Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Great Wildebeest Migration, Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-do for first-time and returning safari goers alike.
Translated from the Maa language as ‘the land that moves on forever, the Serengeti’s vast rolling grasslands and golden savannah give travelers a soul-stirring sense of space. Although it is most famous for supporting millions of wildebeest, there are also sizable populations of zebra, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and myriad gazelle and antelope species. And where there is plains game aplenty, predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and wild dog are sure to follow.
From the Wildebeest Migration to incredible year-round game viewing, here are some of our best reasons to go on a safari in the Serengeti:
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the last mass terrestrial animal movements left on the planet, and the main reason why so many wildlife enthusiasts visit the Serengeti – especially at mid-year. Watching herds of biblical proportions move across the plains will stir your soul unlike anything else. It truly is one of Mother Nature’s greatest spectacles! The herds undergo challenges and hardships as they move from region to region, constantly under attack from predators like Africa’s big cats and the notoriously huge crocodiles that lie in wait at river crossing points.
=> Mobile camps move regularly to stay as close to the herds as possible.
=> Some accommodations offer easy access to river crossing points.
=> Calving season (February to March) delivers plenty of bittersweet predator action.
Such is the density of wildlife in the Serengeti that provides a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of year you visit. Although some of the wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate to fresh grazing, not all do and none of the predators move with the herds either. The open plains, wide grasslands, and temperate climate mean that the vegetation is never too thick to spot animals, and the weather is very seldom too inclement to venture out.
=> Safari high season (about July to October) delivers unbeatable game viewing – the Serengeti is one of the best places to observe lions in the wild.
=> The low or Green Season (about November to March) is much quieter and calmer, giving you much more space and time to absorb the beauty of the rain-replenished landscape.
=> The dramatic Migration river crossings run from about May to August.
The Serengeti is a bucket-list destination and many first-time visitors to East Africa want to tick it off. But the incredible diversity of wildlife and extraordinary accommodations also make it a suitable safari destination for those who’ve traveled to Africa many times before. Private and romantic camps deliver incredible honeymoon vacations in Africa, while family-friendly lodges offer fun and age-appropriate safari activities for kids. More and more lodges now offer vegetarian and vegan meals to accommodate those with special dietary requirements. Many camps are also branching out into other safari activities like mountain biking, horse riding, and even archery.
=> Romantic and private camps for honeymooners and special occasions.
=> Family-friendly lodges with entertaining kids’ activities.
=> Adventure safari activities like mobile camping, nature walks, mountain biking, and horse riding.
=> Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the extraordinary diversity of animals.
