Serengeti · Ngorongoro
3-Day Unforgettable Adventure to Serengeti & Ngorongoro
- 3 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$635per person
View safariNorthern circuit
Serengeti National Park
Endless short-grass plains, granite kopjes and the largest mammal migration on earth. Resident lions, cheetahs and leopards mean there is no bad month here, only different parts of the park to be in.
- Best: Jul–Sep
- 127 safaris
- Park fees in every price
From$635per person
About Serengeti
Why go to Serengeti
Endless short-grass plains, granite kopjes and the largest mammal migration on earth. Resident lions, cheetahs and leopards mean there is no bad month here, only different parts of the park to be in.
The Serengeti covers about 14,750 km² of north-western Tanzania, joined to Kenya’s Masai Mara across the border. Most people picture the central Seronera valley: open plains, rivers lined with fever trees and kopjes where lions rest in the heat. It is also the most reliable place in Tanzania for big cats all year.
The wildebeest and zebra herds move in a loop that follows the rain. From December to March they gather on the southern plains around Ndutu to calve. Around May they head north-west, cross the Grumeti in June and July, and reach the Mara River in the far north from July to October before drifting south again in November. Exact timing changes every year with the rains.
Which part of the park you stay in matters more than the month. We plan your camp or campsite around where the herds are likely to be, and tell you honestly when a road trip will not reach them in the time you have.
What you’ll see
Lion prides on the Seronera kopjes
Cheetah on the open southern plains
Leopards in the sausage trees along the Seronera River
The wildebeest migration and calving (seasonal)
Hippo pools and crocodiles on the Grumeti and Mara rivers
Over 500 bird species
- Best timeAll year: Jan–Mar south (calving), Jul–Oct north (river crossings)
- Time needed2 nights minimum, 3 to see more than one area
- From ArushaAbout 8 hours by road via Ngorongoro, with stops
- By airSeronera (central), Kogatende (north) and Ndutu (south) airstrips
- Our safaris here127, from $635 pp
- RegionNorthern circuit
More about Serengeti
Why the Serengeti
The Great Migration: some two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move across the plains through the year, following the rain to fresh grazing.
Beyond the migration: lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos and over 500 bird species, with rhino in a few protected areas.
More than plains: acacia woodland, granite kopjes and the Grumeti River give each part of the park a different character.
Planning tips
- Best time: June to October is dry and easiest for game viewing; the herds are in different areas at different times of year.
- Where to stay: from public campsites to luxury tented camps, across the park. See our lodges and camps.
- What to do: game drives, a hot-air balloon flight at dawn, a walking safari in some areas, or a visit to a Maasai village outside the park.
- The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with good roads and airstrips for a fly-in.
Seasons
When to go
Calving Jan–Mar around Ndutu · long rains Apr–May · river crossings Jul–Oct in the north. Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
Where it is
Location
Distances, as the crow flies
- Arushaabout 230 km
- Ngorongoroabout 110 km
- Tarangireabout 210 km
- Lake Manyaraabout 160 km
Road distances are longer; driving times are in the facts above.
In pictures
Photo gallery
Lodges and camps
Where to stay
-
Inside Serengeti National Park
Serengeti Matawi Camp
Our usual tented camp in the Serengeti: proper beds and en-suite tents, inside the park.
- Tented camp
- Inside the park
-
Seronera, central Serengeti
Seronera Public Campsite
Sleep in the middle of the Serengeti, in a tent your crew pitches for you.
- Public campsite
- Inside the park
-
Ndutu, southern Serengeti ecosystem
Ang’ata Ndutu
A tented camp on the Ndutu plains, where the wildebeest give birth in the green season.
- Tented camp
- Inside the park
-
Bologonja, northern Serengeti
Ang’ata Migration – Bologonja Camp
A camp in the far north of the Serengeti, within reach of the Mara River crossings.
- Tented camp
- Inside the park
These are the places we use most in this area. See all lodges and camps
Good to know
FAQs
How many days do we need in the Serengeti?
Two nights at the very least, because the drive in takes most of a day. Three nights lets you explore beyond the central area, or follow the herds.
Can we see the migration on a 3-day safari?
Only if the herds happen to be near the central Serengeti or the south on your dates. From July to October they are usually in the far north, which a 3-day road trip cannot reach; a fly-in can.
Is the Serengeti safe to camp in?
Yes. Public campsites are inside the park and patrolled by rangers. Animals sometimes pass through at night, so you stay in your tent after dark.
Safaris that go here
Visit Serengeti with us
All 127 safarisSerengeti · Ngorongoro
3 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro, Mid-Range Lodge (shared)
- 3 days
- Lodges
- Joining group
From$1,100per person
View safariSerengeti · Ngorongoro
3-Day Fly-in Luxury Honeymoon
- 3 days
- Luxury lodges
- Fly-in
From$2,100per person
View safariSerengeti · Ngorongoro
3 Days Safari Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
- 3 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$750per person
View safariTarangire · Serengeti
4-Day Experience Camping and Lodge Safari
- 4 days
- Lodges
- Joining group
From$1,125per person
View safariTarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
4-Day Unforgettable Luxury Private Safari
- 4 days
- Luxury lodges
- Private
From$2,198per person
View safariTarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
4-Day Camping Safari Through Tanzania National Park
- 4 days
- Camping
- Joining group
From$767per person
View safariSerengeti · Ngorongoro
3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Midrange Adventure Safari
- 3 days
- Lodges
- Joining group
From$1,155per person
View safari
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
Keep exploring
Other destinations
All destinations-
-
-
-
Plan your Serengeti trip
Tell us your dates and who’s travelling. We’ll suggest the right route, lodges and price.