UNESCO World Heritage Site

Serengeti National Park

Operator’s Deep Guide: The Great Migration Engine

Scale

~15,000 km² (Park)

Main Feature

Largest Terrestrial Migration (~1.5M Wildebeest)

Predators

Africa’s Largest Lion Population (~3,000)

Best Time

Year-round (depending on zone)

Geography & Key Sub-regions

South / Ndutu & Southern Plains

Season: Dec–Mar

Short-grass plains, calving grounds (Jan–Feb), and intense predator bonanza. Access: Ndutu airstrip.

Central / Seronera

Season: All Year

Permanent watercourses, highest predator density, reliable big-cat encounters (leopards). Access: Seronera airstrip hub.

West / Western Corridor & Grumeti

Season: May–Jun

Riparian forests and Grumeti River crossings with massive crocodiles. Access: Kirawira, Grumeti/Sasakwa strips.

North / Kogatende – Mara River

Season: Jul–Oct

Mara River crossings, dramatic scenery, and classic kopje country. Access: Kogatende (ULX) main strip.

East / Namiri Plains

Season: Shoulder Months

Cheetah country on open hardpan; superb for photography when grass is low. Access: General mapping references.

The Great Migration & Wildlife Density

Migration Operator Calendar (Key Movements)

  • Jan–Mar (South/Ndutu): Calving Peak, high predator action, mobile camps set south.
  • Apr–mid-Jun (West): Rut, Grumeti Crossings begin; factor rain-damaged tracks.
  • Jul–Oct (North): Mara River Crossings (Kogatende/Lamai); requires split-stay for flexibility.
  • Nov–Dec (East→South): Short rains pull herds south; combine Seronera + Namiri.
Reality Check: Inter-annual rainfall variability can shift timing. Build flexibility into day-to-day plans.

Key Resident Species & Predators

  • Lions: Approx. 3,000 across the ecosystem; reliably found around Seronera Kopjes and river lines.
  • Leopards: High encounter rates in Seronera Riverine forests (fig/sausage trees).
  • Cheetah: Best viewing in the Namiri/short-grass East and Ndutu plains.
  • Rhino: Under 70 black rhino remain; controlled viewing is possible in the Moru zone (special rules apply).
  • Elephants/Buffalo: Elephant population rebounded to >5,000; Buffalo approx. 28,000.

Access, Activities & Regulations

Air Logistics

  • Gateways: Arusha (JRO/ARK) by road (~6–7h) or scheduled light aircraft (~1h).
  • Key Airstrips: Seronera (Central), Kogatende (North), Ndutu (South). Match strip to camp to minimize transfers.
  • Contingency: Long rains can cut tracks in the West; fly-ins are ideal during this time (Apr–Jun).

Core Activities

  • Game Drives: Core activity. Plan around watercourses and kopjes. Best at sunrise and sunset.
  • Hot-Air Ballooning: Iconic activity available in Central, West, and North sectors. Dawn launches only.
  • Walking / Night Drives: Night drives are generally restricted (06:00–18:00 only). Use designated private concessions or other parks for these activities.
  • Rhino Viewing: Highly controlled in the Moru zone with special fees/routing.

Regulations & Ethics

  • Driving: Strictly stay on designated roads in the public National Park.
  • Park Hours: 06:00–18:00 for all vehicle movement.
  • Drones: Explicitly banned during river crossings and require a national permit everywhere else.
  • Crossings Ethics: Do not block approaches/egress or disembark near the herds. Choose ethical vantage points.

Operator & Photography Focus

Routing & Camp Logic

  • South (Dec–Mar): Use mobile camps in Ndutu/Southern Plains, plus a Seronera buffer night for flight connections.
  • North (Jul–Oct): Plan split-stays (lodges/tented camps) north and south of the Mara River for flexible access to crossings.
  • Anchor: Use Seronera year-round for reliable predator sightings and connectivity.
  • Crowd Management: Stagger timing (earlier/later) at popular spots like crossings; never pressure herds.

Photographic Notes (Pro Application)

  • Lens Set: Telephoto (100–400 mm or 200–600 mm) for predators; 24–70 mm for landscapes/ballooning.
  • Angles: Use kopjes for elevation; exploit dust backlighting in dry season.
  • Green Season: Focus on storm anvils for scale and the dramatic light of afternoon showers.
  • Behavior Windows: Dawn for cats on the move; late-season river crossings with backlit spray are spectacular.