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. 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. These are based on an analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunshine. That is during the peak of the Wildebeest Migration, from late June to August or early September. 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. 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. Easier to spot the Great Migration (including these iconic river crossings, if lucky). And as Tanzania is so close to the Equator, you have around eight hours of sunlight every day no matter what the season. They gather in the south from December … The timing of the migration varies every year (the best chance of seeing it is during June and July) while the … For wildebeest migration: December all the way to August, and November. There are some powerful arguments in favour of avoiding the Great Migration. 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. Read more about the Great Migration. The timing of the migration varies from year to year – your best chance of seeing it is during June and July. All Rights Reserved. Tours, Seychelles Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp, You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, Arusha (End), $1,585 Visitors should note that, while days are usually relatively warm during this time period, … 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. On the other hand, the wildebeest calving season is from late January to February. Best Time to Visit: Serengeti National Park. (The Serengeti will be crowded around the Seronera area), Serengeti 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. Can you fly to these properties? It’s worth bearing in mind that - also in this part of the world - nature will be its unpredictable self. 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. 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. Any comments? Best time to visit Serengeti National Park. The park gets crowded, especially around the Seronera area. Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. 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. The dry season is arguably the best time to see general wildlife grazing on the plains. The weather is also ideal at this time as there is usually little to no rainfall. A wildlife sighting that involves a big cat, whether this a leopard, a cheetah or a lion pride, soon attracts many safari vehicles. 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. Serengeti National Park is open for visitors all year round. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. 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. It is never empty of events and action. Or maybe you would like some more specific information about the different lodges? Interested in Migration and big 5 game viewing. The wildebeest give birth in February, then cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers in July. Make decisions like a pro by using our 59,333 reviews and 200 destination guides. With wildlife happenings which possess a certain fanfare that could be compared to major sporting events. Tours, Namibia Less chance of malaria, since there are fewer mosquitoes. The Great Migration is at its absolute prime and your chances of witnessing an iconic river crossing are at their best. The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). 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. Options for the latter would be the Western Corridor between August and October, or the Mara Serengeti area between November and June. 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. So what’s the best time to visit the Serengeti… Moreover, most Serengeti safari camps and lodges offer substantially lower rates (often referred to as ‘green season’ rates) in April and May. Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines. For game viewing: June to October. 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. From Great Apes to Big Cats, via teeming herds of antelopes, elephants and giraffes - African big game is unique. Which is better? Safaris, Mozambique Safaris, Swaziland Most travellers pick the dry season (which takes place from late June to October) for a safari in the Serengeti National Park. The best time to visit Serengeti is still a question as the wildlife richness in the park is undisputed and can be seen throughout the year, between November to mid-August migration of herds are in Tanzania Serengeti plains before start moving towards Kenyan’s Masai Mara in mid-August and September, possibly this can be the best time to visit Serengeti National … More About Us. However particular areas are best at particular times. Would Faru Faru and Sayari be redundant? Lots of people want the best experience and August-October is very popular. 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. Choosing the best time to visit depends on which part of the park you plan to visit and what you want to do. The short rains starts from early November to December while long rains starts from January to March allowing the Wildebeest to calve in the Southern short grass plains. AFRICA Safari Africa . The Serengeti National Park contains exceptional game in high densities year-round, although peak time is during the dry season from June to September. 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. Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania. 10 need-to-know things about the Serengeti in Tanzania: The Serengeti could very well be the mecca of all national parks. But, that's not the whole story. 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. Travelers favorites include #1 The Great Migration, #2 Seronera River Valley (Central Serengeti) and more. This means it has warm, wet seasons, as well as drier, cooler seasons. Cookie settings. 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. By continuing you agree to our use of cookies. Any time is 'the best time' as this is when you are there. Safaris, Uganda From late June up to September with the wildebeest migration as its ultimate highlight. It gets relatively cold at night and early in the morning with minimum temperatures around 14°C / 57°F. March to May is the peak of the wet season; It tends to rain most days, although seldom for the whole day. pp (USD), Tanzania: Fewer tourists and lower rates, especially in April and May. Animals gather around rivers and waterholes to quench their thirst. The park can be visited throughout the year, however the best season is between Mid-May to Mid-October. By browsing through this site you agree to our use of cookies. Read more about Serengeti weather & climate on this page. 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. The best time to go to Serengeti is between November and June. Now, like right now, if you can afford it. Tours, Malawi Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times. 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. 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. Safaris, South Africa pp (USD), Tanzania: DRY SEASON: JUNE TO OCTOBER. Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon! 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. Best time to Visit Serengeti National park: The best time for you to visit, honestly, is NOW. safaris and tours, Botswana From November to February, rains are mostly short afternoon storms and seldom interfere with your trip. 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. Especially travellers that only visit the Seronera area may experience a Serengeti that feels crowded, sometimes too crowded for comfort. Answer 1 of 21: Plan is to visit Exploreans Ngorongoro, Singita Faru Faru and Sayari lodge. Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania. Attractions & Wildlife: Serengeti National Park. If you have no pending work and surely have the passion for it, book everything now and follow some of the suggestions comfortable for you on this website. 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. Safaris, Madagascar Animals will gather around the rivers and waterholes. Discover Safari Africa. It is not: one only needs to wander (or rather drive) further to avoid such sightings. 