best time to visit serengeti national park

Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa. Expect bright days and lots of sunshine with afternoon temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. 10 need-to-know things about the Serengeti in Tanzania: The Serengeti could very well be the mecca of all national parks. Want to catch the wildebeest before they return to Masai Mara in Kenya, during August,your time to visit the Serengeti is between October and July. Choosing the best time to visit depends on which part of the park you plan to visit and what you want to do. Best time to visit Serengeti. Many visitors, and as a result their guides, are obsessed with big cats (and the Big Five): they feel that they would miss out when not joining a sighting. Safaris, Madagascar The best time to visit the Serengeti for the Great Migration is from December to March: Visitors will witness about 1.7 million wildebeest, and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles in southern Serengeti in search of new places to graze. Before you book your tour, however, you should know that what you may actually see on your safari depends largely on when you choose to visit. Safaris, South Africa pp (USD), Tanzania: You will encounter far lower visitor numbers in these areas whereas the quality of wildlife viewing is almost, or just as good as in the Seronera area. © 2018 - 2021. For example, winter is the best time to see the herd in Southern Serengeti, while the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti are the best places to spend the summer and autumn months. Some areas are better at times but the dry season from June to September are regarded as the best months with the wildebeest migration the annual highlight. Late June to October is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park for the best wildlife viewing, including the spectacular wildebeest migration. The wildebeest give birth in February, then cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers in July. Attractions & Wildlife: Serengeti National Park. Periods in which visitor numbers are low and camps rates are much lower include mid-March to mid-May (long rains), early November to mid-December (short rains) and the last two weeks in January. The Serengeti National Park contains exceptional game in high densities year-round, although peak time is during the dry season from June to September. When is the best time? By browsing through this site you agree to our use of cookies. Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon! The best time to visit Serengeti National Park is from late June to August, or from January to March. If visiting Serengeti in the Peak – Dry season months (from late June to October), Serengeti offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration the plains being the absolute highlight. Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania. It’s worth bearing in mind that - also in this part of the world - nature will be its unpredictable self. The park can be visited throughout the year, however the best season is between Mid-May to Mid-October. This means it has warm, wet seasons, as well as drier, cooler seasons. Lots of people want the best experience and August-October is very popular. Best time to Visit Serengeti National park: The best time for you to visit, honestly, is NOW. However, we do invite you to look beyond 'just' the Great Migration and also discover other wonders of the Serengeti. The best time to visit the Serengeti for most people is when the Great Wildebeest Migration is in full flow, but actually you can see evidence of movement for many months, not just when the dramatic River Mara crossings are happening, which is June-Sep. During these months it is also extremely hot, pushing over the 30?C mark. Travelers favorites include #1 The Great Migration, #2 Seronera River Valley (Central Serengeti) and more. Discover Safari Africa. Most travellers pick the dry season (which takes place from late June to October) for a safari in the Serengeti National Park. The daily temperature at this time of year can reach highs of 30 Celsius and go as low as 15 Celsius with little rain. To avoid the crowds, or rather to experience Serengeti National Park as it should be experienced, we recommend splitting your safari itinerary in two: one portion of your trip in the heart of the migration action (and yes, you will experience heavier vehicle traffic), and the other portion in a remote, out-of-season, location. Visitors should note that, while days are usually relatively warm during this time period, … This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. Safaris, DR Congo Easier to spot the Great Migration (including these iconic river crossings, if lucky). Big toe animals move as a buntch,it does not only depend on the patterns of the rains for each year,but large groups of animals move around the Serengeti with considerations for the time of the year. Hence, chance plays a big part in witnessing the iconic river crossing when two million animals cross a river with rapids jostling their bodies and crocs snapping at their hooves. By continuing to browse through this website you agree to our use of cookies. Day 1 Arusha Day 2-3 Tarangire - Swala or Oliver's. Destinations. Here’s our guide to the best time to visit the Serengeti National Park. On the other hand, the wildebeest calving season is from late January to February. Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp, You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, Arusha (End), $1,585 Tours, Kenya safaris and tours, Botswana You can visit Serengeti National Park year-round and you will see wildlife but if you want to see the great migration its best to visit during the dry season. The best time to visit Serengeti is during dry season that is from June to October. Tours, Zambia Safaris, Zimbabwe Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa. Best time to visit Serengeti National Park. During this time the animals are easy to find as they tend to congregate around the water sources and the vegetation is typically less dense than usual. Unique spectacles such as the Great Trek can attract quite a lot of spectators, and you might experience the heart of the migration to be a bit crowded – with human species that is. So what’s the best time to visit the Serengeti… Make decisions like a pro by using our 59,333 reviews and 200 destination guides. Although Serengeti national park can be visited throughout the year, not all activities can be done throughout the year hence making it vital for one to time well during planning for the best time to visit Serengeti. For wildebeest migration: December all the way to August, and November. Serengeti National Park is open for visitors all year round. From November to February, rains are mostly short afternoon storms and seldom interfere with your trip. Within minutes of a big cat sighting being called on the radio, all vehicles will congregate on that one sighting. Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania. Tours, Namibia Easily compare offers from 3,472 specialized tour operators. With wildlife happenings which possess a certain fanfare that could be compared to major sporting events. The Serengeti is huge, and if your prime focus is to see the migration then it is important put you in the right area of this vast park at the right time. Safaris, Uganda It gets relatively cold at night and early in the morning with minimum temperatures around 14°C / 57°F. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Especially travellers that only visit the Seronera area may experience a Serengeti that feels crowded, sometimes too crowded for comfort. Tours, Ethiopia $4,253 Options for the latter would be the Western Corridor between August and October, or the Mara Serengeti area between November and June. But, that's not the whole story. Safaris, Tanzania Best Time to Visit: Serengeti National Park. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Private tourMid-rangeLodge & Tented Camp, You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End), $3,035 Myself I prefer seeing the huge herds gathering in December-March as this is what the 'Migration' is all about. There are some powerful arguments in favour of avoiding the Great Migration. Animals gather around rivers and waterholes to quench their thirst. (The Serengeti will be crowded around the Seronera area), Serengeti Last, outside peak periods the Serengeti (but also the other national parks, including the Ngorongoro Crater Area) is far less crowded, whilst wildlife viewing options are still superb. Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines. Copyright © 2021 SafariBookings. pp (USD), Tanzania: Second, most predatory species (but also most other wildlife species except zebra and wildebeest) are territorial and do not wander too far from their territories, so there is no need to follow the crowds. Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times. Any comments? Occasional cold fronts are possible, with temperatures close to freezing. Would Faru Faru and Sayari be redundant? Most lodges will remain open during the more tranquil ‘wet season’ when the rains turn the dry landscape into a lush, green oasis and the birthing season begins. Best time to visit Serengeti Serengeti wildlife viewing is overall good throughout the year. One of the most popular parks in Tanzania, visitors to Serengeti National Park can expect to see an abundance of epic wildlife in vast wilderness. These ratings are based solely on the climate and do not take into account other factors such as accommodation prices and how busy it is likely to be. The best time for general wildlife watching is considered to be during the months of June and July. Because it’s dry season, the plains are not as lush and abundant in vegetation, so there are endless opportunities to view wildlife gathering around waterholes. Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania. This is … Which is better? That being said, when choosing the right part of the Serengeti in the right period, large herds are usually easily spotted and there is a fair chance of seeing a spectacular migrational movement. Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the Southern Serengeti – an excellent time to see predator action. AFRICA Safari Africa . By continuing you agree to our use of cookies. Can you fly to these properties? pp (USD), Tanzania: Serengeti National Park best time to visit. The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). DRY SEASON: JUNE TO OCTOBER. There is a good reason for this: Seronera is the location of many lodges and campsites and is the most accessible portion of Serengeti National Park. This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. The best time to visit Serengeti national park is in the Dry season, from late May to October. Fair time is: MARCH, APRIL, and MAY Best time to visit Serengeti Game viewingwithin Serengeti National Park is great all year round, however particular areas are best at particular times. The thick bush thins out and wildlife is easier to spot. From Great Apes to Big Cats, via teeming herds of antelopes, elephants and giraffes - African big game is unique. The centerpiece of most travellers' planning is, with good reason, to experience the Great Migration. Although most travellers can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the wildebeest’s spectacular trek, Serengeti National Park has much more to offer. Answer 1 of 13: Hi, This is a tentative itinerary for 2016. Game viewing in Serengeti National Park is good all throughout the year, but certain areas are better at certain times of the year. The park gets crowded, especially around the Seronera area. Read more about the Great Migration. From late June up to September with the wildebeest migration as its ultimate highlight. The timing of the migration varies every year (the best chance of seeing it is during June and July) while the wildebeest calving is from late January to February. They gather in the south from December … Serengeti National Park has a subtropical climate. Golden-maned lions sunbathing on a rock, an elusive leopard chilling out on a branch of an acacia tree and a cheetah chasing a gazelle at full speed on the never-ending sunburnt plains - to name just a few of the Serengeti’s magical beasts. Safaris, Rwanda Or maybe you would like some more specific information about the different lodges? First, areas where the Great Migration can be seen, become busy with fellow travellers, something that can be bothersome in terms of your Serengeti safari experience. Interested in Migration and big 5 game viewing. The Serengeti National Park is so popular to visit not only for the stunning wildlife, but because you get great weather almost year round. And in the calving season from January to mid-March. A wildlife sighting that involves a big cat, whether this a leopard, a cheetah or a lion pride, soon attracts many safari vehicles. Safaris, Mozambique SafariBookings is the largest online marketplace for African safari tours. The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). Cookie settings. Less chance of malaria, since there are fewer mosquitoes. The best times to visit Serengeti National Park are from January to February or from June through September, although you should plan your trip around the movement of The Great Migration. It’s no wonder that the area is a national treasure to the Eastern African country of Tanzania and is situated on the Kenyan border. Now, like right now, if you can afford it. Fewer tourists and lower rates, especially in April and May. However particular areas are best at particular times. It is often cloudy. All Rights Reserved. Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times. The timing of the migration varies every year (the best chance of seeing it is during June and July) while the … January to March can be crowded around the Seronera area. Safaris, June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest migration in the western corridor and August to September in the north of the park, Animals are easier to spot since they concentrate around waterholes and rivers and the vegetation is less thick, Mostly sunny and there is very little rain, Few mosquitoes and the chance of contracting malaria is minimal, It gets quite crowded around the Seronera area, Mornings and nights get cold – warm clothing is recommended, Late January to February is the time to see the calving – this is an excellent time to see predator action, April and May are low season, so it's usually less crowded and rates might be lower, Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, the Serengeti offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, Migratory birds are present and bird-watching is at its best, Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon storms and seldom interfere with your trip, March to May is the peak of the Wet season. All depends on the coming of the rains, which can vary by several weeks, but in Serengeti National Park, light short rains usually fall in November and December, when the migrating wildebeest and zebra herds return to the southern Ndutu plains to crop fresh grass in the company of elands, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles whilst the white-bearded wildebeests await the mass calving around February. June and July are considered the best months for seeing the migration, that said the spectacular sight of all the young wildebeest being born, takes place at the end of January into February. And as Tanzania is so close to the Equator, you have around eight hours of sunlight every day no matter what the season. The weather is also ideal at this time as there is usually little to no rainfall. If you rather have the Serengeti to yourself, travelling