How the Serengeti works
The Serengeti stands out head and shoulders above most other parks in Africa, but to get the best from it, it pays to understand how it works and, importantly, what to expect from each region in the different seasons.
Between all of us at Natural High, we have managed safari camps and guided numerous safaris throughout the Serengeti and crucially many of its peripheral areas, which nowadays are often where the REAL Serengeti experience can be found.
The headline act in the Serengeti is the wildebeest migration which moves over the course of the year between the southern range on the Serengeti Southern Plains up to the northern range near the Mara River on the border between the Serengeti North area and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
But while there are times when the migration is in breathtaking concentrations, such as when they cross the Grumeti River in July or the Mara River in the late dry season (any time between early August and October) it's important to realise that seeing a river crossing does require a healthy dose of patience and luck. A lot of our clients do see these, but it's by no means a given.
Migration aside, there are great differences in the various regions of the park, and many of the areas are fairly seasonal. In very simple terms, here is how they work:
Serengeti Central - Central Serengeti offers undeniably good game viewing year round, but you do need to be prepared for high numbers of tourists. The Seronera valley is a magnet for game, but also for traffic. Personally we'd avoid staying in this area...read more
Serengeti Western Corridor - The Western Corridor is the hotspot in July as the wildebeest migration rolls into town, but it also retains a sizeable resident population of wildebeest - and good general game viewing - year round. This is a funnel shaped piece of land running from the Central Serengeti west to the park boundary near the shore of Lake Victoria. This is an interesting and beautiful area, particularly when you leave the main road - and the Peugot 504 taxis - behind... read more
Serengeti North - This is where you'll find the action between August and October. The Mara River - bristling with crocs - divides this wild part of the Serengeti from the Masai Mara in Kenya and it's here that you'll find the wildebeest when the southern plains get too dry...read more
Serengeti Loliondo - Loliondo could perhaps be described as the Serengeti without the rules, offering as it does excellent walking safaris, night drives and for much of the year rewarding game viewing. Spanning the entire eastern edge of the Serengeti National Park, it's a critical part of the whole ecosystem - yet visited by remarkably few tourists...
Serengeti Southern Plains - This area comes alive beween December and May as the migration returns. It's dominated by the vast and seemingly endless grass plains around Naabi and Ndutu, which stretch further than the eye can see. In much of this area off road driving is permitted which helps you get a sense of the vastness of the Serengeti...read more
More articles that you might find helpful
The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
Northern Tanzania - Serengeti and the rest
The Serengeti Plains formation
Light Mobile Camping in The Serengeti
Tanzania visa requirements
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Have a look at our blog at safarigeek.com
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