Serengeti Seasons

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is the most famous national park on the planet renowned for the Great Wildebeest Migration and enormous concentration of wildlife including the Big Five – lion, leopards, cape buffaloes, rhinos and elephants.

Only on a Serengeti Safari is when you will see why it is one of the most visited safari parks in the world, Serengeti never ceases to amaze visitors with its beautiful endless plains, stark vegetation and an abundance of magnificent wildlife. Also, Serengeti’s location is convenient for visiting other amazing Tanzania Parks and attractions for travelers seeking for a well-rounded Tanzania adventure experience.

With all the reasons mentions above, it is no wonder Serengeti remains one of the best places to visit in the world, year after year.

Before your booking your Serengeti Tour, it is important to known the Serengeti Seasons and also know what you may actually see on your safari as it largely depends on when you choose to visit. This blog the question of “What is the best time to visit the Serengeti”?

It is possible to visit the Serengeti all year round, but seeing as it is a vast ecosystem covering an area of 30000 square kilometers, the when and where typically depends on your personal interests

• If you want to witness the famous river crossings of the Wildebeest Migration? Then you are heading to the northern part of the Serengeti between July and September.
• If you want to arrive in time when there are fewer crowds and benefit from special discounts? Then April or May are your best bets.

January to February

These two months mark the beginning of the green season of Tanzania, the rolling plains of the Serengeti feature a beautiful shade of green with minimal dust levels and good wildlife viewing opportunities, especially around the Ndutu Plains in the South of Serengeti. This period is also superb for bird watching activities as the park is usually teeming with migratory birds.

In January and February, the famous Great Migration is usually concentrated in massive numbers on the Serengeti Plains and is also the time when many animals are in their birthing coinciding with the green season.

March to April

March and April mark the end of the green season and the beginning of the off-peak season, the weather is ok although the occasional thundershower may impede your game viewing experience. Towards the end of April, the landscape turns a lush green allowing for many photographic opportunities. The Serengeti starts to see fewer visitors as the rainfall becomes less occasional. March through April remains one of the best times to get off the beaten path and explore the remote corners of the Serengeti National Park.

May

From late April to the second half of May, rainfall tends to be at high levels. Camps and lodges are not as busy as you will likely receive a lot of discounts. The scenery is green and blooming, although wildlife viewing might be a bit limited due to the rains making some of the routes unpassable, albeit for a few hours.

If you are visiting the park with intentions of following the Great Migration, then head to the Central and Western regions of the Serengeti where you can see the herds on their way towards the Masai Mara in Kenya.

June, July and August

June marks the beginning of the dry season and the peak season in Serengeti, it is also the start of the northward migration season in the Serengeti. Dry conditions prevail but there might still be the occasional afternoon or evening rain shower which can be a welcome relief.

Wildlife viewing starts to pick up by mid-June through July and August as resident animals become concentrated around the remaining sources of water in the park. Also, July sees the Great Migration making its way north towards the Mara River for the dramatic river crossings into the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.

September and October

By September, you will still be able to see the wildebeests, along with the zebras and gazelles in the northern area of the Serengeti. The famous river crossings along the Mara River are still visible during this period since the migrating herds travel in large batches.

Across other parts of the Serengeti, wildlife viewing opportunities are at their best as the dry season means that the animals tend to gather around the remaining sources of water, which makes them east to spot on game drives and hot air balloon rides.

By October, the plains are dry and the grass is short, but towards the end of the month, you can already feel the change in atmosphere as the dry season comes to an end.

November and December

This period is characterized by short rains that refresh the air and wash away the dust from the dry season. Game viewing is still good despite the rains since these light showers are usually over as quickly as they appear, these rains bring fresh grazing to the south of the Serengeti and signal the return of the migration. The scenery is turning green and the cycle begins all over again.

You should note that this guide is only speculative based on the climate in Tanzania over the past few years, so there might be some overlaps in season and related activities. All year round there is something fascinating to see and experience, so be sure to add Serengeti National Park on your travel itinerary.

Ready to plan your trip to Serengeti, Talk to Us today to get started.