The Serengeti is Tanzania's largest and most famous national park: about 14,000 square kilometers of open grass plain, acacia woodland and granite kopjes in the north of the country. It is the stage for the Great Migration, close to two million wildebeest and zebra moving in a year-round loop, and even outside the migration it has some of the highest densities of lion, cheetah and leopard in Africa. Plan at least two nights in the park; it is a full day's drive from Arusha, or about an hour by light aircraft.
Last reviewed 9 November 2026
When to visit the Serengeti
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December – March | The herds graze the southern short-grass plains around Ndutu. Calving peaks in February, with around half a million calves born in a few weeks, and the predators follow. |
| April – May | The long rains. The herds start moving north-west, the park is green and quiet, and some camps close. |
| June – July | The migration crosses the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River, where large crocodiles wait. |
| July – October | The herds reach the far north and cross the Mara River into Kenya and back. The most dramatic crossings, and the busiest season. |
| November | The short rains return and the herds stream south again towards the plains where the year began. |
Wildlife you can expect
Getting there
Most safaris drive in from Arusha through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at the crater on the way in or out. To save the long drive, scheduled light aircraft fly from Arusha to airstrips inside the park, including Seronera in the centre.
How long to stay
Two nights is the minimum to see more than one area of the park; three lets you follow the herds or explore the quieter north. Most of our northern-circuit safaris combine the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
Questions travelers ask
When is the best time to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti?
January to March for the calving season on the southern plains around Ndutu, and July to September for the Mara River crossings in the far north. The herds are somewhere in the Serengeti ecosystem all year, so there is no bad month, only different areas.
How many days do you need in the Serengeti?
At least two nights, ideally three. The park is large, and the drive in from Arusha takes most of a day.
Can you see the Big Five in the Serengeti?
Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are common. Rhino are very rare in the Serengeti, so most visitors complete the Big Five in the nearby Ngorongoro Crater.
Is the Serengeti in Tanzania or Kenya?
Serengeti National Park is in Tanzania. The same ecosystem continues north across the border as Kenya's Maasai Mara, and the migrating herds move between the two.
Safaris that visit the Serengeti
3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari
4-Day Tanzania Camping Safari
5-Day Tanzania Camping Safari
5-Day Budget Safari Adventure
5-Day Tanzania Midrange Safari
