail to add drama to this idyllic scene. You won’t need to drive far to spot lions. Cheetahs are common too. Imagine seeing the world’s fastest land animal in full sprint. Leopards are secretive, but you might find one lazing in one of the big trees along the Seronera River.
Although located in a rather remote corner of our planet, Serengeti National Park is easily accessible. Most travellers start their Serengeti safari adventure at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or bustling Arusha. From here you may either travel to your preferred lodge by means of a short transfer flight or by safari vehicle. It is also possible to combine the two and enjoy the best of both worlds!
There are more than 500 bird species recorded in Serengeti National Park, making the Serengeti Park an excellent birding paradise for avid birders. Apart from the usual sightings of bustards and ostriches among others, there are birds in Serengeti National Park that are endemic to the Serengeti, commonly known as the Serengeti specials that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. The Serengeti specials that can only be seen in Serengeti National Park include the grey throated spurfowl, red throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, Schalow’s turaco and the grey-crested helmet shrike. These Serengeti specials can only be seen here and nowhere else in the world. Travellers who therefore choose to do their birding safaris in Serengeti National Park shall have an opportunity to see these Serengeti specials in their natural habitat.
