Serengeti safari tours: which area and when
The Serengeti is huge, and the area you choose matters more than the lodge — matching it to the month makes all the difference.
Serengeti Safari · Tanzania safari packages · Tanzania safari holidays
The Serengeti ecosystem is large enough that no single camp sees the whole of it. Which area suits you depends heavily on the month you travel and whether the Great Migration herds are the main draw or simply a bonus.
Serengeti areas by season
| Area | Best months | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Central (Seronera) | Year-round | Resident predators |
| Southern plains | January-March | Calving season |
| Northern (Mara River) | July-October | River crossings |
Highlights
- Central Serengeti (Seronera)
- Following the herds
- Moving between areas by air
01
Central Serengeti (Seronera)
The Seronera valley holds resident lion, leopard and cheetah populations year-round, which makes it a reasonably safe choice whatever month you visit, migration or not.
02
Following the herds
The southern plains suit the calving season, roughly January to March; the northern Mara River area suits the river-crossing period, roughly July to October. Mobile tented camps relocate with the herds between these zones.
03
Moving between areas by air
Light-aircraft flights connect the Serengeti's airstrips, allowing a stay split between two areas without losing a day to driving on rough roads.
Dos
- Wear neutral colours — khaki, olive, sand
- Pack layers for cold early game drives
- Stay seated and keep voices low near animals
- Follow your guide's instructions at all times
- Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen
Don'ts
- Don't wear bright colours, white or camouflage
- Don't feed or call to animals
- Don't leave the vehicle unless your guide says so
- Don't use drones — they need special permits
- Don't bring plastic bags (banned in Kenya and Tanzania)
What's usually included
- Accommodation in your chosen level
- Meals as listed in your itinerary
- Game drives with a professional guide
- Park and conservancy entry fees
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Usually not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Personal items and souvenirs
- Premium drinks unless all-inclusive
- Optional activities not in your itinerary
Keep exploring
Published fees to plan around
Sources checked 7 October 2026 · US dollars · fees only, not full safari prices
| Fee | Published amount | Who and when |
|---|---|---|
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area · adult entry | US$70.80 | Non-East African citizen aged 16 or above, per person. Published permit is valid for one entry within 24 hours. Accommodation and vehicle charges are separate.Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority tariffs |
| Ngorongoro · crater service | US$295 | Non-East African citizens, per vehicle per crater trip, not per person. This is additional to conservation-area entry.Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority tariffs |
Your accommodation and flights need a quote for your dates, room arrangement and availability. Compare the full journey total, not a nightly headline: meals, transport, guiding, entry fees and optional activities should be clear. Published tariffs may change; we reconfirm the applicable fees before you book.
Our editorial values
Original travel guidance by Dennis Njoroge, CEO of Perch Africa Safaris. Wildlife and weather are never guaranteed. Published fees link to their authority sources; camp and flight prices are confirmed for your own journey. You receive your full itinerary and matching proforma before payment.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days should I spend in the Serengeti?
Four nights is a reasonable minimum, ideally split between two areas to see more than one phase of the ecosystem.
