​Best Time to Visit – Serengeti NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

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The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general – with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. 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 wildebeest calving is from late January to February.

Best Time January-February for the wildebeest calving; June-September for general wildlife viewing with a chance of seeing the wildebeest crossing of the Grumeti River (June-July) or the Mara River (September)
High Season Most of the year – July to March (The Serengeti will be crowded around the Seronera area)
Low Season April and May (Lower rated may apply)
Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather March and April (Peak of Wet season)

June to October –Dry Season

  • 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

Wildlife Photos

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November to May –Wet Season

  • Late January to February is the time to see the calving – this is an excellent time to see predator action
  • The scenery is lush
  • 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

Wildlife Photos
+23 Photos

Best Time to Go to Tanzania by Major Park

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