Serengeti National Park Tanzania; 2022/3 Complete Guide

Visit Serengeti National Park and discover why Tanzania stands out as a favorite destination in Africa. Located in the Northern Tanzania safari circuit, Serengeti is truly a heart of Tanzania, offering typical of African wilderness experiences. Boasting of its endless plains, a visit to this Protected Area never leaves you the same way you came to Tanzania.

Serengeti National ParkExperience something unique in your travel life by visiting Serengeti National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site which forms the extensive Serengeti eco-system between the Masai Mara and The Simiyu Area. Serengeti National Park is one Africa’s oldest parks, established in 1951 and its borders stretch up to 14763sq.kms.

The extensive Serengeti National Park is set right in Northeast of Arusha bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

The park boasts of 3 outstanding sectors/regions including the Southern sector consisting of Seronera Valley, Central Area, Western Corridor featuring the Grumeti River and The Northern region plus Lobo Area which connects Serengeti Tanzania to Masai Mara of Kenya.

Serengeti takes its name from the local word ‘Serengeti’ and the Maasai refer it as ‘Siringet’ meaning endless plains. To the Maasai, Serengeti was thought not to have an end. Earlier in 1892, Oscar Baumann visited Serengeti and Stewart Edward White followed in 1913.

Location of Serengeti & Getting there

Serengeti is a spectacular Tanzania safari park and it is located right within the country’s renowned Northern Tourist Circuit. The Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit also encompasses the extensive Ngorongoro Conservation Area/Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.

From Arusha town Tanzania to Serengeti National Park, it takes nature lovers about 6 to 7 hours of driving with en-route breathtaking view of the countryside.

By air: Flights are the quickest options to reach Serengeti to enjoy your Tanzania safari tours. Flights set off from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha Airport to any of the park’s 7 airstrips (Seronera Airstrip, Kogatende airstrip, Lobo, Sasakwa, Serengeti Kusini, Kirawira B, Fort Ikoma airstrips, etc).

There are about 4 major entry and exit points in Serengeti NP that is Ndabaka gate the main gate offering access to the park from the Western corridor area, Naabi Hill gate also known to be the busiest gate, Klein’s gate in the North-east of Serengeti, and Bologonya gate found en-route to/from Kenya.

Attractions in Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is a stronghold of Africa’s most looked for attractions ranging from the wildebeests to the big five game. The park is famous as a home to the big 5 and wildebeest migration for a good reason.

The extensive 14763sq.kms Serengeti National Park protects a huge concentration of large mammals with over 2500 lions, millions of wildebeests, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, giraffes.

Besides wildebeests and big game, Serengeti National Park also shelters wildlife species such as warthogs, Janet cats, dik-dik, bushbucks, gazelles, zebras, hippos, bat eared fox, mongoose, hyenas, oryx, lesser kudus, hyraxes, wild dogs, vervet monkeys, cheetahs to mention but a few.

A significant population of reptiles also exist in Serengeti including the Rainbow agama, Nile crocodiles, African pythons, Nile monitor lizards, puff adders, chameleon.

Birds

A total of 500 species of birds all await you to explore on Tanzania birding tour in Serengeti National Park. The park shelters both migratory and endemic birds, spotted in the various habitats. The park is known for its 5 special birds and they include the grey crested helmet shrike, grey breasted spur fowl, Usambiro barbet and Rufous tailed weaver.

Wildebeest migration

Wildebeest migration is one experience that makes Serengeti National Park and Tanzania safaris complete. Over 1.5 million wildebeests migrate together with thousands of elands, zebras, gazelles while searching for pasture and this is usually from July to October. The Grumeti River crossing is enjoyable in June and calving or birthing period occurs from January, February.

Moru Kopjes

Serengeti N/Park is also known for its beautiful kopjes. They are ideal spot for viewing the black rhinos. Besides, they are hiding spots for lions and leopards.

Serengeti National Park Activities

Game drives

Game drives are the main highlights of Serengeti National Park safaris.

