Overview

The Serengeti is one of the world’s most iconic and sought-after destinations for luxury safaris. Known for its vast, rolling plains and extraordinary wildlife, the park offers an unparalleled safari experience, particularly famous for witnessing the Great Migration. This natural spectacle involves the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, across the expansive landscapes. On top of the Great Migration, the Serengeti is also renowned for close encounters with the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo.

The park’s combination of diverse ecosystems, which includes grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests, all support a rich variety of wildlife, and offer guests the chance to experience a number of safari-related activities, including hot air balloon rides, walking safaris and birdwatching. It is also home to a number of luxury lodges, each offering a blend of opulence and wilderness, ensuring guests enjoy top-tier comfort while remaining deeply connected to the natural environment.

Accommodation

Our top picks

Olakira Migration Camp is a luxury mobile safari camp that offers guests front-row seats to the Great Migration – one of nature’s most spectacular events.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dinner in the Bush

Sundowners

Stargazing

Private Deck

Eco-Friendly

Klein’s Camp, set on the edge of the Kuka Hills and offering views of both the Serengeti and Masai Mara National Reserve, embodies the soul of a classic luxury safari in Tanzania.

HIGHLIGHTS

Private Safari Vehicle

Dinner in the Bush

Pool

Private Butler

Spa & Wellness

Private Chef

Gym-in-a-Basket

Namiri Plains is a secluded luxury camp in the eastern Serengeti, renowned for its exclusive location in a region known for exceptional big cat sightings, particularly cheetahs.

HIGHLIGHTS

Private Deck

Pool

Dinner in the Bush

Fire Pit

Spa & Wellness

Library

Want to see more?

The above accommodation options are just a small sample of the 100’s we have for you to choose from. Get in touch for more amazing options, pricing and personalized itineraries!

The Greatest Show in Africa

The Great Migration is one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles on Earth, involving the mass movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles driven by the search for fresh grazing and water.

The migration is a year-round event. In the southern Serengeti, the calving season occurs from January to March, where thousands of wildebeest calves are born daily, attracting predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. As the dry season approaches in May and June, the herds begin their perilous trek northward, facing dangerous river crossings at the Grumeti and Mara rivers, where crocodiles lie in wait. The dramatic river crossings are some of the most iconic and heart-stopping moments of the migration. By July to September, the herds move up to the north of the country, before crossing the border into the neighbouring Maasai Mara in Kenya, where they continue to graze before gradually making their way back south as the short rains begin in October and November.

Culture of the Maasai

An indigenous group in Kenya and Tanzania, the Maasai are renowned for their rich cultural heritage. Their traditions center around nomadic pastoralism (or animal husbandry), where cattle are central to their way of life. Their distinctive attire, adorned with vibrant beadwork and intricate jewelry, symbolize their social status and rituals.

Their society is patriarchal, where elders hold significant influence, and traditional ceremonies, like the “Eunoto” for warriors and “Enkipaata” for young men, mark important life stages. Despite modern influences, they strive to preserve their customs and connection to the land.

A Land Before Time

The region’s geological stability and minimal human impact over millennia have allowed the Serengeti to maintain its ecological integrity. This has fostered the continuous evolution of its species, creating a living laboratory for the study of natural processes such as predation, migration, and competition. The Serengeti’s ecosystems are intricately balanced, with its seasonal rains dictating the movements and behaviors of its inhabitants, ensuring their survival.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti is not only a wildlife haven but also a crucial area for conservation efforts. It is a reminder of Earth’s natural heritage and the importance of preserving such ecosystems for future generations.

Our Ancestral Homeland

The Serengeti holds significant paleontological importance, especially due to its proximity to Olduvai Gorge, often called the “Cradle of Mankind.” This area has yielded vital fossils of early human ancestors, providing deep insights into human evolution.

Beyond human history, the Serengeti’s ancient soils and geological formations have preserved a rich array of fossils, including those of prehistoric animals like early elephants and antelopes. These discoveries offer a glimpse into the region’s ecological past, helping scientists understand the evolution of biodiversity and environmental changes over millions of years. The Serengeti remains a critical site for research into the history of life on Earth.

Experiences

The Big 5

The Serengeti’s expansive plains, woodlands, and riverine landscapes create diverse habitats that support large populations of these 5 famous species, no matter what season you choose to visit.

