Experiencing a Serengeti safari, complete with expansive plains and ample opportunity for wildlife viewing, is one of the purest safari experiences you could ever dream of.
Hailed as one of the largest and most well-preserved regions of wilderness, the Serengeti is one of the world’s most famous nature reserves and is home to some of the best wildlife around.
Exploring the Serengeti includes witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration, the big cat playground in Seronera, river crossings in Kogatende and viewing the many other Serengeti animals!
We’ve compiled a list of all the reasons why you should go on a Serengeti safari.
6 Reasons to go on a Serengeti safari
The beauty of the Serengeti is that you can visit year-round and still expect an unforgettable experience. A Serengeti National Park safari is a real bucket-list adventure!
Here’s out list of the top reasons why you should book a Serengeti safari for your next trip to Africa!
The incredible wildlife in the Serengeti
Home to a plethora of wildlife, birds, insects and more, the wildlife inhabiting the region is one of the most obvious reasons why the Serengeti is so famous – and is a big reason why you should consider going on a safari in Tanzania.
The Serengeti is home to the Big Five – which is a group of some of the world’s most iconic animals, namely the leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo. It can be challenging to find a location that houses all of these animals together. The fact that all five can be spotted with relative ease makes the Serengeti a top-notch choice for Tanzania safaris.
Pro and hobbyist photographers can look forward to snapping beautiful photographs of the Big Five though, it can be more challenging to view rhinos in the open plains.
The various regions in the Serengeti are home to different kinds of wildlife. In the Seronera region, for example, you’ll have a higher chance of viewing leopards, lions and cheetahs, whereas buffalo are scattered throughout the Serengeti National Park.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
One of the main attractions for viewing Serengeti animals is the Great Wildebeest Migration. This annual wildlife phenomenon is one of the largest animal migrations in the world. More than 2 million wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of fertile grazing plains.
Because the wildebeest migrate in a circular motion with the Serengeti at the centre of their activity, you can view the Great Wildebeest Migration year-round while on a Tanzania safari. From July to October, the wildebeest can be seen in the Northern Plains of the Serengeti, offering you the chance to view a mass crossing over the Mara River.
Here, thousands of wildebeest and various antelope must race across crocodile-infested water to safety across the river. Nature in action – the fight between predator and prey – is fascinating to witness.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we can’t recommend it enough!
Incredible accommodation options
When heading off on a Serengeti tour, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay. With options ranging from luxurious lodges to tented camps. No matter the length of your trip, you’ll find something that will work perfectly for you.
Camping on the plains of the Serengeti is a truly unforgettable experience. Can you imagine falling asleep listening to the concert of the bush each night? It’s something you’ll seriously appreciate once you’ve experienced it – there is nothing quite like it!
One of our top accommodation recommendations is Serengeti Under Canvas. This luxury, semi-permanent camp follows the migrating herds over the course of the year. The nomadic camp is set up and broken down every few months.
Camps are set up strategically so that they are within range of the migration itself. Right next to the action, guests have a front-row seat to this natural spectacle, and only have the canvas walls of the tent separating them from the wild Serengeti.
If you prefer an even more comfortable stay, there are also several luxury lodges available throughout the park. Expect luxury rooms paired with fine-dining experiences, swimming pools to cool off in, evening entertainment and daily activities available to keep you (and the kids) entertained throughout your stay.
Regardless of the option you choose, we’re confident that you’ll have an amazing holiday when going on a Serengeti safari!
Go on a hot air balloon safari
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, there’s plenty of adventurous activities to get up to during your Serengeti National Park safari!
You can arrange a hot air balloon safari in both the northern and central regions of the Serengeti. This includes optional extras like champagne or breakfast, ensuring that you start your day out on the plains like a champion.
This experience, of getting a birds-eye view of the plains of Africa, is truly unforgettable and would make for a fantastic experience for a proposal, honeymoon or anniversary.
Let your safari expert know if you’d like to add this to your personalised itinerary!
Sunrise and sunset game drives
You’re going to be heading out on many game drives throughout your stay in the Serengeti, but the best ones are generally the sunrise and sunset game drives.
There’s nothing more exciting than starting your day in the bush with an early-morning adventure, overlooking the expansive plains and burgeoning wildlife in the beautiful Serengeti!
If you aren’t a huge fan of getting up before the birds, then perhaps you’ll prefer a sunset game drive. It’s hard to find a sunset as incredible as an African sunset, and experiencing one in the bush (with a sundowner in hand) is utterly breathtaking.
There’s also the option of going on a night game drive, where you’ll get to explore the bush after dark. This is when the nocturnal animals start coming out, bringing a completely different experience to what you’re used to seeing in the day.
Tip: If you’re travelling during the winter months, make sure to pack something warm for your sunrise and sunset game drives as part of the drives will be in the dark when it can be quite chilly! Most game drives will, however, provide you with cosy blankets and hot coffee to keep you warm and toasty on the drive.
Unforgettable photo opportunities!
We’ve mentioned it already, but it’s worth noting again that the Serengeti truly is a wildlife photographer’s dream destination. There are loads of photography opportunities during a Tanzania safari.
You can anticipate capturing a leopard’s coat shimmering in the sun, an unforgettable African sunset, the motion of the Great Wildebeest Migration or the contrasting strips of zebra on the plains. And, if you time it right, you might just be able to capture the wildlife with their young!
It’s a trip of a lifetime!
Going on a Serengeti safari is one of the most memorable experiences you could ever imagine! From bright orange sunsets to hot air balloon rides, the Great Wildebeest Migration and the ample opportunities to view the Serengeti animals and scenery. You’ll be spoiled for choice and can expect a truly unforgettable holiday.
Tanzania is well-located in East Africa for an extended journey to other national parks or regions, including the famous Ngorongoro Crater or even crossing the border to see the Masai Mara in Kenya. Experiencing one of the many Tanzania safari tours is sure to be unforgettable and can be customised to include any experience you’d like.
Regardless of where you choose to stay, we guarantee you’ll love your Serengeti safari. If you have any enquiries about travelling to the Serengeti, we’d love to hear from you.