Serengeti National Park
Highlights
The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai word “siringet,” which means “a place where the land never ends.” This perfectly describes the park’s wide, open plains.
The history of conservation in the Serengeti started in 1913, when Stewart Edward White, an American explorer, traveled through the northern part of the Serengeti and recorded his journey. When he returned in 1920, he camped in the Seronera area and did a lot of hunting, which greatly affected the lion population.
By 1921, the British colonial government saw the importance of protecting the area and declared part of it a game reserve. This protected area was expanded in 1929. Finally, in 1951, Serengeti National Park was officially created.
To better protect the animals, the Maasai people were moved to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in 1959, helping to preserve the Serengeti’s unique and valuable environment.
Explore the Serengeti
The Serengeti National Park is generally divided into three main regions, each with its own unique character. The well-known southern and central zone, known as the Seronera Valley, is what the Maasai refer to as “serengit”, meaning “the endless plains.” This area features a classic savannah landscape, scattered with acacia trees and teeming with wildlife.
To the west lies the Western Corridor, defined by the Grumeti River. This region is characterized by thicker woodlands and dense undergrowth. The northern section, known as Lobo, borders Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve and remains the least frequented part of the park, offering a more secluded experience.
Within the vast 30,000 km² Serengeti region, there are two designated World Heritage Sites and two recognized Biosphere Reserves. Its extraordinary ecosystem has long served as a source of inspiration for writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Peter Matthiessen, as well as acclaimed filmmakers like Hugo van Lawick and Alan Root, along with a host of photographers and researchers whose work has contributed greatly to our understanding of the area.
The Serengeti ecosystem is among the most ancient on the planet. Its key natural elements—climate, plant life, and animal species—have remained largely unchanged for over a million years. Evidence of early human life, dating back nearly two million years, was discovered in Olduvai Gorge, marking the region’s historical significance. Many of the natural cycles of life, death, evolution, and migration continue as they have for millennia.
The park is most renowned for the Great Migration, a spectacular natural phenomenon. Each year, more than one million wildebeest and approximately 200,000 zebras move southward from the northern hills to the southern plains following the brief rains of October and November. After the long rains in April, May, and June, they shift westward and then north again. This deeply rooted migratory instinct is so powerful that even droughts, steep ravines, or crocodile-infested rivers cannot deter them.
The Serengeti is home to the highest density of large mammals on Earth. It is especially noted for its population of around 2,500 lions—the largest concentration of lions found anywhere in the world. In addition, the park supports more than 518 recorded bird species, including a number of Eurasian migratory birds that spend the European winter months, from October to April, in the region.
Time to visit Serengeti
Accommodation: There is a wide range of places to stay in the Serengeti Ecosystem.
Distance: With the Serengeti only 335 km (208 miles) from Arusha it is still a very long drive due to the roads. If you are driving to the Serengeti National Park it is recommended to stop off on the way. We would like to point out that if you are interested in visiting the Ngorongoro Crater on the way, it is best to get to the rim the afternoon before and then spend the whole next day in the Crater.
Best time to visit: Following the Wildebeest migration from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve, the best time is December to July and to see the predators the best time is June to October.
Jan-Feb
Mar– May
Jun-Jul
Aug-Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan-Feb
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January – February | Warm, Dry Season | Hot and dry | Calving season in Ndutu (Southern Serengeti) | Predator action, fewer tourists |
Mar– May
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March – May | Long Rains Rainy | green landscapes General wildlife viewing | fewer tourists Budget safaris | photography |
Jun-Jul
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June – July | Cool | Dry Season Dry | Clear skies Migration moves to Western Serengeti & Grummet River Peak game drives | Great weather |
Aug-Sep
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August – September | Dry Season | Warm and dry | River crossings in Northern Serengeti (Mara River) | Most dramatic safari scenes |
Oct
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
October |
Shoulder Season | Slight rain warmer | Migration heads south againLess crowded | good mix of wildlife |
Nov
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
November |
Short Rains | Light rains | Scattered herds, green season begins | Low season, lush views |
Dec
| Month | Season | Weather | Wildlife Highlights | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December |
Green Season Begins | Short rains, fresh air | Migration returns to south, calving starts soon | Festive safaris, fewer crowds |
