West Serengeti

West Serengeti plays a pivotal role in sustaining the Great Migration of wildebeest and the ensuing antelopes and zebras that traverse through its rivers and woodlands. This less-travelled corner of the Serengeti offers thrilling game drives with opportunities to view large populations of predators, especially lions. From the thundering of hooves and the haunting calls of the lions at dusk to the friendly smiles of the Ikoma tribes, Western Serengeti is a journey that will awaken your spirit to the beauty of nature.

At a Glance

Must-See Tourist Attractions

• Grumeti River crossing

• Wildebeest migration

• Large populations of lions

• Huge Nile crocodiles

• Rare Colobus monkeys

• Large herds of elephants and giraffes

Size

±1,300 square miles (±3,367 km²) 

Landscape

Rolling hills, open woodlands, grassy plains, floodplains, riverine areas, and valleys

Main Species

Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, eland, impala, topi, buffalo, lion, cheetah, hyena, and leopard.

The Wonder of the Wild & Surrounds

Western Serengeti stretches westward from Seronera in Central Serengeti to Lake Victoria. It's the scene of the migratory herds' first challenge: the Grumeti River crossing.

The area is also known as the western corridor and forms a giant valley that stretches 50 miles (81km), almost reaching the shores of Lake Victoria, flanked by the north and south hills and its central feature, the Grumeti River.

With our expertly guided safaris, guests find themselves in the front-row seat of nature’s most dramatic show. Although not as well-known as the Mara River crossing, the river crossing in the western corridor offers some spectacular sights.

One after another, wildebeest, zebra, and antelopes take the ultimate leap of survival into the river, hoping to avoid the giant Nile crocodiles lurking in the muddy waters, waiting to feast for the first time in almost a year.

West Serengeti is a protected area bordering the Grumeti Game Reserve and the Ikoma Open Area. These areas act as a buffer zone between the park and the villages, making it the perfect base to witness the magic of the wild.

The Diverse Geography

The landscape of the corridor tells a story of contrast. It's a picturesque area that offers a variety of scenery all within a few kilometres of each other. Plains covered in golden grass, lush riverbanks, forests, seasonal swamps, and dense stands of acacia trees, interspersed with broken woodlands.

It’s a geographic diversity of unique ecosystems home to both plains’ animals and forest dwellers, including the rare black and white colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and a stunning array of birdlife.

With Tanzania Safari, our guides help you track wildlife and offer insight into how the contrasting land shapes the survival of unique flora and fauna.

• Ruwana Plains are renowned for their expansive grasslands and seasonal marshes, and are also the best place to see predators.

• Musabi Plains, characterized by rolling grasslands and rocky outcrops, are the ideal breeding grounds for topi antelopes. It's also a photogenic landscape with picture-perfect sunsets.

• The Mbalageti River valley is the heart of the corridor. Its river banks are lined with dense vegetation, making this oasis the ideal spot for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

• Lower Grumeti Woodlands encompasses a diverse range of habitats. Still, its main attraction is the floodplains and plenty of opportunities to watch the prehistoric giants, the Nile crocodiles, basking in the sun.

Together, these areas mark the breathtaking contrast and how each area plays a vital role in the scenery and wildlife encounters, creating one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the Serengeti National Park. 

The Majestic Wildlife

The life-giving waters of the Grumeti River draw predators and prey alike. The crown jewel of the Serengeti is the great migration of wildebeest. They move westward in May as the wet/dry season transitions. Tagging along are social and solitary predators that follow the migration as they travel on their cycle.

The corridor buzzes with activity from May to July as the herds rest in the area until the dry season is in full swing, after which they push forward, attempting the leap across the daunting Grumeti River in search of greener pastures.

Large herds of elephants and friendly giraffes call the west their home as they forage for food and weave in and out of the diverse landscape.

With our migration-focused safaris, we put adventures right where the action is. During the crossing, the lurking Nile crocodiles wait for any opportunity to present itself when herds of ungulates cross their first obstacle.

Compared to the central plains of the park, the quieter Western Serengeti is the perfect place to enjoy the majestic views of the big five, including lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and rhinos.  

Apart from the migratory animals that pass through, the West Serengeti is home to many resident animals.  

Herbivores 

Hippopotamus

Elephant

Giraffe

Buffalo

Black rhinoceros

Topi

Wildebeest

Zebra

Thompson gazelle

Grants gazelle

Impala

Elands

Warthogs

Baboons 

Vervet monkeys

Kudu

Bushbuck

Reedbuck

Predators

Lions

Cheetahs

Leopard

Crocodiles

Hyena

African wild dog

Birds

Kori bustard

African fish eagle

Southern ground hornbill

Superb starling

Black-chested snake eagle

Coqui francolin

Grey-backed fiscal

Grey crowned crane

Red-capped robin

Yellow-throated sandgrouse

Best Time To Visit 

In Tanzania, every season brings its own magic. The dry season is particularly great for viewing wildlife as they congregate at waterholes. The rainy season brings colorful birds that turn the arid plains into colorful scenes of migratory birds, making it the ideal time for bird lovers.

Build your itinerary around what you want to see with Tanzania Safaris.

Getting There

Going to West Serengeti may seem remote, but our expert guides make the experience more accessible with Tanzania’s fully arranged transfer packages. 

Getting there depends on where you come from, but once you arrive in Tanzania, you can travel by air to enjoy a view of the wild. Tourists can also take a more leisurely drive, make unforgettable memories, and immerse themselves in the landscape.

By Air:

• Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport.

• Then board a domestic flight to Lobo Airstrip—about 90 minutes.

• From there, our private vehicles whisk you straight into the wild.

By Road:

• For the adventurous, a drive from Arusha airport offers a bigger sense of adventure as you traverse the land on your way to the crown jewel of Tanzania

• You can enjoy a multi-day overland with Tanzania Safaris in our comfortable 4x4s with experienced guides and unforgettable stopovers at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Lodging Near West Serengeti  

To Be Added

Attractions Near West Serengeti

• Serengeti National Park

• North Serengeti

• Central Serengeti

• Ruwana Plains

• Lower Grumeti Woodlands

• Mbalageti River Valley

• Musabi Plains