Serengeti National Park
Home to the Great Migration and Africa's largest lion population, Serengeti National Park is the definitive safari on Tanzania's Northern Circuit — endless plains stretching as far as the eye can see.
Home to the Great Migration and Africa's largest lion population, Serengeti National Park is the definitive safari on Tanzania's Northern Circuit — endless plains stretching as far as the eye can see.
Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's most famous safari destination, home to the Great Migration and a highlight of many Northern Circuit itineraries, set in the country's far north roughly 325 km (about 8 hours by road, or a short scheduled flight) from Arusha. Established in 1940 and covering 14,763 km² — one of the largest protected ecosystems in Africa — the park takes its name from the Maasai word for “endless plains,” and few places live up to a name so literally. Four distinct areas shape the park: the treeless southern plains around Ndutu, the riverine forests of the Western Corridor, the wooded north bordering Kenya's Maasai Mara, and the wildlife-rich Seronera Valley at its heart. Our 7-day From Baobabs to the Serengeti itinerary focuses on Central Serengeti's Seronera Valley, prized for exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year.
The Serengeti's scenery shifts dramatically across its three regions. In the south, short-grass plains stretch to the horizon around Ndutu, broken only by rocky granite outcrops called kopjes — Simba Kopje, one of the most famous, is widely credited as an inspiration for Pride Rock in Disney's The Lion King. The Western Corridor follows the Grumeti River through denser riverine forest, while the north's rolling, wooded hills run along the Mara River as it nears the Kenyan border. At its heart, the Seronera Valley combines rivers, swamps, and open grassland, making it one of the most reliably scenic and wildlife-dense stretches of the entire park.
The Serengeti runs warm year-round, with the clearest, coolest conditions during the dry season. Expect dry-season days around 26°C (79°F), dropping to a brisk 14°C (57°F) at night — cold fronts between June and September can occasionally push early mornings close to freezing, so pack warm layers for game drives. Through the wetter months, days edge up slightly to around 27°C (81°F) with nights around 15°C (59°F).
The Great Migration draws most travelers to Serengeti National Park, but the list of things to do here goes well beyond river crossings and game drives — ballooning, kopje walks, and Maasai cultural visits all round it out.
Unlike parks that empty out for months at a time, Serengeti National Park rewards a visit in almost any season — the question is less whether to go than which part of the Great Migration you want to see. June to October and January to February are generally considered the best time to visit Serengeti National Park, for the dry season's easy game viewing and the Ndutu Plains' calving season respectively.
Few places on Earth pack in wildlife quite like the Serengeti does. The Great Migration is the headline act, but the park's resident population — led by Africa's largest concentration of lions — is just as remarkable, migration season or not.
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Places to stay around Serengeti National Park:
Set unfenced in the heart of the Serengeti, Thorn Tree Camp puts guests directly in the wildlife's path — lions, elephants, and wildebeest are regularly spotted passing right by the tents. Its canvas tents, arranged around a central dining and lounge tent, come with en-suite bathrooms and solar power, and guests consistently praise the well-equipped rooms and friendly staff.
Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the plains of the Central Serengeti, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge pairs spacious safari tents with a swimming pool and an elevated dining deck for sundowner views. It offers a genuinely comfortable, well-appointed stay in one of the park's most scenic settings, with easy access to the Seronera Valley's year-round game viewing.
Perched on Nyamuma Hills with sweeping views across the plains, Meliá Serengeti Lodge is a 50-room contemporary property built around an infinity pool, spa, and multiple dining venues. One of the most highly reviewed properties in the entire Serengeti, it draws consistent praise for its breathtaking views, attentive service, and excellent food.
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