What is the Serengeti famous for?

The Serengeti is world-famous for the Great Migration — over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle moving across the plains annually. It is also home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

When is the best time to visit the Serengeti?

July to October for the dramatic Mara River crossings of the Great Migration. January to March for calving season in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains. The dry season (June–October) offers the best general wildlife viewing.

How do I get to Serengeti National Park?

The most common route is a short domestic flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport to one of the Serengeti's airstrips (Seronera, Kogatende, or Ndutu). Overland drives from Arusha take approximately 8–9 hours.

Serengeti National Park Safari | Sokwe Africa Safaris

The Eighth Wonder

Africa's Greatest Wildlife Theatre

Covering 14,750 square kilometres of endless golden plains, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest and most celebrated wilderness. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth — over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, sweeping in an eternal circle across the ecosystem.

Beyond the Migration, the Serengeti shelters extraordinary concentrations of lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and buffalo. The iconic kopjes — ancient granite outcrops scattered across the plains — are favoured resting spots for big cats and offer dramatic wildlife viewing unlike anywhere else in Africa.

Sokwe Africa Safaris designs bespoke Serengeti expeditions that position you in the right place at the right time — whether that means a private game drive at dawn, a fly-camp under the stars, or a hot-air balloon drifting silently above the migration.

Plan Your Serengeti Safari View Safari Packages

Dawn on the Serengeti — giraffe silhouette at sunrise, Sokwe Africa Safaris

14,750 km² of Protected
Wilderness

Why Visit

Serengeti Highlights

The Great Migration

Witness over 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebra in their annual journey — one of nature's most spectacular events.

The Big Five

Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino all roam the Serengeti. Resident prides of lion are particularly prolific on the plains.

Balloon Safaris

Drift silently above the golden savannah at sunrise in a hot-air balloon — a truly unforgettable perspective on the wild.

Luxury Camps

Sleep under canvas in some of Africa's finest mobile and permanent camps, positioned deep in the heart of prime game territory.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit the Serengeti

The Serengeti rewards visitors year-round, but the timing of your safari determines what you'll witness. The Great Migration follows a predictable annual pattern, moving from the southern short-grass plains in calving season (January–February), north towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers for dramatic river crossings (June–October), before returning south again.

Our experts will match your travel dates to the most compelling wildlife events and ensure you're in the right location at exactly the right time.

Talk to an Expert

Calving Season

January – February

Southern plains; 500,000+ calves born. Exceptional predator activity. Short rains possible.

Long Rains

March – May

Lush green landscapes. Fewer tourists. Migration heads north. Birding at its peak.

Peak Dry Season

June – October

Dramatic Mara River crossings. Best overall game viewing. Ideal weather. Most popular period.

Short Rains

November – December

Migration returns south. Beautiful light for photography. Quieter camps and lodges.