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Tanzania safari itinerary Tarangire, North Serengeti, Central Serengeti & Ngorongoro — Serengeti, Ngorongoro & bush camps with Ascend Tanzania
Expeditions/Safari Parks 01

Route 01

Serengeti National Park

Endless plains, kopjes, and the seasonal drama of the Great Migration

Size
14,763 km²
Best months
Jun – Oct & Dec
Known for
Migration & Big Five
UNESCO
World Heritage Site

Paradise for the wildlife

Wildlife in Serengeti

Serengeti is home to one of Africa’s richest and most diverse wildlife ecosystems. The vast grasslands support enormous populations of herbivores, which in turn sustain a remarkable concentration of predators. While the park is famous for its wildebeest and zebra herds, visitors can encounter an impressive variety of animals throughout the year, making almost every game drive a new wildlife experience.

The Serengeti is particularly well known for its big cats. Lions are commonly encountered across the plains, while cheetahs can often be seen hunting in open grassland. Leopards are more elusive and are frequently found resting in trees or around riverine areas. Spotted hyenas are also an important part of the ecosystem, competing with and scavenging from other predators.

Large herbivores are equally central to the Serengeti experience. Wildebeest form the largest herds and are at the heart of the Great Migration, while zebra and several species of gazelle move alongside them. Elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos and warthogs are also found in different parts of the park, while smaller animals and primates add further diversity to the landscape.

Serengeti is also an excellent destination for birdwatching, with more than 500 bird species recorded in the ecosystem. From large raptors and vultures soaring above the plains to colourful bee-eaters and smaller grassland species, birdlife can be encountered throughout the year. Together, the variety of habitats and wildlife makes Serengeti much more than a destination for the Great Migration—it is a complete year-round safari experience


Why visit Serengeti?

Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, renowned for its vast open plains, abundant wildlife and the spectacular Great Migration. Covering almost 1.5 million hectares, the park forms part of the wider Serengeti–Mara ecosystem and offers an extraordinary sense of wilderness. Whether you are visiting during the migration or travelling at another time of year, Serengeti provides exceptional opportunities to experience Tanzania’s wildlife in its natural habitat.

The Great Migration is one of Serengeti’s biggest attractions, with millions of wildebeest, along with large numbers of zebra and gazelle, moving across the ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water. However, Serengeti is much more than the migration. Its resident wildlife, including large populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and buffalo, makes the park a rewarding destination throughout the year.

The park’s diverse landscapes add another dimension to the safari experience. From the endless grasslands of the central and southern plains to rocky kopjes, river valleys, woodlands and the remote northern wilderness, different parts of Serengeti offer different wildlife experiences. Exploring these regions also allows travellers to experience quieter areas away from the busiest safari routes.

For photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and first-time safari travellers alike, Serengeti offers an exceptional combination of scenery, wildlife and seasonal experiences. With game drives, balloon safaris, birdwatching and carefully planned migration-focused trips available, Serengeti can be tailored to different interests, travel styles and times of year.


- Ascend Tanzania

— 01

Things to do

A Serengeti day is built around light: out at six, back by eleven, out again at four. What you add to that is where the trip gets its character.

Safari game drive north part Tanzania
01

Game drives, morning and late afternoon

The core of every day. Predators move at the edges of the light and rest through the middle of it, so we work the same hours they do rather than driving all day and seeing less.

Included

02

Following the migration

Not a fixed destination. Where we base you depends entirely on the month — Ndutu in February, the western corridor in June, Kogatende from July. Getting this wrong is the most common way a Serengeti trip disappoints.

Included · shapes the whole itinerary

Balloon in air
03

Balloon safari over the plains

A 05:15 start, an hour aloft as the sun comes up, and a champagne breakfast on the grass where you land. Book it at the time of reservation, the baskets fill weeks ahead in high season.

$550 per person

04

A full day out with a packed lunch

Rather than returning to camp at midday, we carry lunch and stay out. It is how you reach Moru kopjes, the Retina hippo pool or a crossing point without watching the clock.

On request, no extra cost

05

Photography-led drives

A guide who understands why you want to be side-on to the light at 06:40 and will hold position for forty minutes. Bean bags and a beanbag-friendly vehicle on request.

On request

Masaai tribe group looking at camera
06

Maasai Tribe visits

Arranged through the communities themselves rather than a staged boma on the roadside. It costs more and is worth it; ask and we will tell you honestly which visits we rate.

