North Serengeti 

North Serengeti remains a secluded and serene destination that attracts few visitors compared to the busier central plains of the Serengeti. It lies 55 miles (88 km) north of Seronera and serves as a corridor for the wildebeest migration heading north towards the great Mara River. This wilderness offers a change of scenery, with rolling hills, valleys, woodlands, and riverine forests, compared to the open grasslands of the southern plains.

At a Glance

Must See Tourist Attractions

• Migration crossing at the Mara River 

• Bologonja springs

• The large concentration of elephants

• Rare Oribi Antelope

• Black Rhinos

• Big cat viewing in the Lobo Valley

Size

± 2,200 square miles (± 5,700km²)

Landscape

Rolling hills, valleys, acacia woodlands, riverine forests, kopjes, rivers, and grassland.

Main Species

Lions, cheetahs, leopards, blue wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, impalas, topi, hartebeest, elephants, black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, giraffes, crocodiles, warthogs, jackals, African buffaloes, hyena, serval, bat ear fox, vervet monkeys, and the rare oribi antelope.

The Wonder of the Wild & Surrounds

Tanzania is considered one of the safest countries to visit, that includes the North Serengeti region. This region includes parts of the Ikorongo Controlled Area and the Liliondo Game Controlled Area, which are integral to the wildebeest migration routes north and southbound. 

The Mara River, the only permanent flowing river in the Serengeti, is the area's lifeline. It creates a natural border between North Serengeti and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, one of the 15 best safaris in Africa. 

The crossing attracts thousands of tourists, but most are on the Kenyan side of the river, leaving you free to enjoy the dramatic river crossing without competing for the best spots.

Apart from the dramatic river crossing, our safari tour guides use their skills to track animals and help you discover other treasures that include:

• Lamia Triangle, which is popular for spotting birds.

• Wogukuria, which has a high concentration of cheetahs.

• Bologonja Springs attracts hordes of animals as they search for the refreshing waters.

• Lobo Valley, where all three big cats roam (lions, cheetahs, leopards)

• Upper Grumeti Woodlands, a gallery forest preferred by the vervet monkeys

Depending on the season, you can sometimes feel alone in this vast wilderness, surrounded by the raw beauty of nature.

Our professional tour guides know the best spots to find wildlife and discover hidden gems, ensuring you experience the peaceful solitude of nature and the thrill of the wild. 

The sounds are as captivating as the scenery. On our leisurely safari package tour, you have the time to listen to the air fill with the chorus of bird calls, the distant roar of lions, the rumbling of elephants, and the distinctive laugh of hyenas. 

Closer to the river, you hear the deep grunts of hippos as they wallow in the waters, frogs croaking, and kingfishers splashing in the water as they fish for the daily catch.

The Diverse Geography

The landscape of this remote, less-traveled area of the park is breathtaking and a welcomed change from the vast open grasslands of central and south Serengeti. 

It consists of rolling hills, undulating grasslands, scattered acacia woodlands, and lush riverine forests, offering stunning backdrops for wildlife photography. 

The iconic granite kopjes litter the open fields and serve more than a scenic view. The rocky outcrops provide the perfect outlook post for lions and leopards, scanning the area for their next hunt and shelter for klipspringers.

If you're lucky, you may see lions stretched out on top of the kopjes as they laze about or scan for prey.

A few miles down from the Bologonja springs, you can find the Larelemangi salt licks. The area's mineral-rich soil patches offer essential salts and nutrients to animals during the dry seasons when the vegetation is low in nutritional value. 

The Majestic Wildlife

During your daily routine, our tour guides will find the best viewing spot as you watch over 2 million animals brave the currents of the mighty river during the Great Migration, which occurs from June to July. 

The herds move northwards towards the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and then again from September to November on their journey south to the open plains of the Serengeti.

There are 10 sites where you can view the Mara river crossing with crossing poinst numbered from1 to 10 with the numbers 4, 7, and 10 being the most popular sites to view the dramatic passage across to the Maasai Mara Game reserve.

Apart from the influx of wildlife during migration periods, the North Serengeti is home to a diversity of resident wildlife. Here, you will find the largest concentration of elephants, see the black rhino, and catch a glimpse of the rare oribi antelope and elusive African wild dog.

