The Serengeti National Park: The Land of the Great Wildebeest Migration, Larger Than Greater Los Angeles, Over 4,000 Known Species, The Thousand-Year-Old Home of Charismatic Maasai Warriors
The word "Serengeti," rooted in the Maasai or Maa language, means “the vast land with no end.” Our ancestors—who lived as hunter-gatherers in the savannas of Africa—must have felt the intensity, depth, and gigantic scale of this mighty wilderness.
It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that Europeans were introduced to this land. Since then, the national park has won the hearts of millions. Some visitors return time and again, drawn by something that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth—the great journey of life, the Great Migration of blue wildebeests. It's a chaotic run driven by instinct, a frantic search for survival that paradoxically brings a sense of peace.
Serengeti National Park is Not Only About The Great Migration
We have something to say here, in many books, journals, in the diaries of wildlife naturalists, in the articles of travellers, often the great migration is described in a way, that Serengeti National Park has nothing more to offer. Undoubtedly, this remarkable migration has its unique appeal. The park is something special and larger than many believe.
Imagine a park with over 4000+ unique species, including flora and fauna, 3000 lions roaming within a 14,763 km2 (5,700 sq mi) area, with 5–10 leopards per 100 km² hiding in the branches of Acacia trees, the largest mammals on earth, African elephants ordering the ecosystem, 400+ bird species, some migration in serengeti in seasons, adding charm and balance to this national park, Serengeti is something beyond the great migration.
Understanding The Great Migration
Although at first glance the term great migration may sound like a seasonal Orchestration,
It is a journey of herbivore animals that takes place all year round. The herds of blue wildebeest, zebras, and Thomson's gazelle keep moving as any specific area can hardly feed this vast amount of animals. In the next section, we have described the Great Migration in the easiest possible way,
World’s Largest Wildlife Movement
Over 1.5 million wildebeests, 400,000 zebras, and 200,000 gazelles migrate in a circular journey across the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Masai Mara (Kenya), forming Earth's most significant land migration.
Wildebeest Migration By Map
Each year, around two million wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras embark on a circular journey across the Serengeti and Masai Mara, following the seasonal rains in search of fresh grazing. This epic migration takes about 12 months to complete, meaning there’s always a part of the migration unfolding and something incredible to witness year-round.
The timeline below is based on patterns observed in previous years. While it’s impossible to predict the exact movements of the herds, our expertise as Tanzania specialists puts us in the best position to get you to the right place at the right time for an unforgettable Serengeti safari experience.
January: The herds of wildebeests gather near the Lake Ndutu in the southeast corner of Serengeti National Park. The animals are spread out over a fairly large area so this is not the best time to witness the wildebeest migration.
February and March: This is calving season, with more than 8,000 wildebeest babies being born every day! If this sounds unbearably cute, it is – until the predators move in to feast on the defenseless newborns. This is a fantastic time to see lions, leopards and cheetahs doing what they do best.
April and May: April marks the start of the “long rains”, and it’s also the time the animals begin their great trek north. In May, as the rains weaken and the babies get stronger, the herds gather pace.
June: The herds should have reached central Serengeti by now, with many of them completing their first treacherous river crossing over the Grumeti River this month.
July: The herds gather North of the Serengeti towards south of the crocodile infested Masai Mara River, which they will have to cross to reach the excellent grazing in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park. Depending on the year, the animals may start crossing the Mara River in July.
August: This is widely considered to be the best month to experience the real-life Hollywood drama and that is the Mara River crossing. Watching these vast herds of animals clamber through the muddy waters, as crocodiles pick off the weak and the unlucky is a genuine bucket-list experience. The wildebeest migration map shows the predicted path of the Serengeti annual migration circle.
September and October: While many of the animals cross into Kenya, about half of them remain in the Tanzania’s Serengeti. This is a great time to experience the wildebeest migration without the crowds.
November: This is typically when the “short rains” commence in Tanzania, the animals’ cue to leave the Masai Mara and return to the verdant pastures of the Serengeti. It goes without saying that they will have to cross the Masai Mara River again.