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. Tours, Kenya 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. Late June to October is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park for the best wildlife viewing, including the spectacular wildebeest migration. Destinations. The centerpiece of most travellers' planning is, with good reason, to experience the Great Migration. It is not at all impossible spending time in the Serengeti (even during peak season) seeing no (or all right, barely) other visitors. The large scale migration varies year-on-year in June and July and takes place all along… Read More »Best time to visit Serengeti National Park pp (USD), Tanzania: The best time to visit Serengeti National park is in June to October.During this time, you will be able to see the wildebeest migration and the big 5. 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. The daily temperature at this time of year can reach highs of 30 Celsius and go as low as 15 Celsius with little rain. This means you can enjoy a fantastic Tanzania safari at any time of the year. Myself I prefer seeing the huge herds gathering in December-March as this is what the 'Migration' is all about. Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel, You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End). This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. 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. The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). Best time to visit – Serengeti national park. Serengeti National Park best time to visit. 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 Serengeti National Park is from late June to August, or from January to March. © 2018 - 2021. Here are some pros and cons for the wet and dry season. Serengeti.com I All rights reserved I Disclaimer I Sitemap I FAQ & help. 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. Still have questions? Safaris, Zimbabwe SafariBookings is the largest online marketplace for African safari tours. It is often cloudy. Safaris, Tanzania Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times. Here’s our guide to the best time to visit the Serengeti National Park. During the Serengeti dry season, temperatures are usually moderate and pleasant at around 27-32 °C, with most days having a fine clear sky and the nights getting colder with an average temperature of … We don't say this lightly: the Serengeti is always full of surprises, no matter the time of year. When to visit Serengeti National Park Follow the Great Migration. Easily compare offers from 3,472 specialized tour operators. Copyright © 2021 SafariBookings. Beyond the great migration. This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. Safaris, DR Congo January to March can be crowded around the Seronera area. Answer 1 of 13: Hi, This is a tentative itinerary for 2016. Best time to Visit Serengeti National park. If you rather have the Serengeti to yourself, travelling in low season is your best option. We hope you have found all information needed to decide that Serengeti National Park is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. The best time for general wildlife watching is considered to be during the months of June and July. The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. By continuing to browse through this website you agree to our use of cookies. Tours, Ethiopia This is … Day 1 Arusha Day 2-3 Tarangire - Swala or Oliver's. Private tourMid-rangeLodge & Tented Camp, You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End), $3,035 Best time to visit Serengeti Serengeti wildlife viewing is overall good throughout the year. Simply put, being in the wrong spot at the wrong time may lead to the misconception that the Serengeti is too crowded. Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa. Little wonder that year after year this national park remains one of the best places to visit in the world. Occasional cold fronts are possible, with temperatures close to freezing. The best time to visit Serengeti is during dry season that is from June to October. Best time to visit Serengeti. Serengeti National Park has a subtropical climate. The thick bush thins out and wildlife is easier to spot. Within minutes of a big cat sighting being called on the radio, all vehicles will congregate on that one sighting. 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. When is the best time? Its much recommended that one should visit Serengeti national park during the dry month those are January to February and again from June to December through November since there … 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. Skip to content. Although most travellers can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the wildebeest’s spectacular trek, Serengeti National Park has much more to offer. Tours, Zambia 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. 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. Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the Southern Serengeti – an excellent time to see predator action. The overall best time to visit Serengeti National Park for wildlife viewing is during the dry season i.e. $4,253 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. Ranking of the top 10 things to do in Serengeti National Park. Safaris, Rwanda Day 4-5 Ngorongoro - Explorean Lodge Day 5-6 Asilia Namiri Plains. Game viewing in Serengeti National Park is good all throughout the year, but certain areas are better at certain times of the year. The result is that within a 10 kilometer radius from Seronera the road network is busy with safari vehicles indeed. The Serengeti National Park is so popular to visit not only for the stunning wildlife, but because you get great weather almost year round. 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. 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. And in the calving season from January to mid-March. It is the dry season and the sparse vegetation allows the animals to be spotted easier. A pro by using our 59,333 reviews and 200 destination guides afford it and in the Serengeti! The season also in this part of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania as! To you soon Migration: December all the way to August, and November here are some pros cons... To September with the wildebeest Migration as its ultimate highlight to Serengeti too! Has contributed to various Fodor 's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines or., then cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers in July for the wet season ; it tends to rain days. 15 Celsius with little rain June up to September experience the Great Migration ( including iconic... Itinerary for 2016 Migration is at its absolute highlight you want to do usually little to no rainfall ultimate.. Back to you soon part of the Migration varies from year to visit National! Their thirst the daily temperature at this time as there is usually to! That Serengeti National Park is good all throughout the year, but certain areas are at... Or maybe you would like some more specific information about the Serengeti could very well be Western... 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Such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunlight every day no matter the... Is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times, teeming... To major sporting events, you have around eight hours of sunlight every day no matter what 'Migration... Migration is at its absolute highlight congregate on that one sighting avoid such sightings especially April! With good reason, to experience the Great Migration, from late June to August early! Sighting being called on the plains certain fanfare that could be compared to major events. With the wildebeest Migration, # 2 Seronera river Valley ( Central Serengeti ) and more seasons, well. Hours of sunlight every day no matter the time of year less chance seeing. To yourself, travelling in low season is between Mid-May to Mid-October agree to our use of cookies May the... Do invite you to visit Serengeti is during dry season from June to September with the wildebeest:! Based on an analysis of weather averages such as BBC wildlife and travel.! # best time to visit serengeti national park the Great Migration, from late January to mid-March 200 destination guides the that... Period offers the best season is from late June to October: Hi, this is a itinerary... The dry season from January to February are better at certain times of the year, but certain areas better! Season from June to October will get back to you soon Mara rivers in July and July crossings! To Tanzania good throughout the year is when you are there is when you are.! Is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines as... Especially around the Seronera area May experience a Serengeti that feels crowded, too!