Open plains
Follow the changing patterns of grazing herds across an expansive landscape.
Plains & migration · Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
Wide horizons, rocky outcrops and moving herds. Discover a landscape whose rhythm changes with rain, grazing and the seasons.
- Location
- Northern Tanzania
- Landscape
- Grasslands, woodland & kopjes
- Travel interests
- Migration & wildlife observation
Get to know the place
The plains, and everything between them
In northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park protects grasslands, woodland and rock formations known as kopjes. Its character lies in the contrast between those habitats: open ground for grazing herds, shade along watercourses and lookout points among the rocks.
The Great Migration is a movement through the wider Serengeti ecosystem, rather than a single event at one viewpoint. Read a route in relation to your travel month and the area it visits, while leaving room for the unexpected.
The character of the destination
What makes Serengeti distinctive
Rocky kopjes
Granite outcrops add texture to the plains and shelter for wildlife.
Migration landscapes
Different parts of the ecosystem matter at different stages of the herds' journey.
Wildlife & nature
An ecosystem in motion
Wildebeest and zebra share this landscape with predators, elephants and varied birdlife. Patient observation reveals the relationships between habitat, water and animal movement.
- Grazing herds and their seasonal movements
- Big cats across plains and woodland habitats
- Birdlife from large ground birds to raptors
Place & season
Best time to visit Serengeti
Choose the area of the Serengeti as carefully as the month. Rainfall and grazing conditions influence where the herds move.
Seasonal patterns are guidance. Weather, wildlife movements and local conditions can change.
Explore the Safari seasonal guideJune–October
Generally drier conditions
Dry-season wildlife observation can be rewarding; northern migration interests need a route that actually visits that area.
January–March
Southern migration interests
The southern ecosystem is associated with calving-season travel. The timing and concentration of animals vary.
November–May
Greener landscapes
Rain changes the scenery and road conditions. Consider the daily route rather than expecting one fixed migration calendar.
Ways to explore this place
Experiences in Serengeti
Game drives
Explore different habitats and allow time for wildlife behaviour, rather than only a species checklist.
Explore this interest: Game drivesMigration-focused journeys
Compare published routes for calving, western-corridor and northern Serengeti interests.
Explore this interest: Migration-focused journeysBalloon safari interests
The existing balloon guide explains this aerial perspective; confirm the operating location and arrangements for your trip.
Explore this interest: Balloon safari interestsThese are destination interests. The itinerary or proposal confirms the activities and arrangements for your journey.
From a place to a journey
Routes through Serengeti
5-Day Tanzania Adventure Camping Safari
Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Explore Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro on this 5-day itinerary.
View itinerary: 5-Day Tanzania Adventure Camping Safari
7-Day Great Migration Calving Season Safari
Ndutu · Central Serengeti · Ngorongoro
A calving-season itinerary through Ndutu, Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
View itinerary: 7-Day Great Migration Calving Season Safari
13-Day Luxury Safari
Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Zanzibar · Stone Town
Northern safari parks, followed by Zanzibar’s beaches and Stone Town.
View itinerary: 13-Day Luxury SafariA closer look
Portraits of Serengeti
Is the Great Migration always in the same part of the Serengeti?
No. Herds move through the wider ecosystem as grazing and water conditions change. Choose an itinerary for the area and time of year you are considering.
What are Serengeti kopjes?
They are rocky outcrops rising above the surrounding plains. They form a distinctive part of the landscape and provide habitat for wildlife.
How should I choose a Serengeti migration itinerary?
Check the actual daily destinations, not just the word migration in its title. The published calving and river-focused routes explore different interests.
Are river crossings guaranteed on a northern Serengeti trip?
No. Wildlife movement is unpredictable. A northern route provides an opportunity to explore that landscape without ensuring a crossing on a particular day.
What else is there to observe beyond the migrating herds?
Resident wildlife, predators, birds and the contrast between woodland, plains and rock formations all contribute to the Serengeti experience.
Can I combine Serengeti with Ngorongoro?
Several existing northern itineraries visit both. Read their daily stages and compare the time allocated to each destination.
Another perspective on Tanzania
Continue exploring
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Let's talk about Serengeti
Share your interest in Serengeti, your travel dates and who will be joining you. Tell us what you would like to explore and begin a conversation about your Tanzania journey.