SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The Endless Plains
The Serengeti is more than a national park. It is a symbol. It is the very essence of Africa, the landscape that has captured the imagination of travelers for generations. Its name comes from the Maasai word siringet, meaning endless plains. And endless is exactly what they are. Stretching across more than 14,000 square kilometers in northern Tanzania, the Serengeti is one of the largest and most diverse wildlife habitats on earth. The plains roll to the horizon, dotted with acacia trees and termite mounds, the grass golden in the dry season, green in the rains. The wildlife is abundant beyond measure. This is the stage for the Great Migration, the greatest wildlife spectacle on our planet. More than two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move in a continuous cycle across the plains, following the rains and the fresh grass. Predators follow, the lions, leopards, and cheetahs that have made the Serengeti famous. But the Serengeti is not just about the migration. It is a place of year round wildlife, of stunning landscapes, of sunsets that seem to set the sky on fire. It is a place that defies description. You have to see it to believe it. At Africa Exotic Safaris, we have been guiding travelers into this remarkable park for more than a decade. We know the best spots for wildlife viewing, the optimal times for the river crossings, and the hidden corners where the herds gather. We invite you to discover the endless plains of the Serengeti.
Why Serengeti Is Special
You may be wondering what makes Serengeti National Park stand out among Africa’s many wildlife destinations. The answer lies in its scale, its diversity, and its wildlife. The Serengeti is one of the oldest and most well established ecosystems on earth. The patterns of life here have been unfolding for millions of years, largely unchanged. The Great Migration, the largest overland migration on the planet, is the centerpiece of the Serengeti experience, but the park offers so much more.
The Serengeti is home to the largest lion population in Africa. More than 3,000 lions live in the park, their prides spread across the plains. Leopards are common, often seen lounging in the acacia trees that dot the landscape. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains, their speed and grace a wonder to behold. Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and hippos are all present in large numbers. More than 500 bird species fill the skies.
The landscapes of the Serengeti are as diverse as its wildlife. The southern plains, known as the short grass plains, are the site of the calving season, when more than 8,000 wildebeest calves are born each day. The western corridor, with its riverine forests and the Grumeti River, is the site of the first river crossings of the migration. The northern Serengeti, with its rolling hills and the Mara River, is the site of the dramatic river crossings that have become famous around the world. The central Serengeti, known as the Seronera Valley, offers year round wildlife viewing, with lions, leopards, and other predators easily spotted.
The Serengeti is a place of superlatives. It is vast. It is wild. It is unforgettable.
The Great Migration
The Greatest Wildlife Spectacle on Earth
The Great Migration is the largest overland migration on earth. More than two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move in a continuous cycle across the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, following the rains and the fresh grass. The migration is not a single event but a year round cycle, with different stages offering different experiences.
Calving Season: January to March
From January to March, the herds gather on the southern plains of the Serengeti. This is the calving season, when more than 8,000 wildebeest calves are born each day. The plains are dotted with newborns, their legs still wobbly, their mothers close by. The predators gather in large numbers, drawn by the abundance of easy prey. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards hunt the young calves, creating a spectacle of life and death that is both brutal and beautiful. This is the best time to see predators in action, with hunting attempts happening daily.
The Rut and the Move North: April to June
As the rains end and the grass dries on the southern plains, the herds begin to move north. April and May are the months of the rut, when the wildebeest males compete for mating rights. The battles are fierce, the energy intense. The herds move in columns, stretching for kilometers across the plains. By June, the herds have reached the western corridor and the Grumeti River. The first river crossings begin, with the wildebeest facing the crocodiles that lurk in the waters.
River Crossings: July to October
The most dramatic chapter of the migration occurs from July to October, when the herds cross the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. The river is deep, the currents swift, and the crocodiles are waiting. The herds gather on the riverbanks, hesitating for hours or even days. Then, suddenly, a single wildebeest takes the plunge, and the rest follow. The chaos is extraordinary. Animals plunge into the water, scrambling up the opposite bank. Crocodiles strike. The weak are swept away. And through it all, the herds continue, driven by an ancient instinct that is beyond human understanding.
The Return South: November to December
By November, the short rains have begun, and the herds start their journey south. They move through the eastern Serengeti, crossing the Loliondo area, and return to the southern plains by December. The cycle begins again.
The Great Migration is a year round spectacle. Wherever you are in the Serengeti, you are never far from the herds. Our guides know the migration patterns intimately and will take you to the best locations for the time of your visit.
The Seronera Valley
The Heart of Predator Country
The Seronera Valley, in the central Serengeti, is the heart of the park’s predator population. This area is known for its year round wildlife viewing, with lions, leopards, and cheetahs frequently seen. The valley is watered by the Seronera River, which attracts wildlife even in the dry season.
Lions are everywhere in the Seronera Valley. The prides here are large, sometimes numbering more than 20 individuals. You will see them lounging in the shade of acacia trees, stalking prey, or caring for their cubs. Leopards are also common, often seen in the fig trees that line the river. The Seronera Valley is one of the best places in Africa to see leopards. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains, their speed and grace a wonder to behold.
Beyond the predators, the Seronera Valley is home to large herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle. Elephants, giraffes, and buffalo are also present. The bird life is spectacular, with more than 500 species recorded. The Seronera Valley is the perfect place for a game drive at any time of year.
The Western Corridor
The Grumeti River Crossings
The western corridor of the Serengeti is a region of riverine forests, open plains, and the Grumeti River. This area is best known for the river crossings that occur from June to July, when the migration herds cross the Grumeti River on their way north.
