
National park · Northern Circuit
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's most famous park, home to the Great Migration and endless plains teeming with wildlife.
Last updated
- Circuit
- Northern Circuit
- Type
- National park
- Best time
- June to October for dry season; January to March for calving
- Location
- 2.33° S, 34.83° E
- Safaris
- 8 trips visit
Overview
About Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, spanning 14,763 km² of pristine African wilderness. Its name comes from the Maasai word "siringet" meaning "endless plains" - and once you witness the vast savannahs stretching to the horizon, you'll understand why.
The park is most famous for hosting the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson's gazelles make their annual circular trek following the rains. This spectacular event, often called the greatest wildlife show on Earth, sees dramatic river crossings where crocodiles await and predators follow the herds.
Beyond the migration, Serengeti has the highest concentration of large predators in Africa. Lions are everywhere - an estimated 3,000 live in the park. Leopards lounge in acacia trees, cheetahs sprint across the plains, and hyenas dominate the night. The Big Five are all present, with healthy populations of elephants and buffalos, though black rhinos are rare.
- Great Migration
- Big Five
- Endless Plains
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris
On the ground
What you can see and do
Wildlife you may see
- Lion
- Leopard
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Cheetah
- Hyena
Things to do
- Game Drives
- Hot Air Balloon
- Walking Safaris
- Photography
Inside Serengeti
Areas to know
Central Serengeti (Seronera)
The heart of Serengeti with year-round wildlife and the famous Seronera River.
Year-round wildlife · Seronera River · Big cats · Hippo pools
Western Corridor (Grumeti)
Known for dramatic river crossings during the migration.
River crossings · Grumeti River · Crocodiles · Migration route
Best months
May, June, July
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
The most dramatic Mara River crossings happen here.
Mara River crossings · Migration · Remote wilderness · Fewer crowds
Best months
July, August, September, October
Southern Serengeti & Ndutu
Calving grounds where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth.
Calving season · Short grass plains · Predator action · Lake Ndutu
Best months
January, February, March
Where to stay
Lodges and camps
Lodge · Luxury
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Location
Where Serengeti is
2.33° S, 34.83° E in the Northern Circuit. See it with every other park.
“The combination of safari and Zanzibar beach was perfect. We saw all the Big Five in Serengeti and then relaxed on pristine beaches. The team handled every detail flawlessly. Can't recommend highly enough!”
Trips
Safaris that visit Serengeti
- 5 days · Wildlife5-Day Budget Tanzania SafariExperience the magic of Tanzania's Northern Circuit without breaking the bank. This camping safari visits Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater with professional guides and quality camping equipment. Perfect for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers.Price on requestView itinerary
- 6 days · Luxury6-Day Luxury Fly-In SafariSkip the long drives and fly directly into the heart of the Serengeti. Stay at Tanzania's most exclusive lodges, enjoy private game drives, fine dining, and world-class service. This is safari at its most luxurious.Price on requestView itinerary
- 7 days · Wildlife7-Day Classic Tanzania SafariOur most popular Tanzania safari takes you through the legendary Serengeti, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, and elephant-rich Tarangire. Perfect for first-time visitors wanting to experience the best of Tanzania in one week.Price on requestView itinerary
- 8 days · Family8-Day Family Safari AdventureCreate unforgettable family memories on this kid-friendly Tanzania safari. Designed for families with children ages 5+, this adventure features shorter drives, family-friendly lodges with swimming pools, and special activities that keep young explorers engaged.Price on requestView itinerary
- 9 days · Migration9-Day Great Migration SafariFollow the great wildebeest migration across the Serengeti on this expert-guided safari. With 5 nights in the Serengeti positioned in the migration's path, this trip maximizes your chances of witnessing river crossings and predator action.From $6,800 ppView itinerary
- 10 days · Photography10-Day Wildlife Photography SafariDesigned for serious photographers, this safari features optimal timing for golden hour, extended time at key locations, and a vehicle configured for photography with bean bags, extra space, and charging stations.Price on requestView itinerary
Nearby
More in the Northern Circuit
- Mountain
Kilimanjaro National Park
Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest free-standing mountain - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Uhuru Peak Summit · Five Climate Zones · Glaciers3.08° S, 37.35° EDestination guide - Conservation area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the world's largest intact volcanic caldera.Crater Floor · Big Five · Maasai Culture3.17° S, 35.58° EDestination guide - National park
Tarangire National Park
Famous for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees.Elephant Herds · Baobab Trees · Tarangire River4.02° S, 36.02° EDestination guide - Town
Arusha
The safari capital of Tanzania and gateway to the Northern Circuit parks.Safari Gateway · Mount Meru · Coffee Tours3.39° S, 36.68° EDestination guide