On request

— 02

The Great Migration in Serengeti

Around 1.3 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra move in a continuous loop driven by rain and grass. There is no start and no finish. Only where they are this month, which is the single fact your itinerary should be built around.

Ndutu & the southern plainsPeak viewing

The herds settle to calve

The short rains have pulled the mega-herd onto the mineral-rich short grass around Ndutu and Kusini. Females are heavy, the grass is low, and predators are already positioning. Cheetah do particularly well here — open country suits them.

  • —First calves appear on the open plains
  • —Exceptional cheetah and lion viewing on short grass
  • —Herds visible to the horizon in every direction
  • —Quieter than the February calving peak
— 03

What you’ll see

Likelihoods are ours, not the marketing department’s. Where something is genuinely uncommon we say so.

Lion

Near certain · Around 3,000 in the ecosystem

Cheetah

Likely · Open plains — Seronera and Ndutu

Leopard

Likely · Sausage trees along the Seronera river

Wildebeest migration

Seasonal · Where you stay matters more than the month

Black Rhino

Uncommon · Moru kopjes, a small protected population

Serengeti by Region

Year-round wildlife and big cats

Central Serengeti - Seronera

The heart of Serengeti and one of the best areas for a first safari. The Seronera Valley's permanent water sources attract abundant resident wildlife, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and buffalo.

  • 01Big cats
  • 02Attracts tourists whole year
  • 03Seronera Valley
  • 04Kopjes
  • 05Excellent game drives

Season by season

January – March

Calving season

The herds are massed on the southern short-grass plains and roughly half a million calves are born in about three weeks.

Temperature
20 – 30°C
Rainfall
Short, sharp showers
Conditions
Warm, green, big skies
Sightings
9/ 10
  • 01Peak calving at Ndutu, mid-February into early March
  • 02The highest predator density of the year follows the newborns
  • 03Short grass and open country make cats easy to find
  • 04Fewer vehicles than the July–October crossing months
— 04

Safaris that go here

Read off the park relation on each itinerary — nothing to keep in sync by hand.

Tarangire, North Serengeti, Central Serengeti & Ngorongoro · Ascend Tanzania
01

Tarangire, North Serengeti, Central Serengeti & Ngorongoro

seven days · 4 nights in this park

Composed for travellers who want the Mara River crossings. Seven days through Tarangire, then north Serengeti for the river, central Serengeti for the cats,…

View itinerary →

Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater · Ascend Tanzania
02

Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

six days · 2 nights in this park

A classic six-day arc through the three great northern parks. We compose this safari for travellers descending from Kilimanjaro who want the icons, taken slo…

View itinerary →

Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari · Ascend Tanzania
03

Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari

From $2,850

6 days · 2 nights in this park

View itinerary →

Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari · Ascend Tanzania
04

Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari

From $3,400

7 days · 2 nights in this park

View itinerary →

African safari wildlife vista representing Tanzania Northern Circuit itineraries
05

Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

From $4,120

six days · 2 nights in this park

A classic six-day arc through the three great northern parks. We compose this safari for travellers descending from Kilimanjaro who want the icons, taken slo…

View itinerary →

Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari · Ascend Tanzania
06

Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari

From $4,200

9 days · 3 nights in this park

View itinerary →

Tanzania safari itinerary Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire — Serengeti, Ngorongoro & bush camps with Ascend Tanzania
07

Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

From $5,580

nine days · 4 nights in this park

Our deepest northern circuit, taken slowly. Nine days through the four flagship parks, with extra time in the Serengeti and a quiet day at Lake Manyara. For…

View itinerary →

Tanzania safari itinerary Tarangire, North Serengeti, Central Serengeti & Ngorongoro — Serengeti, Ngorongoro & bush camps with Ascend Tanzania
08

Tarangire, North Serengeti, Central Serengeti & Ngorongoro

From $6,120

seven days · 4 nights in this park

Composed for travellers who want the Mara River crossings. Seven days through Tarangire, then north Serengeti for the river, central Serengeti for the cats,…

View itinerary →

— 05

Where you’d stay

Every camp and lodge we place guests in here, the cheapest tier first.

and beyond
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

&beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge

The property →

africa safari hero image
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★★

Africa Safari South Serengeti

The property →

Ang'ata Migration - Ndutu
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Ang'ata Migration - Ndutu Camp