Game drives offer tourists a chance to immerse themselves into the stunning endless plains of Serengeti while in search for the big five game that is leopards, elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes and other species like wildebeests, elands, zebras, giraffes, birds and more.

lions in Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park Tanzania has different sectors each with unique attractions stretching from the Southern end border with Ngorongoro Crater to the extreme North border with the Maasai Mara Reserve and Seronera- the central safari circuit where morning game drives are often conducted.

While on a game drive in Serengeti, visitors can engage in a night game drive, full day guided game drive and or morning game drive.

Birding/bird watching

Bird watching in Serengeti is one of the most sought-for safari experience and it grants birders a chance to identify some of its 500 bird species.

The park is a stronghold of birds such as secretary birds, southern ground hornbills, kori bustards, grey breasted spur fowl, Fischer’s lovebird, Usambiro barbet, Ruppell’s vultures, black eagles, grey crested helmet shrike, black headed gonoleks, etc. Note, Serengeti protects most of Tanzania’s endemic birds and 5 birds which don’t exist anywhere else.

Hot air balloon safaris

Hot air balloon offers mesmerizing aerial view of Serengeti National Park’s huge concentration of wildlife and the breathtaking view of the endless plains of the park. Air balloon safaris last for 1-4 hours and you can embark on morning experience often begins at 6:00am till 9/10:00am.

Hot air ballon in Serengeti

This safari activity is offered in the 3 sectors in Serengeti that is Northern Serengeti Maasai Mara circuit, Central Seronera and Southern Ndutu Sector.

Nature walks

Embark on guided nature walk to explore Serengeti National Park’s natural endowment from birds, wildlife and flora. Or visit the Maasai village to explore the unique cultures, traditional beliefs of the Maasai people living adjacent to the Serengeti. The Maasai- the semi-nomadic pastoralists live in the far Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya.

Serengeti

What is the best time to visit Serengeti?

Serengeti is an all year-round wildlife safari park. It enjoys favorable weather conditions, but June to July are the best months to enjoy the Great Migration, December to February- a perfect time for witnessing wildebeest calving. Birding is ideal in November and April when you can also sight migratory birds.

Where to stay

Serengeti National Park has all categories of lodges or camps right from budget to luxury facilities. The budget facilities include among others Grumeti Migration Camp, Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp, Serengeti Simba, Ikoma Tented Camp and Lobo Wildlife Lodge;

Luxury accommodation choices include Mawe Luxury Tented Camp, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, &Beyond Klein’s Camp, Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge, Serengeti Migration Camp, Roving Bushtop Camp, Siringit Serengeti Camp, Sayari Camp, Singita Mara Camp, etc.

Mid-range lodges of Serengeti National Park include Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Serena Lodge, Melia Serengeti Lodge, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, etc.


 

Best Tours to Serengeti National Park

3 Days Serengeti National Park

This is with no doubt one of the most exceptional Tanzania safaris, offering you a lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself into the endless plains of Serengeti as you enjoy view of big five game and watch the great wildebeest migration… View Tour

5 Days Budget Tanzania Safari

Enjoy 5 Days Budget Tanzania Safari exploring the splendid Northern Tourist Circuit sites such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. This is an ultimate wildlife safari in Tanzania taking you… View Tour

6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari 

The 6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari is for both wildebeest migration and big five game viewing experience in Tanzania. This Tanzania wildlife safari includes visit to Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit destinations such as Serengeti… View Tour

7 Days Tanzania Safari

This is one of the best long Tanzania safari designed for you to explore and experience Tanzania’s natural endowments. This safari in Tanzania focuses on the Northern Tourist Circuit particularly Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara… View Tour

8 Days Luxury Tanzania Safari

The 8 Days Luxury Tanzania Safari is a special wildlife safari package designed differently for those you in search for something splendour while visiting Tanzania. What awaits you on this luxury wildlife tour 7nights/8days includes an unforgettable… View Tour