A safari adventure to the home of wildlife’s greatest spectacle is the ultimate goal for every true safari enthusiast. Widely known as one of the world’s largest and most unspoiled tracts of wilderness, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous park with some of the world’s best game-viewing. From the calving grounds of Ndutu to the Big 5 playground of the Seronera to the dramatic river crossing in Kogatende and Grumeti, the Serengeti boasts a once in a lifetime year-round African safari experience.
If you are ready to experience the African wilderness for yourself but don’t know where to start, here’s everything you should know before booking your Serengeti safari tour;
Crowds
The number of people you are likely to come in contact with would depend on which time of the year you visit. Some people prefer going during the calving season (February / March) while others prefer going during the River-crossing season at the Grumeti River (June to mid-July) and the Mara River (August to October). There are usually many more visitors during the peak / river-crossing season.
Group or Private Safari?
A group safari offers you the opportunity to share your experience with other tourists and adventurers alike while a private safari gives a tailored and personal experience. A private safari is more flexible and caters to the traveler’s needs while a group safari is pre-planned catered for according to the majority of the group.
When the herds are on the Southern plains, a group or scheduled safari is fine because the route only goes as far as the central Serengeti and sometimes up to Lobo or the Grumeti River. No group or scheduled safari would go to the Mara on the Tanzanian side. To see the crossing in the Serengeti, you would have to fly there or go on a private safari.
What else can a Serengeti safari be combined with
Asides visiting the Serengeti National Park, there are several other great activities you can enjoy to compliment your Serengeti safari. A short flight to Zanzibar, a scenic hot-air balloon safari to catch a glimpse of the migration from a bird’s eye view, or climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. Tanzania boasts other wonderful parks that you can combine your Serengeti safari with including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Best Time to Visit
While the Serengeti can be visited all through the year, the best time to visit the Serengeti largely depends on your interest and what you are on the lookout for. If you want to witness the famous river-crossings of the wildebeest migration, then you should be heading to the northern part of the Serengeti between July and September. On the other hand, if you want to arrive when the crowds are fewer and benefit from special discounts, then April and May would be your best bet.
Serengeti National Park Temperature
The Serengeti National Park temperature is warmest with the highest average high temperature in January, February, March at around 20 degrees C, while months with the lowest average high temperature are May, June, and July at around 25 degrees C. The Serengeti weather in October is a turning point as the rains prepare to start falling towards the end of the month and through November.
Tanzania’s weather is typically tropical, particularly on the coast where heat and humidity prevail while the northwestern highlands are consistently cool and the central plateau remains dry and arid all year round. From late April to the second half of the weather in May, rainfall is usually at high levels and camps and lodges are not as busy as they usually are during the peak season so you will likely get a lot of discounts. Wildlife viewing might be a bit limited due to the rains but the scenery is green and blooming.
Resident animals become concentrated around the remaining sources of water in the park by mid-June through July and August. The weather in the Serengeti in August is dry and humid but by October, you can feel the change in atmosphere as the dry season comes to an end towards the end of the month.
What to Pack
Be sure to pack some long pants and a comfortable sweater for the cold morning and nights, comfortable sneakers or shoes, polarised sunglasses and hats, camera, external battery packs for your phone, extra batteries for your camera, sturdy binoculars, and digital memory cards. The Serengeti weather in May can be a bit chilly so be sure to pack accordingly.
Accommodation
For those on a budget with a wild sense of adventure, the Serengeti wildlife camp is a once in a lifetime experience. Tented camps on the Serengeti are not an option when traveling with kids but it is the perfect addition to a Serengeti safari as they are abundant and they offer a fantastic blend between being out in the wilderness and having the comfort of a hotel. If you want the comfort of a home, the Serengeti boasts several mid-range and luxury brick and mortar lodges and hotels.
If you are looking to visit the Serengeti for an exciting and unforgettable African safari, then let Acacia Collections work with you to plan the perfect itinerary. Get in touch with us today to get started.
