Ranked as one of the most famous national parks on the planet, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania never ceases to amaze tourists with its beautiful endless plains, vegetation, and the variety of wildlife. Serengeti is arguably one of the best places to visit for a safari all year round and its location gives travelers a chance to maximize the Northern Circuit Tanzania safari route by visiting Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara National parks.

Experiencing the world famous Great wildebeest Migration in Serengeti largely depends on when travelers choose to visit and therefore  knowing the best time to visit Serengeti is something every Wildebeest migration enthusiasts should take note of.  Basing on the travelers interest, Serengeti can be visited throughout the year but it being a vast ecosystem covering an area of 30000 square kilometres with each part of the park offering a different migration experience, when to visit and where to stay typically depends on traveler’s personal interests.

For example if traveler want to witness the famous wildebeest migration river crossings, they have stay in the northern part of the Serengeti around July and September while those who intend to arrive at a time when there are less crowds and special discounts have to visit between April or May. Here is our month by month Serengeti Seasons Guide to help you plan your Serengeti Migration trip on a Tanzania safari:

JANUARY TO FEBRUARY

Marking the beginning of the of the Tanzania safari green season, the Months of January to  February see the rolling plains of the Serengeti featuring a beautiful shade of green with minimal dust levels and good wildlife viewing opportunities more especially around the Ndutu plains in the south of Serengeti. It’s during this season that the wildebeest migration is concentrated in the Serengeti plains and many animals start birthing in February(Calving Season)  to coincide with the green season. This period is also fantastic for bird watching activities as the park is full of   migratory birds.

MARCH TO APRIL

These Months mark the end of the green season and the beginning of the off-peak season. The weather is fairly wet with lush and green grasslands especially in March as a result the wildebeest herds move slowly in order to be able to feed the calves. In April the weather is wet with rains especially in the evenings and the wildebeest herds  are starting to move a little bit faster as the calves and foals become mobile making April one of the best time to watch the wildebeest herds and get much photographic opportunities.

MAY

This Month provides a great opportunity for wildlife action photography as the herds are gathering speed and the calves are fully operational moving quickly towards the Western part of Serengeti. The Weather is so wet and the scenery is green and blooming. During the month of May, wildlife viewing is limited as a result of much rain which make the roads slippery and impassible though you are likely to get a lot discounts since most camps and lodges are not busy.

JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST

June is traditionally the Grumeti River crossing period though the fun and intensity depends on the water levels of Grumeti River. It marks the beginning of the dry season and the peak season for safari travellers to the Serengeti and the herds are spread out which provides a rewarding experience. July marks the starts of the Mara River crossing as well as the mating season. The herds are moving quicker in search of water and green grass since it’s a dry season and along the way they encounter crocodiles in the Grumeti River and Mara River during the dramatic River crossing. Finally August is the best Month to witness the dramatic Mara River Crossing in both Serengeti and Masai Mara. The dry weather is getting overdue and the herds are moving faster in search of water and greener grass leading them into the crocodiles infested Mara River.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

September provides one last opportunity to witness the dramatic Mara River Crossing as the famous river crossings along the Mara River are still visible during this period since the migrating herds travel in large batches. Around October the dry season is approaching its climax and the herds are moving back into the Serengeti through the Loliondo in the Eastern part of Serengeti.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

November is characterized by short rains that refresh the air and wash away the dust from the dry season and the herds are now concentrated in the Lobo area, Seronera Valley and the Mbuzi Mawe area therefore a better time of the year to see the wildebeests.  December is a busier and wet season as the wildebeest herds are moving quicker towards the south plains.