Serengeti tours are by far the best Tanzania safari experiences one can enjoy while on their ultimate Africa safari tour in Tanzania. Tanzania is a top wildlife safari destination that many travelers after unforgettable wild game viewing experiences visit, throughout the year. Any given Tanzania safari tour is often times to the Serengeti National Park, solely or as part of a longer safari experience with other Tanzania national parks.
Location
Serengeti tours take travelers to Serengeti National Park. Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania, a prime and most sought-after African safari destination by millions of travelers. Serengeti National Park is in the northern part of Tanzania boasting of golden endless savannah plains that supports large animal populations. Animals in Serengeti National Park freely graze and roam the endless plains especially large populations of elephants, buffalos, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, and not to forget millions of wildebeests.
With so many grazers, predators are definitely in the vicinity too. Serengeti National Park is a paradise of predators say lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, among others. Serengeti National Park is a great African safari destination to watch the predator-prey chase, and where there are higher chances of spotting predators devouring their kill.
Where to Go on Serengeti Tours
Serengeti National Park is a vast wildlife safari destination. Depending on what you are after and the season of travel, choosing where to go on your Serengeti tour is important. Serengeti National Park is divided into the Northern part known as Kogatende as well, Central part, which is also referred to as Seronera Area, the Western part, the Eastern part, and the Southern part, which is known as Ndutu area.
Northern Serengeti
The northern Serengeti National Park, Kogatende, is made up of small rivers, rolling hills and granite outcrops commonly known as kopjes. The northern Serengeti is less crowded throughout the year, with the exception for when the Great Wildebeest Migration is in season, where the Mara River crossing is expected and anticipated by many travelers.
Where to stay in northern Serengeti should be booked in advance, for stays during the Great Wildebeest migration in the months of July to October. Camps and lodges in northern Serengeti include Serengeti Migration Camp, Ole Serai Luxury Tented Camp Kogatende, Mara Buh Camp, Heritage Mara Camp, among others. Important to note is that prices for accommodation in northern Serengeti is higher than most other parts of Serengeti, thus impacting your Serengeti tour cost.
Central Serengeti
Central Serengeti National Park also known as Seronera Area is the most commonly visited part of Serengeti park Tanzania, all throughout the year. Seronera area is the heart of Serengeti National Park with easy animal viewing all year round. The Seronera River attracts many animals especially during the dry season. Where to stay in Central Serengeti includes Central Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp, Heritage Serengeti Luxury Camp, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Melia Serengeti Lodge, among others.
Eastern Serengeti
Eastern Serengeti National Park offers travelers a wide range of wildlife and is a good Great Wildebeest Migration destination in the months of December to March, which is the calving season. The Eastern Serengeti is much quieter the rest of the year however and is one of the best places to go for Serengeti tours with less crowds. Accommodation options include Namiri Plains and Lemala Nanyuki, among others.
Western Serengeti
The Western Corridor of Serengeti National Park goes as far as to Lake Victoria area has the Grumeti River which is a hub for crocodiles and hippos, with thousands if not millions of wildebeests crossing it in the months of May and June. Watching the Grumeti River crossing of the Great Wildebeest Migration is a spectacular experience that many look to experience, away from the crowds for many look towards the Mara River crossing and Calving season. Accommodation in Western Serengeti include Mbalageti Serengeti, Singita Grumeti, among others.
Southern Serengeti
The southern Serengeti is also known as Ndutu area and is shared with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well. The southern Serengeti is most busy in the months of December to March during the Calving season of Great Wildebeest Migration. The calving season is also a great predator season and so travelers after experiencing this would best visit then. Accommodation in Ndutu area include Lake Masek Tented Lodge, Lake Ndutu Safari Lodge, Ndutu Migration Camp by Tanzania Bush Camp, Heritage Ngorongoro Camp, Kirimu Camp Ndutu, among others.
