Serengeti National Park
Established in 1952 in Tanzania, Serengeti National Park home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth – the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The resident population of lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is also impressive. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps. The park covers 5,700 sq miles, (14,763 sq km), it’s larger than Connecticut, with at most a couple hundred vehicles driving around.
The Serengeti National Park can be divided into 3 sections. The popular southern/central part (Seronera Valley), is what the Maasai called the “serengit”, the land of endless plains. It’s classic savannah, dotted with acacias and filled with wildlife. The western corridor is marked by the Grumeti River, and has more forests and dense bush. The north, Lobo area, meets up with Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, is the least visited section.
Two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves have been established within the 30,000 km² region. It’s unique ecosystem has inspired writers from Ernest Hemingway to Peter Mattheissen, filmakers like Hugo von Lawick and Alan Root as well as numerous photographers and scientists
The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. The essential features of climate, vegetation and fauna have barely changed in the past million years. Early man himself made an appearance in Olduvai Gorge about two million years ago. Some patterns of life, death, adaptation and migration are as old as the hills themselves.
It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back.
Accomodation : Lodges near Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park safari guide: planning facts, activities and tips
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania should answer the main questions travellers compare before booking: what to see, when to go, how access works, where the park fits in a safari route, and which official rules or fees need checking before travel.
Top reasons to visit
- Great Migration routes by season
- big-cat sightings
- Seronera and northern Serengeti game drives
- balloon safaris where available
Best time and suggested stay
Dry months are usually easier for road conditions, wildlife viewing and transfers. A focused visit normally needs at least one to two nights, while longer stays work better when the park is combined with nearby reserves, cultural visits or cross-country safari routes.
Fees, permits and official rules
Park entry fees, permits and activity rules can change. Check the latest information from Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) before confirming a trip. Laba Africa Expeditions can include the relevant park costs in a private safari quote.
How to include this park in a safari
Serengeti National Park works best when the route is planned around drive times, lodge locations, permit availability and the season. Laba Africa can arrange private guided safaris, self-drive support where suitable, lodge bookings and multi-park itineraries.
Plan the next step: Kenya and Tanzania safari tours or Kenya and Tanzania safari enquiry.
Quick FAQ
Is this park good for first-time visitors?
Yes, when the route is planned around realistic distances, permits, road conditions and the traveller’s preferred pace.
Should I book in advance?
Yes. Lodges, specialist guides, gorilla or chimpanzee permits, and limited activities should be confirmed before travel.