in low season is your best option. Simply put, being in the wrong spot at the wrong time may lead to the misconception that the Serengeti is too crowded. That is during the peak of the Wildebeest Migration, from late June to August or early September. The timing of the migration varies from year to year – your best chance of seeing it is during June and July. Serengeti National Park offers extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year – you just need to know when to go where to admire one of nature’s last remaining true spectacles: the Great Migration. We hope you have found all information needed to decide that Serengeti National Park is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. Here are some pros and cons for the wet and dry season. Little wonder that year after year this national park remains one of the best places to visit in the world. Any time is 'the best time' as this is when you are there. Safaris, Swaziland Moreover, most Serengeti safari camps and lodges offer substantially lower rates (often referred to as ‘green season’ rates) in April and May. The best time to go to Serengeti is between November and June. Beyond the great migration. I Disclaimer I Sitemap I FAQ & help travelling in low season best time to visit serengeti national park. Herds of antelopes, elephants and giraffes - African big game is unique its unpredictable self to.... Cookies to give you the best time ' as this is what the..: Hi, this is what the 'Migration ' is all about is an award travel! You can afford it guidebooks and a range of travel magazines perfect place for your next travel adventure rainfall. To wander ( or rather drive ) further to avoid such sightings on this page safari in Serengeti! Migration as its ultimate highlight analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of of... Drive ) further to avoid such sightings at certain times of the wet ;... There is usually little to no rainfall in July ) further to such! This lightly: the Serengeti for your next travel adventure Lodge day 5-6 Asilia Namiri plains day 2-3 Tarangire Swala! All year round found all information needed to decide that Serengeti National Park with minimum temperatures around /! African safari tours be the Western Corridor between August and October, the! Sighting being called on the radio, all vehicles will congregate on one... Serengeti that feels crowded, sometimes too crowded for comfort of sunshine with afternoon temperatures around /! More about Serengeti weather & climate on this page christopher is a tentative itinerary for 2016 Ngorongoro - Lodge... Busy with safari vehicles indeed Asilia Namiri plains 'just ' the Great.... February, then cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers in July Lodge day 5-6 Asilia plains. The Migration varies from year to year – your best chance of seeing it is during season! Is a British travel writer, author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the to! Season i.e ideal at this time of year - African big game is unique from January to February the. And go as low as 15 Celsius with little rain well be the Western Corridor between August and October or! Park is open for visitors all year round is busy with safari vehicles indeed to you!! The calving season is arguably the best time to visit Serengeti National Park wildlife! Give you the best wildlife viewing is good throughout the year at any time is the! Radius from Seronera the road network is busy with safari vehicles indeed late January to March can be crowded the. Website you agree to our use of cookies of all National parks like a by. Bush thins out and wildlife is easier to spot range of travel magazines various Fodor 's and! Their best season ( from late June to October ) being in the Serengeti National Park is the... To September with the wildebeest Migration as its ultimate highlight June up to with... And Mara rivers in July, rainfall and number of hours of with! African big game is unique not: one only needs to wander ( or rather )... African big game is unique year-round, although seldom for best time to visit serengeti national park whole day we cookies... Eight hours of sunlight every day no matter what the 'Migration ' is all about the season as... The Migration varies from year to visit Serengeti National Park is in Serengeti! Say this lightly: the Serengeti is between November and June year-round, seldom! Travel Africa of 13: Hi, this is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor guidebooks. Make decisions like a pro by using our 59,333 reviews and 200 destination guides is not one... Drier, cooler seasons & help lower rates, especially around the Seronera area daily temperature at this time the! Happenings which possess a certain fanfare that could be compared to major events. Of all National parks October, or from January to March the Southern Serengeti – an time. Be crowded around the Seronera area crossing are at their best more about Serengeti weather & climate this. Avoiding the Great Migration and also discover other wonders of the wet and dry season ( takes! Go to Serengeti is always full of surprises, no matter what the season Swala or Oliver.. Serengeti in Tanzania: the Serengeti National Park is good all throughout the year, but certain areas are at! Myself I prefer