Serengeti National Park – Tanzania’s Ultimate Wildlife Safari Destination
Discover the Legendary Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s oldest, most celebrated, and most iconic national park. Renowned worldwide for its incredible wildlife, endless golden plains, and the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti offers one of the greatest safari experiences on Earth.
Established as a national park in 1952, the park’s boundaries were expanded in 1959 to cover 14,763 square kilometres (5,700 square miles). Today, it forms the heart of the greater Serengeti Ecosystem, an extraordinary wilderness spanning approximately 35,000 square kilometres across northern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya.
Recognized for its exceptional ecological value, Serengeti National Park is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, protecting one of the planet’s last remaining intact wildlife ecosystems.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned safari enthusiast, the Serengeti delivers unforgettable encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife in landscapes that remain virtually unchanged for thousands of years.
Why Visit Serengeti National Park?
The Serengeti is famous for hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration, the largest overland wildlife migration on Earth. Every year, more than 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, travel across the plains in search of fresh grazing, creating one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles.
Beyond the migration, the Serengeti boasts one of Africa’s richest concentrations of wildlife. Vast grasslands, riverine forests, acacia woodlands, rocky kopjes, and seasonal wetlands support an astonishing diversity of species throughout the year.
Unlike many wildlife destinations, the Serengeti offers exceptional game viewing during every season, making it one of Tanzania’s premier year-round safari destinations.
Wildlife in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including:
- The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino)
- Over 1.5 million wildebeest
- More than 250,000 plains zebras
- Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles
- Cape eland
- Giraffes
- Cheetahs
- Leopards
- Spotted hyenas
- African wild dogs (increasingly seen following conservation efforts)
- Hippos and Nile crocodiles
- More than 500 species of birds
The park supports Africa’s largest population of lions and one of the continent’s healthiest populations of cheetahs and hyenas.
Conservation programs have also successfully reintroduced the endangered Eastern black rhinoceros, while African wild dogs are gradually re-establishing themselves within parts of the greater Serengeti ecosystem.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
The annual Great Migration is the Serengeti’s most famous attraction and one of the world’s greatest natural events.
Each year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow seasonal rainfall in a continuous circular journey between the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Along the way, they face dramatic river crossings, predators, and changing landscapes.
Highlights include:
- Calving season in the southern Serengeti (January–March)
- Grumeti River crossings (May–July)
- Mara River crossings in northern Serengeti (July–October)
- Return migration through the eastern plains (November–December)
No two years are exactly alike, making every safari unique.
Top Things to Do in Serengeti National Park
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of unforgettable safari experiences, including:
- Classic game drives
- Witnessing the Great Migration
- Hot air balloon safaris over the Serengeti plains
- Guided walking safaris in designated areas
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife photography
- Cultural visits to nearby Maasai communities
- Sundowner experiences in the African wilderness
A sunrise hot air balloon safari followed by a champagne bush breakfast is considered one of Tanzania’s most memorable wildlife experiences.
Accommodation in Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti offers accommodation for every style of traveller and budget.
Luxury Lodges
World-class safari lodges featuring exceptional service, gourmet dining, spa facilities, and spectacular wildlife views.
Luxury Tented Camps
Elegant tented camps provide an authentic safari atmosphere while offering modern comforts and outstanding hospitality.
Mobile Migration Camps
These seasonal camps relocate throughout the year to follow the Great Migration, offering guests front-row seats to the action.
Permanent Tented Camps
Comfortable camps located in prime wildlife areas with excellent access to year-round game viewing.
Public Campsites
Budget-friendly campsites with shared facilities, including water, toilets, and cooking areas.
Special Campsites
Private campsites without permanent infrastructure, reserved exclusively through Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
Student Hostel and Rest House
The park also operates simple accommodation suitable for educational groups and independent travellers.
Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is a year-round safari destination, with each season offering unique wildlife experiences.
January – March
- Calving season
- Predator action
- Excellent photography
April – June
- Green landscapes
- Fewer visitors
- Beginning of migration movement
July – October
- Peak safari season
- Mara River crossings
- Outstanding wildlife viewing
November – December
- Return migration
- Beautiful scenery
- Excellent birdwatching
No matter when you visit, abundant wildlife can be seen throughout the park.
Getting to Serengeti National Park
By Air
Daily scheduled and charter flights connect the Serengeti with Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and other major safari destinations.
Major airstrips include:
- Seronera
- Kogatende
- Lamai
- Kirawira
- Kusini
- Lobo
Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the park.
By Road
The Serengeti is accessible by road from Arusha via Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Official park entry gates include:
- Naabi Hill Gate
- Ikoma Gate
- Ndabaka Gate
- Klein’s Gate
- Handajega Gate
- Lamai Gate
- Kusini
- Kirawira
Road safaris allow visitors to combine the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and other destinations along Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit.
History of Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti has fascinated explorers and conservationists for more than a century.
The first European known to travel through the region was the German explorer and naturalist Dr. Oscar Baumann, who visited the area in 1892 while travelling toward present-day Burundi on behalf of the German Anti-Slavery Committee. Baumann became one of the first Europeans to document both the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Highlands.
During the late 1890s, German colonial authorities established Fort Ikoma, situated near the Grumeti River, to strengthen administrative control over northern German East Africa. The fort later served as both a military outpost and administrative centre until it was captured by British forces during World War I in 1917.
Today, the remains of Fort Ikoma offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the region’s colonial history and can be visited as part of selected safari itineraries.
Combine Serengeti with Other Tanzania Safari Destinations
While Serengeti National Park is often the highlight of any Tanzania safari, combining it with other remarkable destinations creates an even richer travel experience.
Popular safari combinations include:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Tarangire National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Arusha National Park
- Lake Victoria
- Mahale Mountains National Park
- Katavi National Park
- Ruaha National Park
- Zanzibar Island
Our carefully designed safari packages, including 8 Days Luxury Tanzania Safari, 10 Days Luxury Tanzania Safari, and tailor-made itineraries, allow you to experience the very best of Tanzania’s wildlife, landscapes, culture, and beaches.
Plan Your Serengeti Safari
A safari to Serengeti National Park is more than just a holiday—it’s an unforgettable journey into one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Whether you’re dreaming of witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration, photographing the Big Five, soaring over the plains in a hot air balloon, or simply soaking in the breathtaking African landscapes, the Serengeti promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Contact WATU Safaris today to start planning your tailor-made Serengeti safari adventure.
