The true highlight of visiting the Serengeti is witnessing the annual spectacle of the Great Migration. Based on the timing of your visit and the location of the Great Migration our Trip Planners will help determine the best locations to visit to have a chance to experience this natural phenomenon. Each region has its own best time to visit and highlights to reveal.
From July to November, the northern Serengeti is the most likely location to see the migration. Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the Northern Serengeti is a remote African wildlife wonderland. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterized by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife includes a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, and giraffe as well as lion and leopard.
During May, June, and December, you will likely base out of the central Serengeti - The Seronera region is set directly on the Great Migration route and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual event when countless wildebeest flood the area and move across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species.
Finally, from January through March, consider visiting Ndutu in the Southern Serengeti. Set in the Arusha Region, Ndutu is situated in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within the magnificent Serengeti. The surrounding landscapes are covered in sweeping grasslands which provide the perfect habitat for the migratory route for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra. Explore the forest around Lake Ndutu, spotting an array of wildlife, and visiting the fascinating archaeological site at the Olduvai Gorge. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on a game drive to view the spectacular herds of the annual Great Migration, enjoy a scenic hot air balloon ride over the plains, or take a guided tour with the local Maasai and learn about culture and traditions. Other commonly spotted species include leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a variety of prolific birdlife.