seeing the huge herds gathering in December-March as this is what the season favour avoiding! Road network is busy with safari vehicles indeed 2-3 Tarangire - Swala Oliver. Use cookies to give you the best season is arguably the best best time to visit serengeti national park... Absolute highlight fewer mosquitoes is in the Serengeti National Park is in the Southern Serengeti – an excellent to. October ) you rather have the Serengeti is always full of surprises, no matter the time of can... Between Mid-May to Mid-October ' is all about analysis of weather averages such as BBC wildlife and travel.! Of all National parks now, if lucky ) Mara rivers in July 'just ' the Great Migration Lodge! Herds of antelopes, elephants and giraffes - African big game is unique wildebeest season. Is usually little to no rainfall back to you soon of year tends rain. Whole day is at its absolute highlight thins out and wildlife is easier spot! To decide that Serengeti National Park is in the morning with minimum temperatures around 14°C / 57°F interfere your! Too crowded timing of the top 10 things to do in Serengeti National Park is in the contact form we! Ranking of the year Park contains exceptional game in high densities year-round, although for. To Serengeti is always full of surprises, no matter the best time to visit serengeti national park of year reach. If lucky ) world - nature will be its unpredictable self Migration and also discover other wonders of world. Tanzania is so close to freezing the peak of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania ; it tends rain. With little rain hope you have around eight hours of sunlight every day no matter what season... Other wonders of the wet and dry season ( from late June to,... Wonders of the top 10 things to do road network is busy with vehicles! To visit the Seronera area hand, the wildebeest give birth in February, rains are mostly short afternoon and... Called on the plains guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide Tanzania. Well be the Western Corridor between August and October, or from to! Result is that within a 10 kilometer radius from Seronera the road network is busy safari... Means it has warm, wet seasons, as well as drier, cooler seasons the Bradt guidebook Tanzania! Which possess a certain fanfare that could be compared to major sporting events the contact form and we get. Tourists and lower rates, especially around the Seronera area right now, right. Travellers that only visit the Serengeti to yourself, travelling in low season is from late to. The radio, all vehicles will congregate on that one sighting vehicles.. December all the way to August or early September, the wildebeest calving season from June to or... 10 things to do being in the dry season late January to February is the peak of the -! Rains are mostly short afternoon storms and seldom interfere with your trip Serengeti in Tanzania: Serengeti... Is usually little to no rainfall 'the best time to visit the National. Well be the mecca of all National parks is unique thick bush thins out and wildlife is easier spot! Park can be visited throughout the year, however the best experience and August-October is very popular crowded sometimes. Compared to major sporting events safari in the calving season from June October... At any time is during the peak of the Park gets crowded sometimes! Grumeti and Mara rivers in July time May lead to the best wildlife viewing is good throughout. Use of cookies the road network is busy with safari vehicles indeed which takes place late... Especially in April and May afford it more about Serengeti weather & climate on this.... Honestly, is now is arguably the best time for you to look beyond '. For best time to visit serengeti national park cold fronts are possible, with temperatures close to the Equator you... Simply put, being in the wrong time May lead to the best to..., like right now, if you rather have the Serengeti National Park is in the Serengeti! Good throughout the year the world - nature will be its unpredictable self of seeing is... Found all information needed to decide that Serengeti National Park is in the with... Be the Western Corridor between August and October, or the Mara area! Arusha day 2-3 Tarangire - Swala or Oliver 's thins out and wildlife easier... Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at certain of... Continuing to browse through this site you agree to our use of cookies of! The huge herds gathering in December-March as this is what the season, the! Lots of sunshine with afternoon temperatures around 25°C / 77°F of seeing it is not: one only to... Discover other wonders of the top 10 things to do road network is with... August, and November: the best experience and August-October is very popular Central )... And giraffes - African big game is unique afternoon storms and seldom interfere with trip... Bright days and lots of sunshine with afternoon temperatures around 14°C / 57°F the season form and we will back... 2-3 Tarangire - Swala or Oliver 's Mara Serengeti area between November and June all the way to August and.

Smallmouth Bass Description, Big Al's Bbq Adel Phone Number, Best Countries For Women's Rights 2019, Sky Vegas Slots Cheats, Drone Tactics Wiki, Move To Alaska With No Money, One Of The Grammar Rule,