Northern Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
The short-grass plains at the centre of the migration, and the reason the northern circuit exists.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Typical access
- Road from Arusha via Ngorongoro, or a scheduled light aircraft
- Usual stay
- 1–3 nights
- Terrain
- Short-grass plains, granite kopjes, riverine forest, woodland
Overview
What Serengeti is.
The Serengeti is very large and very varied: short-grass plains in the south, granite kopjes through the centre, riverine forest along the Grumeti and Mara rivers, and woodland in the west and north.
It holds the resident half of the migration year-round. Roughly 1.3 million wildebeest and several hundred thousand zebra move through the ecosystem on a loop driven by rainfall, calving on the southern plains around February and crossing north in the middle of the year.
Predator viewing is exceptional throughout — the kopjes in particular are reliable places to find lion and, with patience, leopard.
Wildlife
What you are likely to see.
- Wildebeest and zebra in migration numbers
- Lion on and around the granite kopjes
- Leopard in the riverine forest
- Cheetah on the short-grass plains
- Elephant, giraffe, buffalo and eland
- Crocodile and hippo in the Grumeti and Mara rivers
Experiences
How the days work here.
Central Seronera game drives
Year-round resident game, with reliable predator viewing.
Balloon safari
A dawn flight over the plains, booked locally at extra cost.
Olduvai Gorge
A stop at the archaeological site on the way between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, at own account.
Best time to visit
When to come to Serengeti.
- December – MarchCalving season on the southern plains, with heavy predator activity.
- June – JulyHerds move north and west; Grumeti crossings are possible.
- August – OctoberNorthern Serengeti, with Mara river crossings when conditions allow.
- April – MayLong rains. Green, very quiet, lower rates.
Where you stay
Our shortlist at each level.
Properties Ndurumo may recommend or use at each level. Final accommodation is confirmed with your quotation and remains subject to availability.
Budget
Seronera Camp
Midrange
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Luxury
Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
Routes that include Serengeti
Safaris through here.
Tanzania · 3 daysclassic safari
3 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The shortest route that reaches both the Serengeti plains and the crater floor.
Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 4 daysclassic safari
4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The standard northern circuit shape, with Manyara as the way in.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 4 daysclassic safari
4 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Two nights in the Serengeti, with a full day on the plains before the crater.
Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 5 daysclassic safari
5 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The northern circuit with room in it: three habitats and a full Serengeti day.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 6 daysclassic safari
6 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire Safari
The complete northern circuit, finishing among the baobabs of Tarangire.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Tarangire · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 10 daysclassic safari
10 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
One ecosystem seen from both sides, plus Kilimanjaro's shadow in between.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 11 daysclassic safari
11 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The ten-day circuit with Lake Manyara added, and less driving on the Tanzanian side.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 12 daysclassic safari
12 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The longest cross-border circuit, with a full stationary day in the Serengeti.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Questions
About Serengeti.
Where in the Serengeti should I stay?
It depends on the month. The southern plains suit December to March, the central Seronera area works all year, and the north suits August to October.
Is the Serengeti better than the Maasai Mara?
They are one ecosystem seen from two sides. The Serengeti is far larger and feels wilder; the Mara is more concentrated and easier to reach from Nairobi.
Plan your safari
Build a trip around Serengeti.
Tell us your dates and how long you have, and we will shape a route that gives Serengeti the time it deserves.