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The Great Migration

Witness the iconic Great Migration as millions of wildebeest, alongside zebras and gazelles, traverse into the Serengeti from Kenya in search of food and water, whilst facing predators and dangerous river crossings along the way.

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Night Drives

A number of the Serengeti’s private concessions allow night drives, where guests can witness the noctural behaviours of the animals after the heat of the day.

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Walking Safari

Join certified TANAPA guides as they reveal the intricate details of the Serengeti’s ecosystem, and experience the park’s natural beauty and wildlife up close.

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Big Cats

Enjoy spotting lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitat, as they display their powerful and graceful behaviors in the savannah.

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Hot Air Balloon Safari

Take advantage of the exclusive opportunity to soar above the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon and witness the awe-inspiring migration from a different perspective.

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Wildlife Conservation

Guests can partake in community-based conservation projects and learn about the vital work being done to both protect endangered species and preserve the natural beauty of the Serengeti.

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Birdwatching

Spot an array of species including vultures, ostriches, African grey hornbills, and other fascinating birds that thrive in this rich and varied ecosystem.

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Photography Trips

Specially modified photographic vehicles enable both amateur and professional photographers to capture exceptional wildlife photography at eye level.

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Stargazing

Gaze at the starlit heavens above the Serengeti, where minimal light pollution allows you to see the vast expanses of the night sky.

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Cultural Tours

Engage with local Maasai communities and learn about their traditional customs, lifestyles, and the deep connection they have with the land.

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Spa & Wellness

Whether after a long flight or overland journey, or after a day’s safari viewing, why not pamper yourself with a well-deserved treatment?

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Seasons

Why travel at this time

This brief rainy period rejuvenates the savannah, with new grass that attracts a multitude of animals, and December sees the beginning of the calving season. There are typically fewer tourists around at this time, which, combined with off-peak rates, allow guests to experience a Serengeti safari at a more competitive price and in a more intimate fashion.

Climate

As the name suggests, the Short Rainy Season sees fleeting, albeit unpredictable showers that turn the landscape green, but without heavily impacting travel conditions. Although the humidity levels may be a little higher, temperatures remain warm and pleasant, ideal for spending time in the bush.

Low Temp: 15ºC / 59ºF
High Temp: 28ºC / 82ºF
100mm / 4in (monthly)
Why travel at this time

This is the time of year where the Great Migration’s calving period is in full swing – with hundreds and thousands of wildebeest, zebra and antelope giving birth. Guests visiting during January and February have the chance to see these creatures taking their first steps, as well an increased chance of spotting a hunt, as the calving period also attracts the Serengeti’s large predators. The landscape also remains verdant and visually stunning from the previous Short Rainy Season.

Climate

The Short Dry season features longer and dryer days, with much more limited rainfall and consistently clearer skies. With temperatures rarely dropping below 17°C (63°F) even at night, guests can enjoy comfortable conditions for game viewing. The reduced rainfall and clear skies also improves your visibility when on a game drive.

Low Temp: 17ºC / 63ºF
High Temp: 29ºC / 84ºF
50mm / 2in (monthly)
Why travel at this time

The Long Rainy season is one of the more unique times to visit the Serengeti, with extremely lush landscapes that draw in scores of animals and birds. It is also a great time for photography buffs, with its combination of dramatic skies and rich colors. While the increased rains do pose certain challenges when traveling at this time, the Long Rainy season remains a stunning time to visit the Serengeti.

Climate

March to May sees substantial rainfall, with warm daytime temperatures followed by cooler evenings. Due to the increased rainfall, it is worth noting that some camps may not be open during these months, and that travel conditions more generally may be impacted by the conditions.

Low Temp: 16ºC / 61ºF
High Temp: 27ºC / 81ºF
154mm / 6in (monthly)
Why travel at this time

The Dry season is the most popular time to visit not just the Serengeti but Tanzania more generally, and with good reason. Limited water sources lead to higher concentrations of animals, whilst this is also the time of year where the Great Migration’s iconic river crossings take place. This, combined with ideal photographic conditions due to the clear skies, makes the Dry season the peak time to visit the Serengeti.

Climate

With the Dry season taking place during the winter months, temperatures are typically cooler than at other times of year, and these pleasant conditions are ideal for spending hours in the bush. Very low rainfall also ensures that driving conditions are much more predictable than during the wetter autumnal months beforehand.

Low Temp: 12ºC / 54ºF
High Temp: 24ºC / 75ºF
20mm / 0.8in (monthly)

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