The Grumeti River is not as deep or as swift as the Mara River, but it is home to some of the largest crocodiles in Africa. The river crossings here are dramatic, with the crocodiles striking at the wildebeest as they struggle through the water. The Grumeti area is also home to large prides of lions, which hunt the herds as they gather on the riverbanks.
The western corridor is less visited than the central Serengeti, offering a more exclusive experience. The lodges and camps here are small and intimate, placing you in the heart of the action.
The Northern Serengeti
The Mara River Crossings
The northern Serengeti is a region of rolling hills, open plains, and the Mara River. This area is best known for the Mara River crossings, which occur from July to October. The Mara River is deep, the currents swift, and the crocodiles are large and numerous. The river crossings here are the most dramatic of the entire migration, with the wildebeest plunging into the water, scrambling up the opposite bank, and facing the crocodiles that lurk in the depths.
The northern Serengeti is remote and less visited than other parts of the park. The lodges and camps here are small and exclusive, offering a wilderness experience that is increasingly rare. This is the place to be if you want to witness the river crossings without the crowds.
Beyond the migration, the northern Serengeti is home to large herds of elephants, giraffes, and buffalo. The landscapes are stunning, with the hills offering panoramic views of the plains below.
The Southern Plains
The Calving Season
The southern plains of the Serengeti are a vast, open landscape of short grass plains. This is the site of the calving season from January to March, when more than 8,000 wildebeest calves are born each day. The plains are dotted with newborns, their legs still wobbly, their mothers close by.
The calving season is the best time to see predators in action. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards gather in large numbers, drawn by the abundance of easy prey. The hunting attempts are frequent, and the drama of life and death plays out daily on the plains.
The southern plains are also home to large herds of zebra and gazelle. The landscapes are stunning, with the horizon stretching to infinity. This is the Serengeti of the imagination, the endless plains that have captured the hearts of travelers for generations.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
A Bird’s Eye View of the Serengeti
There are few experiences on earth that compare to a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at sunrise. You rise before dawn, traveling to the launch site as the first hints of light appear on the horizon. The balloon is inflated, the burners roaring as the envelope fills with hot air. Then, almost imperceptibly, you lift off.
The ground falls away. The silence is profound. And below you, the Serengeti unfolds in all its glory. From this vantage point, you see the landscape as the birds see it. The herds of wildebeest stretch to the horizon. The rivers wind like silver ribbons through the grass. The animals, unaware of your presence, go about their daily lives undisturbed.
The flight lasts about an hour, drifting with the wind. Then you descend gently, landing somewhere in the bush. The crew meets you with a champagne breakfast, served in the middle of the wilderness. It is a celebration, a moment of pure joy, and a memory that will stay with you forever.
Hot air balloon safaris are available in the Serengeti from several launch sites. They are popular, so advance booking is essential.
Where to Stay
Accommodations in and Around the Serengeti
The Serengeti offers a range of accommodations, from mobile tented camps that move with the migration to luxurious permanent lodges with stunning views. Choosing the right accommodation can enhance your experience of the park.
Luxury Lodges and Camps: For those seeking the ultimate in comfort, the Serengeti offers several world class properties. Singita Grumeti is a collection of luxury lodges and camps in the western corridor, offering exceptional service, stunning design, and prime wildlife viewing. &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas is a mobile camp that moves with the migration, placing you in the heart of the action. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, located in the Seronera Valley, offers luxury accommodations with a swimming pool, spa, and exceptional service. Asilia Africa’s camps, including Namiri Plains and Sayari Camp, offer luxury tented accommodations with prime locations for wildlife viewing.
Mid Range Lodges and Camps: There are many excellent mid range options in the Serengeti. Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, located in the Seronera Valley, offers comfortable accommodations with stunning views. Serengeti Simba Lodge offers stone cottages with modern amenities. Kati Kati Tented Camp is a mobile camp that moves with the migration, offering comfortable tented accommodations with en suite facilities.
Budget Accommodations: For travelers on a tighter budget, the Serengeti offers basic campsites. The public campsites in the park offer basic facilities and stunning locations. There are also budget lodges and camps outside the park that offer simple accommodations.
Our travel designers will help you choose the accommodation that best matches your preferences and budget.
When to Visit the Serengeti
The Serengeti can be visited year round, but the experience varies by season. The dry seasons from June to October offer the best wildlife viewing, with the animals gathering around the water sources. This is also the time of the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. The calving season from January to March offers spectacular predator action on the southern plains. The green seasons from November to May bring lower prices, fewer crowds, and stunning green landscapes.
No matter when you visit, the Serengeti is always spectacular. Our guides will take you to the best locations for the time of your visit, ensuring that you see the wildlife and landscapes that make this park famous.
Why Book Your Serengeti Safari With Africa Exotic Safaris
We are a locally owned company with deep roots in East Africa. We have been guiding travelers to the Serengeti for more than a decade. We know the park, the wildlife, and the guides. We have personal relationships with the best lodges, the most experienced rangers, and the most knowledgeable guides. We design itineraries that balance game drives with relaxation, adventure with comfort. And we are available 24/7 while you travel, because we know that peace of mind is the foundation of a great safari.
When you book with us, you are not just a customer. You are a guest. You are a partner in conservation. And you are family.
Ready to Discover the Endless Plains?
Your Serengeti Adventure Awaits
You have read about the endless plains and the thundering herds. You have imagined yourself watching a river crossing or floating over the savannah in a hot air balloon. You have dreamed of a place where the wild still roams free. Now it is time to turn those dreams into reality. The Serengeti is waiting for you. The herds are calling. The adventure awaits.
Let us take you to the endless plains of the Serengeti.
BOOK YOUR SERENGETI SAFARI TODAY
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