December: The herds head south, towards Lake Ndutu to begin the cycle anew that in the early month of the year grasses in southern Serengeti that are lush draws wilbeest and zebras back in millions to graze with gazelles of Serengeti in harmony
Driven by Rain and Grass
The migration isn’t random—it's a clockwise loop driven by seasonal rains. The herds search for fresh grazing lands and water, following the rhythm of East Africa’s wet and dry seasons as shown in the migration Map.
Predator-Prey Spectacle
The most dangerous part of this spectacular journey is when lions, leopards, cheetahs, crocodiles, and hyenas track the herds, creating one of nature’s most thrilling displays of life,it's a death, and survival.
Key Highlight: The Mara River Crossing
Perhaps the most iconic moment is when thousands of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River, battling strong currents and lurking crocodiles—chaotic, dramatic, and unforgettable.
A Year-Round Cycle
The Great Migration is not just one event; it’s a year-long journey. Every month, from the birthing season in the southern Serengeti (Jan–March) to river crossings (July–Oct), offers a unique experience.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Serengeti—and Why?
The Serengeti is a year-round safari destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to experience. For those eager to witness the Great Migration river crossings, the peak months are July to October, when herds dramatically plunge into the crocodile-infested Mara River—a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of survival and chaos.
On the other hand, if you want to see newborn wildebeest calves and predator action, between January and March is ideal,aiming for the month of February, around Ndutu area in the Serengeti. During this calving season in the southern Serengeti, over 500,000 calves are born within weeks, drawing in lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, making it the best time for dramatic wildlife interactions and photography.
Aside from migration highlights, June to October also marks the dry season, when wildlife is easier to spot due to sparse vegetation and animals gathering at waterholes. The weather is comfortable—sunny days, cooler nights, and little chance of rain. Conversely, the green season (November to May) paints the plains in rich colour, with fewer tourists and excellent bird-watching opportunities as migratory birds arrive. So whether you're chasing drama, tranquillity, or vibrant landscapes, the Serengeti offers a perfect window for every type of explorer.
Avoid the Crowds- Win the Safari With a Peaceful Mind
Unique spectacles such as the Great Trek can attract many spectators, and you might experience the heart of the migration to be a bit crowded—with the human species, that is. Travellers who only visit the Seronera area may experience a Serengeti that feels crowded, sometimes too crowded for comfort.
A wildlife sighting involving a big cat, whether a leopard, a cheetah, or a lion pride, soon attracts many safari vehicles. Many visitors, and as a result, their guides, are obsessed with big cats (and the Big Five): they feel that they would miss out if they did not join a sighting. Within minutes of a big cat sighting being called on the radio, all vehicles will congregate on that one sighting, you could avoid this with a good tour operator whose guides are well trained to avoid crowds and give you a secluded safari experience in the Serengeti.
There is a good reason: Seronera is the location of many lodges and campsites and is the most accessible portion of Serengeti National Park. The result is that within a 10-kilometre radius from Seronera, the road network is busy with safari vehicles. Simply put, being in the wrong spot at the wrong time may lead to the misconception that the Serengeti is too crowded. It is not; one only needs to aim for a wildlife secluded experience where you travel in private with well-trained guides who know well about animal behaviour, trekking and such sightings.
To avoid the crowds or to experience Serengeti National Park as it should be experienced, we recommend splitting your safari itinerary in two: one portion of your trip in the heart of the migration action (and yes, you will experience heavier vehicle traffic) and the other portion in a remote, out-of-season location.
Options for the latter would be the Western Corridor between August and October or the Mara Serengeti area between November and June. You will encounter far lower visitor numbers in these areas, whereas the quality of wildlife viewing is almost as good as in the Seronera area. It is not impossible to spend time in the Serengeti (even during peak season) and see no (or, all right, barely) other visitors.
If you would rather have the Serengeti to yourself, travelling in the low season is your best option. Periods in which visitor numbers are low and camp rates are much lower include mid-March to mid-May (long rains), early November to mid-December (short rains), and the last two weeks of January.
Wildlife of the Serengeti Region and Canine Distemper Outbreak in 1994
Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve have formed a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005. More than 3,000 lions live in this ecosystem. In 1994, an outbreak of canine distemper led to the deaths of approximately one-third of the lion population in the area.
The population density of the African leopard is estimated at 5.41 individuals per 100 km2 (14.0 per 100 sq miles) in the dry season.
