Best Time to Visit Serengeti
Serengeti National Park is known as one of the best places to visit in Tanzania especially for those coming to the African continent for wildlife viewing and adventure. While Serengeti safaris can be booked all year round, there are some months that are better than others for exploring this amazing park.
The best time for you to visit Serengeti will depend on what you want to see and the money you want to spend. Serengeti offers wildlife viewing all year round, but there are some months that are better than others for spotting the Big 5, birds, and other species that live here.
When to Visit Serengeti
Here is a quick guide on when to visit Serengeti:
- Best time to spot all the animals: June through September
- Best time to see the animals crossing the Grumeti River: June and July
- Best time to see the animals crossing the Mara River: September
- Best weather: June through October
- Worst weather: March through May (high rainfall)
- Best time to visit to save money: April and May (wet season means lower rates)
- High season: July to March (some parts of the park will be very crowded though)
Dry Season (June To October)
We recommend most safari travellers to come to Serengeti come between June through October. This is the dry season. Not all months during the dry season are equal though. June through September are prime months for wildlife viewing.
Since the rainy season can always start a bit early, you might see some short rainfalls during the day in October. Animals are easier to spot during the dry months because there is less vegetation. With the savannas and plains dried out, you can easily see the animals moving around.
The animals are also more likely to be spotted around waterholes to cool off from the sun. Mosquitoes are less active during dry months, so the risk of contracting malaria is far less compared to wet months.
The Great Migration
The bulk of the Great Migration happens during the dry months. June and July is the best time to see the migration in the western part of the park. If you’re visiting in August or September, your safari guide will take you to the northern part of the park to see the herds of wildebeests.
Who Should Visit Serengeti During the Dry Season?
With little to no rainfall, the dry season is the prime time to do walking safaris. If your heart is set on walking through the Serengeti, you will enjoy your time much more on dry sunny days rather than having to walk through the rain and mud.
The dry season is also better for those that plan to camp. While many of the campsites offer canvas waterproof tents, the experience is much more enjoyable when the weather is dry. If you plan to stay in lodges during your stay in Serengeti, the rain will not disturb your accommodation as much as camping travellers.
Cons of Visiting During the Dry Season
The dry season does get a little cold in the mornings and evenings, but not enough to deter visitors. Just make sure to bring a jacket for the colder days so you don’t feel uncomfortable. The Seronera area of Serengeti also gets very crowded during the dry season.
Many predators such as lions and leopards care spotted here since it’s known as the predator capital of the world. While you are almost always guaranteed to see lions and cheetahs in this area, during the dry season it becomes overcrowded with safari cars and tourists.
It might be hard to see the animals clearly and snap a good photo of them.
Wet Season (November To May)
The wet season is a less common time to visit Serengeti because the rainfall makes the vegetation very high. This makes it harder to see animals since they can easily hide in the greenery.
While the vegetation makes it more difficult to see animals, Serengeti is beautiful during this time. The lush scenery is much prettier to look at compared to the dry and dusty terrain during the dry season. Serengeti also offers wildlife viewing all year round.
It’s not impossible to view wildlife in the wet months. With the expertise of the safari guide, you should still be able to see the Big 5 as well as other species. Although November to May is considered the wet season, not all the months see the same amount of rainfall.
March, April, and May see the most rainfall. The other months only see a few hours of rain in the afternoons. Your safari game drives can easily be planned around these few rainy hours.
Who Should Visit Serengeti During the Wet Season?
The later months of the wet season are the low season. Safari prices and lodges are much cheaper during these months. If you want to save money or are on a tight budget, visiting during the wet season is more practical. January and February is the calving season for wildebeests.
If you want to see baby wildebeests being born, this is the time to come. It’s also an excellent time to see predators like lions and leopards in action. Some people come to Serengeti to see the thousands of different birds instead of the Big 5.
If you are an avid bird watcher, head to Serengeti during the wet season as the birds are more active during this time.
Cons of Visiting During the Wet Season
March to May is the peak wet season. It will often heavy rain for many hours during the day which can damper your holiday. While the prices might be lower, consider whether the savings is worth it if you can’t see all the animals you want to see.
The grown-up vegetation makes it harder to see the animals, but not impossible. Your guide might need to spend more time driving around the park so you can spot everything well.
With the constant rain, walking safaris are not as fun. If you want to do a walking safari, the dry season is better.
Serengeti is Ready to Welcome You All Year-Round!
While the dry season is the most active time of year for the animals, Serengeti offers wildlife viewing during all months of the year. No matter when you choose to travel to this magnficient national park, the safari guides, lodge staff, and Big 5 are ready to welcome you!
