When to Visit Serengeti National Park for a Safari?
Tanzania has a tropical climate with no winter or summer, with pleasant year – round temperatures. However, the dry season from June to October, is considered the best time to visit Serengeti National Park for wildlife viewing. The vegetation cover is space, and all wildlife congregates near water sources making it easy to spot the game.
The famous river-crossing of the Great Wildebeest Migration also occurs during the dry season.
When is the high season in Serengeti National Park?
The high season in Serengeti National Park is from June to October and mid-December to February, during which peak season prices are charged. There is a short break in November, which is considered to be the low season in Tanzania.
The Long Dry Season
The dry season in Serengeti National Park occurs from June to October, and is the best time for wildlife viewing in the Serengeti. Also, it is the peak of the wildebeest migration when the river crossings; mega – herds can be observed in several places in the park.
As a result, regions of the park can get busy during these months. In September and October, the great herds move into Kenya.
The Short Dry Season
The short dry season in Serengeti National Park occurs in January and February, coinciding with the wildebeest calving season. During this time, around 500,000 calves are born in a matter of weeks, which attracts a high concentration of predators. It is truly a magnificent sight to behold, and with few visitors in the park, the experience is even more intimate.
When is the Low Season in Serengeti National Park?
The short rains in Serengeti arrive from November and mid- December, providing relief to the dry landscapes after a long dry period of five months. They signal the start of the Green Season in the Serengeti. While afternoon thunderstorms are possible, wildlife viewing is still great, and the savannahs are lush and thriving.
At this time, the wildebeests in Kenya migrate southward and return to Tanzania. November is considered low or should season. However due to the festivities around the holidays, the weeks from mid-December are considered high season.
The low season in Tanzania lasts from March until May, coinciding with the long rains. Heavy rainfall occurs daily during this period and often arrives in dramatic passing thunderstorms, creating exceptional landscape photography conditions.
Although the park is still open, spotting game is challenging due to dense vegetation and the wildlife scatters into the vast plains without needing their dry – season water sources. Still, exploring the park with our skilled guides in the rainy season will allow you to see a range of wildlife even in the rain season, and with a bit of luck, you might even spot the Big 5.
However, if you main reason to visit Serengeti National Park is to see as much as possible on your first safari, avoid visiting during the low season. However, for people who enjoy being in nature, it is an excellent time as there are fewer visitors, low – season prices, and the possibility to book at the last minute. Additionally, witness the expansive green landscapes creates a sense of new beginnings in the plains of Tanzania, making it a beautiful place to visit.
When to Visit Serengeti National Park for a safari – Monthly Guide
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is world – renowned, home to the Big 5, the Wildebeest Migration, and so much more. When to visit Serengeti National Park for a safari will depend on your personal preferences.
This is our guide, month by month
January – The Short Dry Season & High Season
November and December short rains breathe new life into the grasslands of Serengeti National Park, triggering the wildebeest in Kenya to journey southward. By January, the Ndutu and Kusini Plains of the Southern Serengeti are alive with countless wildebeest gathering on the lush, mineral-rich grasses nourished by fertile volcanic soils.
The plains become a wildebeest nursery dotted with thousands of expecting mothers. Witnessing these mega-herds in such a beautiful ecosystem is an unforgettable sight.
February – The Short Dry Season & High Season
In February, the plains of the southern Serengeti transform into a birthing ground where approximately half a million wildebeest calves are born within a few weeks. This attracts large numbers of big cats to the area as they prey on the vulnerable young calves. As you witness the struggle for survival unfold, you gain a first-hand experience of the power of nature and the resilience of life on the beautiful grasslands.
March – April and May – The Long Rains & Low Season
The rainy season typically starts in March, when the moist air from the southeast trade wind moves inland. The rainfall usually occurs during afternoon or nighttime thunderstorms, and March and April receive the most rain. Despite the frequent precipitation, the high temperatures during this time are pleasant, ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 27°C (80°F).
During March, the herds of wildebeests roam across the vast plains of Ndutu and Kusini. In April, they start to migrate northwards in long columns and can be spotted in Moru Kopjes and the Seronera region. By May, the reach the Western Corridor, and the wildebeest rut or mating season commences, a unique and fascinating part of the wildebeest migration.
Towards the end of May, the wildebeests continue congregating in Western Serengeti, and the river crossing at Grumeti River becomes more inevitable.
June – The Dry Season & High Season
July is an exciting month in Serengeti National Park as it marks the start of the dry season in East Africa and is an exhilarating time in the annual cycle of the wildebeest migration. By June, vast herds of wildebeest gather in the western corridor of the Serengeti, where they face their first significant challenge – crossing the east to west flowing river that blocks their path to the abundant grasslands on the northern bank, the Grumeti River.
Driven by hunger and the search for fresh grass, the herds must cross the river, home to large and hungry Nile crocodiles. It is an event in nature that you will remember forever.
Some consider June to be the best time to visit the Serengeti. Visitor numbers are lower than in July and August, but conditions for wildlife safaris are incredible.
July – The Dry Season & High Season
The Grumeti River Crossing, where large Nile crocodiles eagerly await their prey is remarkable. However, an even more fantastic spectacle awaits further north, and the best time to experience this is in July.
By July, the wildebeests move into the northern Serengeti, where they will reach the famous Mara River, which is bigger, deeper and more treacherous than the Grumeti River. From mid-July, the famous river crossings take place, which is a heart-stopping event to witness.
If you wish to see the Mara River Crossing, it is recommend to book a year in advance.
August – The Dry Season & High Season
August is an excellent month to witness the wildebeest migration in the Ikorongo Region, in the far north of Serengeti National Park. Also, this is the best time to see the ongoing Mara River crossings before the mega herds enter Kenya.
Due to the progression of the dry season, the landscapes continue to dry out, causing the resident wildlife to congregate near rivers and permanent water sources providing an ideal opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife.
August is a popular time to visit the Serengeti and it can be busy.
September – The Dry Season & High Season
September marks the third consecutive month without any rainfall on the Great Plains of Serengeti National Park. Consequently, the wildlife is now gathering around the remaining water sources, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
During September, the mega- herds migrate into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
October – The Dry Season & High Season
During October, a safari in Serengeti is an incredible opportunity to witness the last month of the dry season. After five months of no rainfall, the landscapes are at their driest, and the water sources are depleting, making it one of the most challenging times of the year for wildlife. Also, this means visitors can observe vast numbers of animals and birds near the remaining water.
During October, the wildebeest can be found in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
November – The Short Rains & Low Season
In November the arrival of the short rains is often unpredictable, leading to a sudden growth of new grass in the Serengeti. This causes the wildebeests in Kenya to migrate south and cross the Mara River for the second time. The park typically receives fewer visitors during this period.
Although it can rain heavily, it usually occurs in the afternoon or at night, making early morning game drives just as enjoyable. Additionally, migratory birds start returning in November, which adds on extra element of excitement to the park.
December – The Short Rains & Low Season
In December, the wildebeests arrive in the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Areas. The short rains have turned the plains green, and afternoon showers are still expected. The rains also clear the air of dust, making it a beautiful time to be in the park, especially for wildlife and landscape photography enthusiasts.
Although November and December see fewer visitors in the park, there is an influx of visitors during Christmas and New Year, which is understandable. Spending Christmas with your family in Serengeti, disconnecting from the world is an experience unlike any other