When is the best time to visit The Serengeti? – Our month by month guide
Some travelers argue the best time to visit Serengeti National Park is between June and October. But in fact, you can visit Serengeti all year-round for an exceptional safari. Not only is it the oldest park in Tanzania, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by six huge reserve allowing the wildebeest migration to continue today. Having been protected since 1951, wildlife numbers and diverse are incredible. On a safari in Tanzania, you can see a wide array of wildlife, including the Big 5 – lion, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos.
Tanzania has a tropical climate devoid of winter or summer, with pleasant temperatures year round. However, the dry season, from June to October is considered the best time to visit Serengeti to see the wildlife. The vegetation is spars, and all life congregates near water sources, making it easy to spot the game. The famous river crossings of the Great Wildebeest Migration also occurring during the dry season.
When is the high season in the Serengeti National Park?
The high season in the Serengeti National Park is from June to October and mid-December to February, during which peak season prices are charged. There is a short break in November, which is considered to be low season.
The Long Dry Season
The dry season occurs from June to October, and it is the best time for wildlife viewing in the Serengeti National Park. It is also the peak of the wildebeest migration when the river-crossings, mega-herds can be observed in several places in the park. As a result, sections of the park can get busy during these months. In September and October, the great herds move into Kenya.
The Short Dry Season
Another short dry season occurs in January and February in Tanzania, coinciding with the wildebeest calving season. During this time, around 500,000 calves are born in a matter of weeks, which attracts a high concentration of predators. It is truly a magnificent sight to behold, and with fewer visitors in the park, the experience is more exciting and intimate.
When is the low season in the Serengeti National Park?
From November and mid-December, the short rains arrive, providing relief to the dry landscapes after a five months long dry period. The signal the start of the Green Season in the Serengeti. While afternoon thunderstorms are possible, wildlife viewing is still great, and the savannahs are lush and thriving. At this time, the wildebeests in Kenya’s Masai Mara migrate southward and return to Tanzania. November is considered low or shoulder season. However due to the festivals around the holidays, the weeks from mid-December are considered high season.
The low season in Tanzania lasts from March until May, coinciding with the long rains. Heavy rainfall occurs daily during this period and often arrives in dramatic passing thunderstorms, creating exceptional landscape photography conditions.
Although Serengeti is still open, game spotting is challenging due to dense vegetation, and the wildlife scatters into the vast plains without needing their dry season water sources. Still, exploring the park with our skilled guides in the rainy season will allow you to see a range of wildlife even in the rain season, and with a bit of luck, you might even spot the Big 5.
However, if you hope to see as much wildlife as on your Serengeti Safari, avoid visiting during the dry season. However, for people who enjoy being in nature, it is an excellent time as there are fewer visitors. Low-season prices, and the possibility to book at the last minute. Additionally, witnessing the expansive green landscapes creates a sense of new beginnings in the plains of Serengeti, making it a beautiful place to be.
How to plan a safari to the Serengeti National Park
Deciding when to visit the Serengeti National Park can be overwhelming with so much online information available. However, our Tour Consultants are here to help.
The ideal way to determine the best time for a Serengeti Safari is by speaking with one of our experts for a no-obligation consultation. They will be pleased to share their passion for Tanzania with you, and within a short conservation, you will receive all the information you need.