Best Time To Visit Serengeti National Park

What is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park?

The best time to visit Serengeti National Park is during the dry season from June to October. These months offer ideal conditions for wildlife viewing, the grasses are shorter, making wildlife spotting easier, the animals gather around rivers and waterholes, and the Great Migration is at its peak. Bright sunny days with afternoon temperatures around 25°C (77°F) make for pleasant safari experiences. Although the park can get crowded, especially around the Seronera area, the opportunities for witnessing iconic river crossings and spotting diverse wildlife make it worthwhile. The dry season is also ideal for birdwatching, with numerous species in full display.

Peak Season (June to October)

Thinning bush makes wildlife easier to spot.
Animals gather around rivers and waterholes.
Bright days and lots of sunshine with temperatures around 25°C (77°F).
Less chance of malaria due to fewer mosquitoes.
Best time to observe the Great Migration and iconic river crossings.
The park gets crowded, especially in the Seronera area.
Cold nights and early mornings with temperatures around 14°C (57°F).
Occasional cold fronts can bring temperatures close to freezing.

Shoulder Season (November to May)

Late January to February is ideal for witnessing calving in the Southern Serengeti, attracting predator action.
Lush, green landscapes.
Fewer tourists and lower rates, particularly in April and May.
Excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Short afternoon storms from November to February seldom interfere with activities.
March to May is the peak of the wet season with frequent rain, though seldom all day.
Often cloudy weather.
January to March can be crowded around the Seronera area.

Off-Season (March to May)

Fewer tourists and lower rates, offering a quieter experience.
Beautiful, green landscapes and abundant birdlife.
Frequent rain makes some roads impassable.
Reduced wildlife sightings as animals disperse.
Limited safari activities due to rain.
Challenging conditions for photography.
Some lodges and camps may close due to low visitor numbers.

Weather in Serengeti National Park

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Serengeti National Park Travel Packages

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5 Days / 4 Nights

Classic Tanzania Tour Package

Serengeti National Park(2N) → Ngorongoro Conservation Area(1N) → Tarangire National Park

$ 1,745

12% off

$1,535/person

3 Days / 2 Nights

Serengeti 2 Nights Package With Flight

Serengeti National Park(2N)

$ 1,565

8% off

$1,432/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

7 Days Serengeti Safari Package

Arusha (1N) → Lake Manyara (1N) → Serengeti (2N) → Ngorongoro (2N) → Arusha (0N)

$ 2,273

6% off

$2,133/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

9-Day Special Serengeti Safari Package: Great M...

Arusha (0N) → Arusha National Park (1N) → Tarangire (1N) → Lake Manyara (1N) → Ngorongoro (1N) → Ndutu (2N) → Serengeti (2N) → Arusha (0N)

$ 2,803

4% off

$2,666/person

10 Days / 9 Nights

10 Days East African Safari Adventure: Masai Ma...

Arusha (0N) → Tarangire (1N) → Lake Manyara (0N) → Karatu (1N) → Ngorongoro Crater (0N) → Serengeti (2N) → Lake Victoria (1N) → Masai Mara (4N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 4,753

25% off

$3,539/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

4-Day Ngorongoro and Serengeti Safari Package

Zanzibar (0N) → Serengeti (1N) → Ngorongoro (2N) → Arusha (0N)

$ 1,469

9% off

$1,334/person

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More about Best Time to Travel to Serengeti National Park

The Great Migration Timeline

June: The Great Migration begins its journey towards the western corridor of the park. Wildlife sightings include wildebeests, zebras, Thomson's gazelles, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and various bird species. June marks the start of the peak season.
July: The Great Migration reaches the western corridor, and the wildebeest river crossings become more frequent. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles are abundant. Birdwatchers can spot species such as ostriches, secretary birds, and hornbills.
August: The wildebeest crossings continue in the western corridor. The northern Serengeti becomes a focal point, with large concentrations of wildebeests, zebras, and predators. Birdlife remains vibrant, including vultures, eagles, and colourful bee-eaters.
September: The Great Migration moves into the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya. Witness the thrilling river crossings and predator-prey interactions. September is still part of the peak season, so expect larger crowds.
October: The herds begin their return journey towards the central and eastern Serengeti. Predators remain active, and resident wildlife populations offer excellent game-viewing opportunities. Bird species such as crowned cranes, bustards, and lovebirds can be spotted.
November: The short rains start, rejuvenating the landscapes and resulting in lush greenery. Wildlife disperses, but the park remains a scenic destination. Birdwatchers can enjoy observing migratory and resident species.
December to February: These months mark the short dry season and are characterized by scattered showers. Wildlife is easier to spot as the grasses are shorter. Visitors can witness large herbivores like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, and various antelope species. Birdlife is vibrant, with species like raptors, kingfishers, and starlings.

Best Time to Witness the Great Migration

Winter is ideal for observing the herds in Southern Serengeti, while the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti are prime locations during the summer and autumn months. However, nature's unpredictability means luck plays a significant role in witnessing the dramatic river crossings, where millions of animals navigate treacherous rapids and crocodile-infested waters. Nevertheless, by selecting the appropriate region of the Serengeti at the right time, large herds are typically visible, with a good chance of encountering impressive migratory movements.

Rainfall in Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park experiences two main rainy seasons. The first is the short rains, occurring from November to December, which mark the end of the dry season. These rains are somewhat unpredictable but typically do not significantly disrupt safari plans. The second, longer rainy season stretches from March to May, with this period being the wettest of the year. While it doesn’t usually rain all day, showers are frequent, transforming the landscape into lush greenery and earning this time of year the nickname ‘green season’. Occasionally, the two rainy periods may merge into one extended season, particularly in the northern areas, or the short rains may be minimal, especially in the southeast.