African bush elephant herds recovered from a population low in the 1980s caused by poaching and numbered over 5,000 individuals by 2014. The African buffalo population declined between 1976 and 1996 due to poaching but increased to 28,524 individuals by 2008. The Eastern black rhinoceros population was reduced to about 10 individuals in the 1980s due to poaching, and fewer than 70 individuals survive in the park today. Rhinos mostly browse grasses, woody Indigofera, Acacia, Crotalaria forbs, and shrubs.
Other mammal carnivores include the cheetah, about 3,500 spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, African golden wolf, honey badger, striped hyena, caracal, serval, banded mongoose, and two species of otters. The African wild dog was returned to the area in 2012 after disappearing in 1991. Other mammals include hippopotamus, common warthog, aardvark, aardwolf, African wildcat, African civet, common genet, zorilla, African striped weasel, bat-eared fox, ground pangolin, crested porcupine, three species of hyraxes and Cape hare. Primates such as yellow and olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and mantled guereza are also seen in the gallery forests of the Grumeti River.
Reptiles include Nile crocodiles, leopard tortoises, serrated hinged terrapins, rainbow agama, Nile monitors, Jackson's chameleons, African pythons, black mambas, black-necked spitting cobras, and puff adders.
More than 500 bird species can be seen such as Masai ostrich, secretarybird, kori bustards, helmeted guineafowls, grey-breasted spurfowl, blacksmith lapwing, African collared dove, red-billed buffalo weaver, southern ground hornbill, crowned cranes, sacred ibis, cattle egrets, black herons, knob-billed ducks, saddle-billed storks, white stork, goliath herons, marabou storks, yellow-billed stork, spotted thick-knees, lesser flamingo, shoebills, abdim's stork, hamerkops, hadada ibis, african fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, tanzanian red-billed hornbill, martial eagles, egyptian geese, lovebirds, spur-winged geese, oxpeckers, and many species of vultures.
Regions of Serengeti National Park
The national park is divided into three sub-regions, which we have described in the section coming next.
Serengeti Plains (Southern Region)
The Serengeti Plains are perhaps the most iconic and photographed part of the park—an endless, treeless grassland stretching across the southern region. This area is characterised by its vast volcanic grasslands, nourished by nutrient-rich ash from ancient eruptions, which support an incredible range of grazing animals. Scattered across the plains are koppies—rocky granite outcrops that rise like islands above the savannah. These koppies serve as prime lookout points for predators such as lions and cheetahs. This southern expanse plays a significant role during the calving season (January–March), when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth.
Western Corridor
The Western Corridor is defined by its two major rivers—the Grumeti and the Mbalageti—which cut through the landscape, creating lush riverine forests and attracting a wealth of wildlife. This region is flatter than the north and more densely vegetated than the southern plains, offering a unique mix of environments, including forests, grasslands, and small mountain ranges. Between May and July, this corridor becomes the dramatic stage for the Great Migration, as wildebeests and zebras cross crocodile-infested waters on their journey toward the north. The corridor also stretches to Lake Victoria, providing a scenic transition from the savannah to the tremendous African lake.
Northern Serengeti
The Northern Serengeti is a more remote and rugged area, known for its rolling hills and open woodlands dominated by Commiphora trees. This region stretches from Seronera in the south to the Mara River along the Kenyan border. Its remoteness makes it less crowded and ideal for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari experience. At the Mara River, it is here that one of the most breathtaking migration moments unfolds: the perilous river crossings where thousands of animals plunge into dangerous waters, all under the gaze of waiting predators. The northern zone offers raw beauty, fewer vehicles, and unparalleled opportunities for those seeking deeper wilderness immersion.
Final Thoughts
If you've made it this far, it's probably clear that the Serengeti isn't just a destination—it's a living, breathing masterpiece of nature. Yes, the Great Migration is jaw-dropping, but it's only a chapter in a much richer story. From the thunder of hooves to the stillness of a leopard resting in an acacia tree, every moment here feels like something sacred. Whether watching a sunrise spill across the endless plains or locking eyes with a lion from your 4x4, the Serengeti doesn’t just impress—it transforms you. So, whenever you decide to come, know this: The Serengeti will meet you with its whole heart, just as wild and wondrous as it has always been.