Introduction to Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is arguably the most famous wildlife sanctuary on Earth. Spanning 14,763 km² in northern Tanzania, it is home to the planet's largest terrestrial mammal migration, the most concentrated predator population in Africa, and landscapes so vast and untouched they feel prehistoric. If you do one safari in your lifetime, make it the Serengeti.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
Every year, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 400,000 gazelle move in a clockwise loop through the Serengeti and across into Kenya's Masai Mara. The migration is a year-round event — the animals never stop moving. The most dramatic moments are the Mara River crossings (July–September) in the north, where crocodiles lie in wait, and the calving season (January–February) in the southern Serengeti near Ndutu, where thousands of wildebeest give birth within weeks of each other.
Serengeti Wildlife Beyond the Migration
Even without the migration, the Serengeti delivers extraordinary game viewing. The park has the highest density of lions in Africa, with over 3,000 individuals. Leopards are regularly spotted draped over acacia branches in the Seronera Valley. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains. Elephants, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, and hundreds of bird species complete the picture.
Best Regions of the Serengeti
The Serengeti is divided into distinct zones. The Central Serengeti (Seronera) offers year-round wildlife and is the most accessible. The Southern Serengeti (Ndutu) is best January–March for calving. The Northern Serengeti (Lamai/Kogatende) is prime July–October for river crossings. The Western Corridor offers hippo pools and Grumeti River crossings in June.
Accommodation in the Serengeti
Options range from public campsites (from $35/night) to luxury tented camps costing $1,500+/night. Mid-range lodges and tented camps ($200–$500/night) offer excellent value, with en-suite tents, good food, and experienced guides. Staying inside the park allows for early morning game drives before day visitors arrive.
How to Get to Serengeti
Most visitors fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, then drive or fly to the Serengeti. A 4WD road trip from Arusha through the Ngorongoro Crater rim takes approximately 7–8 hours. Charter flights from Arusha to Serengeti airstrips take about 1 hour and are highly recommended for longer stays.