The property →

Asanja Nyasirori hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Asanja Nyasirori

The property →

elewana hero
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp

The property →

Elwana pioneer
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★

Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp

The property →

Embalakai hero
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★★

Embalakai Authentic Camps

The property →

enkutoto hero
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★★

Enkutoto Migration Camp

The property →

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Nestled in Serengeti National Park, surrounded by open plains

The property →

GNU Camp safari tented lodge set in open savannah, with outdoor chairs around a fire pit and main tent under a partly cloudy sky.
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★

Gnu Migration Camp

The property →

Into Wild Africa Luxury Tented Safari Camp Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Into Wild Africa Luxury Tented Safari Camp Serengeti

Set just outside the park, a scenic 30–35 minute drive from the main gate

The property →

kati kati hero
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★★

Kati Kati Tented Camp

The property →

Kirawira hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Kirawira Serena Camp

The property →

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge · Serengeti National Park · Ascend Tanzania
Serengeti National Park / Tented lodge
Deluxe★★★★

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Tented lodge · 30 rooms

Solid mid-range on a rise above the Seronera plain. Reliable hot water, a good kitchen, twenty minutes from the best cat country.

The property →

Lahia Tented hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Lahia Tented Lodge

The property →

Main Area
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge

Luxury Above the Plains of the Northern Serengeti

The property →

Lemala Nanyukie
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★★

Lemala Nanyukie

Located in the eastern Serengeti National Park with sweeping plains views

The property →

lemala ndutu
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★

Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp

The property →

Mara Mara Tented Lodge
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Mara Mara Tented Lodge

Wake Up to the Rhythm of the Wilderness

The property →

lake mesek hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Masek Tented Lodge

The property →

Mawe Tented Camp
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Mawe Tented Camp

Timeless Safari Living Amidst Endless Plains

The property →

Mbalageti hero
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Mbalageti Safari Camp

The property →

hero
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge

The property →

Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp

Situated in Karatu Town, a scenic drive to the Ngorongoro Crater

The property →

Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Meliá Serengeti Lodge

Refined Safari Living in the Heart of the Serengeti

The property →

mount meru hero
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Mount Meru Hotel

The property →

ndutu tented hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Ndutu Under Canvas

The property →

Nyikani Migration Camp
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★★

Nyikani Migration Camp

The property →

olakira hero
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★

Olakira Camp, Asilia Africa

The property →

Main Area
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Ole Serai - Turner Springs

A Secluded Safari Retreat in the Serengeti Plains

The property →

Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Seronera
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Seronera

Luxury Safari Living Overlooking the Makoma Plains

The property →

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Moru Kopjes
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Moru Kopjes

An Elegant Safari Base Surrounded by Serengeti Wildlife

The property →

one nature hero
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★

One Nature Nyaruswiga

The property →

Salinero Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
Luxury★★★★★

Salinero Serengeti

Elegant Safari Living in the Heart of the Serengeti Plains

The property →

Sayari hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Sayari Camp, Asilia Africa

The property →

kirafu
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★★

Serengeti Kifaru Tented Lodge

The property →

serengeti mara hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Serengeti Mara River Camp

Front Row to the Mara River Crossings

The property →

The Camp
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★

Serengeti Osupuko Tented Camp

A Tranquil Safari Retreat in the Heart of the Serengeti

The property →

Serengeti Sametu
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★

Serengeti Sametu Camp

In the Heart of Central Serengeti

The property →

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti National Park / Lodge
Deluxe★★★★

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Lodge · 66 rooms

Where Elevated Views Meet Iconic Wildlife

The property →

Serengeti Tortilis Camp
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Serengeti Tortilis Camp

Classic Safari Living Amidst Iconic Plains

The property →

wild camp hero
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★

Serengeti Wild Camp

The property →

Seronera Wildlife Lodge · Serengeti National Park · Ascend Tanzania
Serengeti National Park / Lodge
Economy★★★

Seronera Wildlife Lodge

Lodge · 75 rooms

Built into a kopje in the middle of the Seronera valley. Dated, central, and unbeatable on position for the price.

