One of the most famous wildlife parks in the world and Tanzania’s star attraction!
You will undoubtedly be enchanted by the vast expanse of the Serengeti, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique and exceptional nature. The park was also crowned “Most Beautiful Park in Africa” in 2021 for the third consecutive year. This 14,763 km² wildlife reserve is home to over than 3 million wild animals and over 500 species of birds.
Thanks to a very diverse ecosystem, the Serengeti has an impressive variety of landscapes, with its endless plains in the south, hilly woodlands in the west, shrubby savannah in the north, and the Kopje regions in the east. The Kopjes are a distinctive feature of the Serengeti landscape and are often called “islands in a sea of grass”. They offer protection from bushfires, hold water in the immediate area, provide a hiding place for animals and a vantage point for predators.
Several rivers flow through the park, including the Mara River that witnesses one of the largest animal migrations in the world each year. More than 1.5 million white-bearded wildebeest and 250,000 zebras take part in this 1000 km journey in search of greener pastures. During their journey, they must cross the most dangerous obstacle of the trip, the Mara River, famous for its huge crocodiles that lie in waiting and anticipation of such easy prey.
Additionally, the Serengeti is also home to the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard – not to mention hyenas, cheetahs, zebras, raptors, and many other species. This abundance of wildlife makes the Serengeti a site not to be missed.
When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park
The landscape changes throughout the year according to the season and the park can be visited at any time. Nonetheless, the best time to see the animals is the dry season, from June to November, when the grass is short.
Another very interesting time of year is during the Great Migration when gigantic herd of wildebeest and zebras move to the grassier plains in the north. Although it begins in February, it is in May and June that it is at its best.
Top highlights
- One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The annual Great Migration of more than 1.5 million wildebeest across the plains of the Serengeti to the Masai Mara.
- One of the best destinations in Africa to spot wildlife, home to all of Africa’s Big Five as well as rarer species.
- Hot air balloon safaris at dawn.
- Stunning, diverse geography and scenery.
- Some of Tanzania’s best luxury camps and lodges.