A fool-proof formula for a stress-free Serengeti safari
The Serengeti is one of the most popular safari destinations in East Africa, particularly for first-time visitors to the region. It offers exceptional wildlife sightings and provides the setting for the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, as well as being home to a vast choice of lodges and camps.
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Experience four incredible days with your loved one in the Serengeti on this romantic safari adventure.
But if you’ve never planned a Tanzania safari before, you might be overwhelmed by the number of factors to consider. When is the best time to visit for wildlife sightings? Where should you stay? What can you do once you arrive?
In this guide, we’ll nut out some of the most important considerations for planning a stress-free Serengeti safari. From deciding when you want to travel to what you should pack, we’ve got you covered!
The experience you have and the wildlife you can expect to see on a Tanzania safari tour will differ depending on when you visit, with the rains transforming the landscapes of the Serengeti dramatically. But the volume of other tourists will also affect your vacation, as well as the price you end up paying for accommodation!
The dry season from June to October is generally considered the best time to visit the Serengeti, with warm days and sunny skies. The thinner vegetation and limited water sources make spotting wildlife much easier and there will be fewer mosquitoes in the evenings when compared to the wet season. But on the flip side, there are far more other tourists visiting in the dry season (particularly during the Northern Hemisphere summer holiday months of July and August), so you can expect to pay more for your accommodation.
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If you’re not concerned about getting a little wet, then coincide your visit with the wet season from November through to May. The Serengeti’s landscapes will be at their lushest, with the grassy plains turning a rich green and the birdlife exceptional as migratory species arrive from as far away as Europe and Asia. While you might have to dash for cover during the daily downpours, you’ll benefit from reduced accommodation rates and far fewer other visitors.
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If you want to see the wildebeest migration in full swing, then plan your dates accordingly. Generally speaking, the herds begin moving from the Southern Serengeti around April as the region starts to dry up. Large numbers of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles can be seen traversing the Moru Kopjes and the central Seronera area of the Serengeti during May before moving through the Western Corridor’s rock kopjes.
By June, the herds begin congregating on the banks of the Grumeti River and attempt to cross this crocodile-infested body of water. Some will then head north through the Grumeti Reserve and the Ikorongo Controlled Area during July and August while others will venture east through the open woodlands of the Northern Serengeti.
In late-August/early September, the herds cross the Mara River from the Serengeti into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve where they’ll graze throughoutOctober before making the return journey south through the eastern Serengeti and the Loliondo Game Controlled Area.
By November, they’ve usually reached the Seronera area before continuing to the Southern Serengeti in December. Here they’ll remain during January, February and March to give birth to their calves, making this an ideal time to visit if you want to see newborns taking their first steps (or predatory action as lions, cheetahs and other carnivores prey on theses vulnerable animals).
Once you’ve decided when you want to visit, it’s time to decide where you want to stay and how much you’re prepared to pay. The Serengeti is home to a huge variety of different accommodation options, ranging from basic campsites to exclusive, luxury lodges. And while you might think of Tanzania as a relatively affordable destination, the remote location of the Serengeti and its lodges and camps means that prices are probably going to be higher than you expected.
Most travellers like the convenience of an all-inclusive Tanzania safari holiday, with transport logistics, meals and guided game drives all included. This can be organised to include tent accommodation at basic campsites or in the privacy of a lodge room/safari-style tent. At the higher end of the range, you’ll find luxury lodges that are a destination in themselves. Most are set in stunning locations where wildlife spotting is possible from the privacy of your balcony.
If you’re travelling during the migration season, you also want to consider whether you want to stay at a permanent lodge/camp or opt for a mobile camp experience. Mobile camps follow the migration herds as they move across the Serengeti, putting you on the doorstep of all the action. As these are temporary camps, you might have to compromise on a few creature comforts but the wildlife spotting rewards are more than worth it!
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Aside from staying in the Serengeti National Park itself, you can also opt to stay in the Grumeti Game Reserve on the park’s western edge. It boasts a number of high-end lodges and fewer visitor numbers for those wanting a more exclusive experience.
After deciding where you want to stay, you can start exploring what activities are available at your lodge or camp. Most will offer early morning and late-afternoon game drives to spot wildlife while some will also offer walking safaris to get a completely different perspective. A sunrise hot air balloon safari is a highlight for many visitors to the Serengeti, as is a visit to one of the local Maasai communities.
Once you’ve spent a few days in the Serengeti, you might also want to embark on a full-day trip to the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater from your camp or lodge. This can easily be combined with a visit to the Olduvai Gorge, which is considered the “Cradle of Mankind”.
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If you’ve never been on a safari before, then you might be wondering what you should pack. You can leave behind the high-heel shoes and dinner jacket in favour of comfortable, lightweight and quick-dry clothing that’s designed for the great outdoors. Temperatures can change drastically from the cool of the morning to the heat in the middle of the day, so opt for layers that can easily be slipped on and off.
Colours such as beige, green and brown are preferable as they’ll camouflage you in the savannah, with long-sleeve shirts and pants essential for protecting you against mosquitoes at night. Opt for clothing made from quick-dry fabrics that you can hang up overnight, ready to wear the next day. Don’t forget a hat that won’t blow off in the wind during game drives and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Other things to consider include a pair of binoculars, a high-quality DSLR camera and a plug converter (Tanzania uses types D and G) to charge your electrical devices.
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One of the most important things to remember if you want to have the best safari in Africa is to book early, particularly if you plan on travelling during the peak season. Many lodges and camps book out well in advance, so you should plan ahead if you want to stay at your first preference.
Booking with an experienced safari travel operator is highly recommended if you want to secure the best deals, as well as have someone do the hard work for you of organising on-ground transport logistics. Simply let them know where you want to go and your dream Serengeti Africa experience, then let them craft a bespoke private safari in Tanzania that will exceed your wildest dreams.
Spend a week wildlife spotting in northern Tanzania followed by a few days relaxing in idyllic Seychelles during this unforgettable ten-day adventure.
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