The resident buffaloes, also known as Cape Buffaloes, are also a common sight near the Bologonja Springs and Lobo Valleys, where the mixed terrain of open grasslands, scattered woodlands, and rivers provides them with a permanent home.  

These giants are social and easily recognizable by their massive curved horns and muscular build. They have a protective nature and can get aggressive when threatened, making them formidable opponents to lions.

North Serengeti is a predator’s playground. The diverse landscape makes it the ideal spot to witness the majestic big cats within the same region.

The Lobo Valley is known for better sightings of large lion prides. Here, you can find lions scanning the horizon for prey from the kopjes or lounging under the shade of acacia trees.

The woodland of Upper Grumeti is the ideal home for the elusive leopard and our skilled tour guides know where they like to hide. You can often find them draped over a tree branch in the heat of the day.

Meanwhile, the cheetahs prefer the open plains of the Wogakuria and Lamai Triangle, where the open spaces allow them to demonstrate why they are the fastest cats on earth.

At the same time, you can catch a glimpse of the rare Oribi antelope in its natural surroundings. The reddish-brown coat is highlighted with a white underbelly, which blends well into the surroundings during the dry season. These shy and elusive animals are normally found in small groups of 2 to 10 antelopes, so keep your eyes peeled.

Herbivores 

Hippopotamus

Elephant

Giraffe

Buffalo

Topi

Wildebeest

Zebra

Oribi 

Impala

Gazelles

Elands

Warthogs

Baboons 

Vervet monkeys

Kudu

Bushbuck

Reedbuck

Predators

Lions

Cheetahs

Leopard

Crocodiles

Hyena

Serval

Bat-eared fox

Birds

Redheaded Weavers

Lovebirds 

Rollers

Kingfishers

Turaco

Helmet Shrikes

Eagles

Hoopoes

Crowned Cranes

Woodpeckers

Cultures and History

North Serengeti offers more than just game drives; it also offers cultural experiences. Travelers can also experience the rich tapestry of local groups by visiting the local markets of the Maasai Mara and Kuria communities.

Exploring the Maasai villages gives you an insight into the traditional customs and way of life. The traditional dance (adumu), beadwork, and cattle herding are central to their way of life.

Tribes

Because of their proximity to Kenya, the Maasai Mara are the most prominent ethnic group in this area. Apart from the two official languages in Tanzania, they speak Maa, which is part of the Nilotic language family.

Their neighbors, the Kuria, are a Bantu ethnic group that originated from the Middle East and migrated south in search of grazing for their cattle before they settled in North Tanzania.

Another tribe that resides in the Mara District is the Ikoma. They are a small linguistic group estimated at about 15,000 people who speak Ikoma, a simple Bantu language.

Best Time To Visit 

This region remains a fantastic destination year-round. The peak season is July to October during the great migration. There are two opportunities to see the river crossing: the Grumeti River crossing from June to July and the Mara River crossing in September.

The resident wildlife and diverse landscape make it just as riveting during the off-peak season, offering a more private experience due to the few tourists.

Getting There

The fastest way to travel to North Serengeti from Seronera is to take a short 30-to-45-minute flight to one of the two airstrips in the north, Kogatende or Lamai Airstrip. 

Traveling this way gives you an aerial view of the scenery and a different perspective of the spectacular beauty beneath you.

If you are not in a hurry and want a more scenic view, traveling by road offers a more immersive experience. Tanzania Safari tour guides know the area and the best way to reach your destination safely.

The journey north from Central Serengeti to the Maasai Mara River crossing is approximately 94 miles (150 km) and can take about 5 to 6 hours, depending on the road conditions.

GPS Coordinates (crossing point #7 at Mara River): 1°33'57"S 34°54'23"E 

GPS Coordinates (Kogatende airstrip, closest airstrip to the Mara River): 1°33'56"S 34°53'08"E

Lodging Near North Serengeti 

Attractions Near North Serengeti

• Lobo Valley

• Upper Grumeti Woodlands

• Mara River

• Lamai Triangle

• Wogakuria

• Bologonia Springs