Best Time to Visit the Serengeti

The iconic Serengeti is one of the must visit Tanzania safari destination, one of the great advantages of visiting this spectacular park is that you can witness spectacular wildlife all-year-round without any limitations, regardless of the season.

Covering a size of 14,763 square kilometers, Serengeti National Park is one of the most renowned safari destinations in the world with good reason – home to the wildebeest migration as well as the African elephants, lions, leopards, zebras among others.

When planning a visit to Serengeti National Park, one of the most significant considerations is figuring out the best time to go. This decision is influenced by various factors including the weather, budget and personal preferences which are discussed in detail below.

Most visitors to Rwanda want to see the spectacular Serengeti Wildebeest Migration when planning their safari to Tanzania.

Luckily, since this is an annual cycle, you can witness the migration any time of the year in the park, however, at different times of the year, you will see different parts of the cycle.

This season starts around December, the countless herds gather in Southern Serengeti National Park and around an area called Ndutu Plains/ Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

This is the peak of the calving season in Serengeti between January and March, attracting numerous predators like lions and hyenas due to the scattering of young wildebeest in the southern area of the park.

Around 500,000 calves are born during February, you can see great calving sightings around this time, although there might be some rain.

After calving, they will start to head North since the South is beginning to dry out before the rainy season start meaning the plains are less luscious. Any of the Ngorongoro Crater lodges are great to stay at during this time.

From May to July is when the migration of herds head to North Serengeti and into the Western corridor. It is also mating season.

Visiting in June is popular as it is entering the dry season and you can see the start of the river crossings.

Between July to October is when the Mara River Crossings happen, the dramatic event which are often bucket list safari items.

By November, they will return South to cross the river again into Serengeti and the process start all over again.

January – February

If you are looking to avoid the crowds which are found during the high season, then January and February are great months to visit the southern part of Serengeti National Park, particularly the Ndutu area.

Around this time, the Serengeti Plains are still lush, and it’s calving season, which makes it an attractive time for photographers to take a safari in Ndutu or Ngorongoro Crater. You can also see migratory birds at this time.

January can be expensive for safari lodges with prices starting to fall around February to March before the rains begin again. As the plains dry out, it can be easier to spot lions during this time and road conditions to tend to be better.

Note: Tanzania has some of its hottest weather during January and February, so make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen.

March – May

This is the beginning of the wet season in Serengeti, the plains will grow to be lush and crowds will be less as you enter the low season, allowing you to have a more budget- friendly safari.

Visiting at the beginning of March can be a very rewards time as before the rains, there is plenty of opportunity to see wildlife around watering holes where they will gather if the plains are dry.

It is also a wonderful time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater which can become very busy in peak times

April is the peak rainy seasons, the roads can become difficult due to the heavy rains, and some lodges also close due to the lack of visitors making it a peaceful time to explore the off-beat tracks around south and central Serengeti.

June

Once the long rains start to reduce, this is known as the shoulder season in Serengeti. It is a photographer’s dream with luscious green plains and the wildebeest begin moving north.

As the herds start to move North staying in Southern/Central Serengeti in a region called Seronera during this time is recommended, although some roads might be impassable with the heavy rains. In June, the majority of herds will be at the Grumeti River, which whilst not as dramatic as the Mara River crossings, is still a spectacle of wildebeest battling through the crocodile-infested waters in hunt of fresh pastures.

If you are lucky, you will spot some leopards at the Seronera River where their population is dense.

July – August

This is the peak season in Serengeti and perhaps the ultimate period to travel to Northern Serengeti and witness the migration crossing the Mara River, wildlife viewing is optimal thanks to the rains drying up, making road conditions better.

Staying the Western corridor is ideal during this time of the year.

The weather is dry and pleasant, but it can get chilly at night, so bring a jacket.

Since this is a peak season, prices will also be the most expensive, but it can be a great time to combine your safari with the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar or Masai Mara National Reserve.

September – October

As the wildebeests start to cross the Mara River again and return south, this is also an excellent time to visit Serengeti particularly the north if you plan to see the migration.

Since the weather is still dry, you could participate in activities such as hot air balloon rides, a great way to see the plains, wildlife and migration from above as well as other animals such as zebras and gazelles.

November – December

With only occasional showers in the afternoon and hot temperatures during the day, visit the Serengeti during November and December is ideal.

Serengeti is lush and green, making it perfect for wildlife viewing and photo opportunities, plus it is low season. So the prices will start to fall, although expect peak prices during Christmas and New Year.

Also, this is a pivotal time to view migratory bird species and famous birds such as the Secretary bird and Kori bustard due to it being the start of the breeding season till April.

When is peak season?

The peak season in Serengeti is from June – September coinciding with the dry season, the bush thins out making wildlife easier to spot. The days are sunny and warm, and the river crossing migration also happens during this time from Western to Northern Serengeti.

The disadvantages of traveling in this period is that it is the most crowded time to visit Serengeti National Park, with peak prices during July and August.

When is the low season?

The low season is around April to May and October and November since these are the rainy seasons, still, they are less crowded, making it an attractive time to visit if you want a more budget-friendly safari and are okay with getting wet occasionally, temperatures are also more pleasant and cool.

Can you explain the wet and dry seasons?

There are four weather seasons in Tanzania; short rains, dry season, long rains and hot season. The dry period is also known as the “peak season” in Tanzania, this is between June to October.

During the dry season, there are many benefits to going on a wildlife safari in Serengeti, the first being it is easier to spot wildlife since the vegetation is drier, and second, water is sparse, which means wild animals gather around watering holes making them easier to spot. Temperatures during this time are hot, but not as high as the months of January and February.

However, you can enjoy a magnificent wildlife viewing during the rainy season too.