The property →

S M.png
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Signature Serengeti

An Immersive Safari Stay in Central Serengeti

The property →

sound of silence hero
Serengeti National Park
Economy★★★★

Sound of Silence

The property →

Tukaone Hembe Camp
Serengeti National Park
Deluxe★★★★

Tukaone Hembe Camp

A serene safari hideaway beneath the Hembe Hills

The property →

hero
Serengeti National Park
Premium★★★★★

Woodlands Camp Serengeti

A Woodland Haven in the Serengeti

The property →

View all camps & lodges →

Gallery

  • It depends what you want to see. For river crossings, July to October in the far north — August and September are the most reliable. For calving and heavy predator action, late January to early March in the south at Ndutu. June is the quiet alternative: Grumeti crossings with a fraction of the vehicles. There is no month when the migration is not happening somewhere; there are plenty of months when it is not happening where your camp is.

  • Three is the working minimum, four is better, and for a crossing-focused trip we would push for three nights in the north alone. Two nights means one full day, and one full day is not enough margin for a park this size — especially if a crossing does not happen on your first afternoon.

  • Drive the northern circuit as far as central Serengeti; fly if you are going to Kogatende. Seronera to the northern crossing points is five hours on rough road, against a fifty-minute flight. We build the flight into any itinerary where a crossing is the point of the trip.

  • For most people, once. It is $550 per person for roughly an hour aloft plus breakfast, and what you get is the scale of the place — you cannot understand the size of the plains from a vehicle. If the budget is tight, spend it on an extra night instead.

  • Yes, and it's the most popular way to safari in northern Tanzania. Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater sit side by side, so they fit naturally into one itinerary. Many safaris also include Tarangire or Lake Manyara.

  • Serengeti National Park is famous for the Great Migration, when around two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move across the plains each year. It's also known for its endless savannah, its lion, leopard and cheetah sightings, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is widely considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa.

  • The best time to visit Serengeti is June to October, the dry season, when wildlife gathers around water and is easy to spot. For the Mara River crossings, go July to October. For wildebeest calving, go January to March. The Serengeti is rewarding all year, so the best time depends on what you most want to see.

  • The Great Migration is a year-round circular journey, not a single event. * January to March - calving season on the southern plains * April to June - herds move north through the Western Corridor * July to October - Mara River crossings in northern Serengeti * November to December - herds return south

  • Yes, you can see the Big Five in Serengeti: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo are seen regularly. Rhinos are rare and are best spotted at Moru Kopjes. Adding Ngorongoro Crater to your safari greatly improves your chances of a rhino sighting.

  • Plan for at least 3 days in Serengeti. Four to five days lets you explore more than one region at an unhurried pace. If you want to follow the Great Migration or visit the northern Serengeti, allow 5 to 7 days.

  • Yes. Serengeti has resident wildlife all year, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and hippos, especially around Seronera in Central Serengeti. Outside peak season you'll also find fewer vehicles at sightings, lower rates and green, scenic landscapes.

  • You can either drive or fly. By road: about 8 to 9 hours via Ngorongoro, usually done as part of a safari By air: a scenic flight of about 1 to 1.5 hours from Arusha Airport to airstrips inside the park Most travelers drive one way and fly the other, or fly both ways if short on time.

  • Costs depend on season, accommodation and length. As a general guide, budget camping safaris start around $250 to $350 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris around $450 to $700, and luxury safaris from $800 or more. Park fees, accommodation, transport and guide are the main cost factors. Contact us for a custom quote.

  • Yes. Serengeti is a wonderful family destination, and private safaris let you set your own pace with flexible game drive times. Lodge and camp age policies vary, and some have minimum ages for game drives, so choose family-friendly properties. Younger children may find the long drives tiring.

  • Central (Seronera): year-round wildlife and excellent big cat sightings Northern (Kogatende): Mara River crossings from July to October Western (Grumeti): river crossings and crocodiles, best from May to July Southern (Ndutu): calving season from January to March

  • Yes. The Mara River crossings take place in northern Serengeti, most reliably between July and October. It's a dramatic sight as herds cross crocodile-filled waters. Timing is unpredictable, so a stay of several nights in the north gives you the best chance.

  • The herds are always in the Serengeti, but their exact location and timing depend on rainfall and grazing, so specific events such as river crossings can't be guaranteed. An experienced guide tracks the herds daily and positions you where the action is likely to be.

Plan Your Serengeti Safari With a

With A Team Based In Tanzania

Tell us when you're travelling, how many people are in your group and what you'd most like to experience. We'll help you choose the right Serengeti region, accommodation and itinerary for your trip.