Tanzania's most celebrated safari destination — 14,750 sq km of endless plains, home to the Great Wildebeest Migration and Africa's largest lion population.
Serengeti National Park is the world's most celebrated safari destination — a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering roughly 14,750 square kilometres of endless golden savanna in northern Tanzania. Established in 1951 and inscribed by UNESCO in 1981, it is Tanzania's oldest national park and the stage for the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth, including the Big Five and Africa's largest lion population.
The Serengeti is best known for the Great Migration — the largest overland animal movement on the planet. Over a million wildebeest, alongside hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, follow an unbroken circular route in search of fresh grazing and water, moving between the Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara.
Calving season. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born on the short-grass plains within a few short weeks, drawing intense predator activity.
The herds move north-west toward the Grumeti River, where crossings begin — with giant Nile crocodiles waiting in the shallows.
The most dramatic Mara River crossings take place as the migration pushes north, often into Kenya, before turning back.
The herds return south through the central plains, following the first rains back toward Ndutu.
Insider tip: the migration follows the rains, not the calendar — exact timing and location shift from year to year, so a good guide who tracks the herds in real time matters more than any fixed date.
The park is vast, and where you stay shapes the safari you have:
The most reliable year-round wildlife viewing, with the highest concentration of big cats in the park.
Grumeti River crossings, resident hippo pods, and a quieter, more remote safari feel.
Rolling hills and the Mara River crossings — home to the region's luxury tented camps during crossing season.
Endless open grassland that fills with massive herds during the January–March calving months.
Beyond the migration, the Serengeti holds the Big Five, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, and over 500 recorded bird species. Classic morning and evening 4x4 game drives are the core of any Serengeti safari, complemented by hot air balloon safaris at sunrise, walking safaris in designated wilderness zones, and cultural visits to nearby Maasai communities.
By air: fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, then connect via a short bush flight to an airstrip inside the park (Seronera, Kogatende, and others depending on where you're staying). By road: a 7–8 hour drive from Arusha, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Serengeti National Park is managed by TANAPA, and entry fees are charged per person for a 24-hour period, with a separate transit fee if you pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area en route. Rates vary by season and residency status and are reviewed periodically by the Tanzanian government — we always confirm the current published rates when we build your itinerary, so you'll see an exact, up-to-date figure in your quote rather than an estimate.
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