When to Go for Serengeti Tours
Serengeti National Park is available for visit all year through. The dry season is considered by many as the best time to visit for Tanzania safaris, running from June to October and December to March for easy animal viewing and park access. Note however that Serengeti is a hub for the great wildebeest migration that has you spotting many animals wherever the migration is. The best time to visit Serengeti is also relative to if you are after the great wildebeest migration. Irrespective of time of travel, the Serengeti National Park is an all year round safari destination. Simply talk to your tour consultant and you shall be curated for a fitting Serengeti tour.
What best combines with Serengeti Tours?
While you can travel and visit the Serengeti alone, for even more than 7 days, combining your Serengeti tours with other destinations is ideal, to allow you a chance to explore so much more. What best combines with Serengeti Tours, you may wonder? Below are options for your consideration;
Ngorongoro Crater: The Ngorongoro Crater is home to all the big 5 animals and is one of the best possible places to almost easily spot rhinos.
Tarangire National Park: Tarangire National Park is home to large herds of elephants, is a great birding paradise, and night game drives are possible here so why not include it? Tarangire also works as good buffer for the long drive to Serengeti National Park.
Lake Manyara National Park: The park boasts of tree climbing lions, is an excellent bird watching destination in Tanzania, and is also home to some unique Tanzania safari activities like boat safaris and canopy walks.
Ruaha National Park: Ruaha National Park best combines with Serengeti tours because of the off the beaten path experience the park offers, is home to amazing predator sightings including the wild dogs, and is also home to huge elephant herds.
Nyerere National Park: Formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is a great addition to your Serengeti tours because it is another of the hotspots for travelers after raw and still wild nature for not much is explored yet, home to the wild dogs and huge numbers of hippos, giraffes, elephants and buffalos make your experiences worthwhile. It is also less crowded.
Zanzibar: What better way to end your Serengeti tours than with days at the coast of Tanzania, enjoying the fine white beaches and perfect turquoise blue waters stunning to stare at?
The Rest of East Africa: Combine your Serengeti tours with the rest of East Africa for a complete experience. Include Kenya for the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve, encounter the giant long tusked elephants with a backdrop of the Kilimanjaro Mountain in Amboseli National Park, or even explore the private conservancies of Kenya or visit Samburu for immersive cultural encounters.
Include Rwanda and Uganda for among others the mystic rainforest areas, for gorilla trekking experiences, and chimpanzee tracking tours. What about including the most thunderous waterfalls, Murchison Falls, with activities like a delta boat safari or even sport fishing available.
As you plan for your Serengeti tours, below are a couple of tips that can prove useful for you.
- Know your timing: knowing the time of your Serengeti tour is important as it will guide you on what to look out for, where to stay, and what price range to expect. If you want to experience the great Wildebeest Migration and experience the Mara River crossing, then you should know that your Serengeti tour should be in the northern Serengeti National Park. If traveling at other times, expect to follow the great wildebeest migration at other locations. Regarding knowing your timing of the Serengeti tour is also important that you know if you are traveling in the peak season and thus mentally prepare to meet crowds.
- Book Early: it is important to know that well-located camps, especially those that follow the Great Wildebeest Migration, get booked out early, sometimes even a year in advance. Book your Serengeti tour well in advance if you can manage, that you can secure your preferred accommodation in Serengeti National Park.
- Expect Crowds in the peak season: as mentioned earlier, travelers who visit Tanzania in the peak season do encounter crowds, given the travel demand then. Mentally prepare to see crowds, especially while out on game drives.
- Choose your preferred activities: game drives are standard activities in Serengeti National Park, that is morning and afternoon game drives. Other activities you can enjoy include a hot air balloon experience that ends with a bush breakfast experience, bush dinners, and permitted lodges and camps in Serengeti National Park at select areas provide for guided walking safaris.
So, are you ready to plan your dream Serengeti tour? Get in touch with us and start planning your ultimate Tanzania wildlife safari in Serengeti National Park, and beyond.
