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Serengeti National Park

Tanzania is a gem of East Africa and is one of the most-visited parts of the whole continent, which is no surprise considering the offerings it makes to travellers. There is, of course, the Roof of Africa, also known as Mount Kilimanjaro, climbed by some 30,000 people each year. And there is the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania too – the Northern Circuit route offering an insight into Africa’s wildlife and geography like no other.

  • Best Time To Go

    June-February

  • Average Safari Cost

    From $200 to $600 pp/day

  • Highlights

    Great Wildebeest Migration, lots of predators, an authentic African experience and hot-air balloon safaris

Why Visit Serengeti National Park?

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the most famous national parks in the world and is one of the oldest, too. It has been named as an UNESCO World Heritage site and this is no doubt due to its authentic, natural and gorgeous experience of Africa and its wildlife.

It’s not the cheapest park, but Serengeti is undoubtedly worth it. You will be at one with the wild and the circle of life no matter what time of year you go. During February, there is the wildebeest calving, where animals hunt and prey and protect all in front of your very eyes.

Serengeti has the animals you’ve always dreamed of seeing, including cheetahs, buffalos and hyenas, and offers you an insight into the heart of Africa.

Pros And Cons

Pros
  • The annual Great Wildebeest Migration can be seen during late June through to October
  • Huge number animals at the Serengeti available to view
  • The landscape is stunning – valleys, rivers, forests, grassy plains and rocky terrain
  • There is also an opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, or at least see it
Cons
  • The park can get crowded during the months of June and July
  • It is very hot at the optimum viewing time due to it being dry season
  • There are lots of biting insects and a risk of malaria you must take into account when planning your trip

Best Time To Go

We don’t just recommend the best time of year off the top of our heads, we do take into account science and geography. So when we say that the best months to visit are June to February, we mean it because it’s the dry season in Tanzania.

The dry season means vegetation is thinner than at other points during the year, so you can easily track bush and tree wildlife. There are also fewer mosquitoes in the months of June to October, so there’s a reduced risk of malaria. While it’s hot in the afternoon, take warning that Tanzania is consistently cool to cold during the night and early morning, so taking some warm clothing with you is a wise idea.

A minimal amount of rain means the more you gain. You don’t want to miss a thing because of the weather, so it’s better to put up with the heat of Tanzania’s afternoons in the dry season than limit your opportunities.

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Wildlife And Birds

With its many fascinating big cats, massive buffalo herds, regal elephant and gracious giraffe families, Serengeti is the most visited national park in Tanzania.

Experience of Serengeti is unforgettable right from the start. Enter the gate and lose yourself in a majestic landscape of as-if floating grasslands. Its endless animals in this absolutely stunning landscape roam free.

So at the very gate, prepare yourself for an experience, that couldn't be captured even by the cinematographic genius of Planet Earth...

Of course you’ll spot some of the 1.5 million wildebeest if you’re there during the migration and you may also catch the occasional leopard if you’re in the right place at the right time.

List Of Animals
  • Lion
  • Elephant
  • Leopard
  • Hippo
  • Buffalo
  • Hyena
  • Giraffe

Rare animals:

  • Black rhino
  • Wild dog
  • Leopard

Common animals:

  • Elephant
  • Giraffe
  • Hippo
  • Buffalo
  • Zebra
  • Wildebeest
  • Lion
  • Cheetah
  • Hyena
  • Golden jackal
  • Black-backed jackal
  • Gazelle

Birdwatching

The birds at Serengeti are also marvellous. This national park has recorded over 500 bird species, including five types found nowhere else on the planet.

You can see the Fischer’s lovebird, the Rufous-tailed weaver, green-backed woodpecker and the yellow-throated sandgrouse to name but a few as Serengeti is part of Africa’s Endemic Bird Areas, meaning it is a land vitally important for a habitat-based bird conservation strategy, hence why it is one of the best places to bird-watch in all of the African continent. What a wonderful world the Serengeti opens up to any traveller.

Endangered Birds:

  • Long-billed tailorbird
  • Madagascar pond heron
  • Amani sunbird
  • Usambara weaver
  • Lappet-faced vulture
  • Abbott’s starling
  • Banded sunbird
  • Blue swallow
  • Rufous-winged sunbird

Endemic Birds:

  • Ashy starling
  • Fischer’s lovebird
  • Grey-breasted spurfowl
  • Loveridge’s sunbird
  • Pemba green pigeon
  • Usambara eagle owl
  • Kilombero weaver

Getting There And Safety

Flights

If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights to Tanzania

If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights to Tanzania

For more details about getting to Tanzania see our Tanzania Safari - Complete Travel Guide.

Visas

For details about visas see our Tanzania Safari - Complete Travel Guide.

Vaccinations

Please note that malaria risk is high around the year in all areas below 1,800m. To protect yourself you should avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeve tops and long trousers especially in the evenings, using insect repellents and, when required, sleeping under a mosquito net.

For more details about vaccinations see our Tanzania Safari - Complete Travel Guide.

Drinking Water
Tap water is not considered safe in Tanzania, so it would be advisable to always use bottled water or bring water sanitation tablets with you. These will come in handy for using water to brush your teeth.
Travel Insurance

Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all safaris in Tanzania. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.

Check the World Nomads’ travel insurance calculator to see the cost of the safari trip cover.

What To Pack

You should pack clothes suitable for both hot and cold weather as days can be very hot followed by very cold nights. Your clothes should be in neutral tones, not bright colours. Other items to pack include: insect repellent, camera, torch, binoculars, sunglasses and sun block.

For more details on what to pack see our Safari Packing List.