The Ultimate Guide to the Best Time to Visit the Serengeti

I. The Big Question, Answered Simply: Finding Your Perfect Serengeti Safari Season

If you are planning a safari to Tanzania, knowing when to visit the Serengeti is one of the most important decisions. There is no single "best" time; it all depends on what you want to see and do. The Serengeti changes with the seasons, which affects where the animals are, how many people are there, and how much the trip costs. There are two main seasons: the Dry Season and the Wet/Green Season. Each one offers a very different kind of adventure. The dry months are great for typical wildlife viewing and seeing the Great Migration's river crossings. The wet months are better for people on a budget, photographers, and those who want to see new life being born. Understanding these seasons will help you plan a safari that is right for you.

To help you decide, here is a simple overview of the two main seasons in the Serengeti.

Serengeti at a Glance: Finding Your Best Time to Go

Weather & Climate: The Dry Season (June – October) has sunny days and cool to cold mornings and nights with very little rain.¹ The Wet/Green Season (November – May) has two periods of rain with a dry spell in between. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and temperatures are moderate.²
Wildlife Viewing Highlight: In the Dry Season, it is easy to see animals because the plants are short. Animals gather around water holes, making them simple to find.¹ In the Wet/Green Season, animals are more spread out, but it is a great time for birdwatching because many birds arrive from other places.⁵
Key Migration Event: The Dry Season is famous for the exciting Grumeti and Mara River crossings.⁹ The Wet/Green Season is known for the amazing wildebeest calving season in the southern plains.¹⁰
Crowds: The Dry Season is the busiest time of year, so there are more visitors, especially in popular spots like Seronera and at the river crossings.¹ The Wet/Green Season is not as busy, so you will find fewer tourists and have a more private safari experience.⁵
Cost: The Dry Season has the highest prices for hotels, park fees, and activities because many people want to visit.⁵ The Wet/Green Season often has lower prices and special deals.¹⁵

II. The Serengeti’s Dry Season: A Time of Drama and Discovery (June – October)

The dry season, from June to October, is the most popular time for a safari in the Serengeti. This period offers a classic safari trip with good weather, lots of animals to see, and the most exciting parts of the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Climate & Landscape (June-October)

During these months, the Serengeti has a nice climate with clear, sunny, and warm days.¹ The temperature is usually around 25°C to 27°C (77°F to 81°F) in the afternoon.² However, a first-time visitor might be surprised by the big difference in temperature between day and night. While days are warm, nights and early mornings are cool to cold, often dropping to about 13°C to 14°C (55°F to 57°F).² This means you should wear layers. You might start a morning game drive feeling very cold, but by noon, the sun's heat will make a light jacket feel too hot.² Sometimes, a cold front can come through, and the morning temperature can feel close to freezing.³ The landscape also changes. With very little rain, the huge plains turn a golden, dry color under the sun.¹ The short grass and lack of rain also mean less humidity and fewer mosquitoes, which makes the trip more comfortable.¹

Wildlife Viewing & The Great Migration

The dry season is the best time for seeing animals. The short grass and thin plants make it much easier to spot animals, which is a big help for both guides and visitors.¹ A key factor is that there is less water. As the dry season goes on, animals must go to the permanent rivers and water holes to drink. This makes their location more predictable for safari guides.¹ This gathering of animals also increases your chances of seeing predators hunting their prey.⁵

The Dry Season is also when the Great Migration's most famous event happens. The migration is a year-round journey that follows the rains and fresh grass. In June, the herds start moving north, and some are already crossing the Grumeti River.⁹ The Grumeti crossings happen in the Western Corridor and are a good option if you want to avoid the crowds at the more famous Mara River crossings.¹¹ From July to August, the migration reaches the northern Serengeti and the dangerous Mara River. This is the main time to see the river crossings, where wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle face crocodiles and strong water.¹⁰

It's important to know that the exact timing of these crossings is impossible to predict. It depends on when the herds decide to cross, which can take hours or even days.¹¹ While July and August are the most likely months for crossings, it is not a guaranteed event. The migration's movement is not fixed to a calendar because it is guided by the unpredictable seasonal rains.¹¹ If seeing a river crossing is very important to you, it's best to stay at a lodge near a crossing point for several days or choose a mobile safari camp that moves with the herds.¹⁰ In September and October, the crossings continue as the herds move between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and the wildlife viewing is still amazing.¹¹

Pros & Cons

The main benefits of the dry season are the great weather, which is perfect for game drives and photos, and the chance to see the Great Migration's river crossings.¹ However, its popularity has a downside. The dry season is the busiest time for tourism, which means higher prices for hotels and activities.⁵ More visitors also mean that popular spots, like the Seronera region and the main river crossing points, can get quite crowded with safari vehicles.¹

III. The Serengeti’s Green Season: A Time of New Life and Lush Beauty (November – May)

Also called the "low season" or "wet season," the green season offers a very different but equally great safari experience. This period proves that the Serengeti is not only at its best in the dry months.

Climate & Landscape (November-May)

The green season is not a time of non-stop rain. It has two separate rainy periods: the "short rains" from November to December and the "long rains" from late March to May. There is usually a dry period in between, in January and February.² The weather is mild and nice, with daytime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and evenings around a comfortable 15°C (59°F).² While the long rains can bring heavier showers, it rarely rains all day.³

The most noticeable thing about this season is how the landscape changes completely. The golden plains of the dry season turn into a lush, vibrant green paradise.¹ The dramatic skies and strong colors of the land are perfect for photographers.¹ However, the rains can cause some travel problems. During the long rains, some roads can get muddy and hard to drive on, and some hotels or camps might close for a short time.⁵ The increased rainfall also means more insects, including mosquitoes.⁴

Wildlife Viewing & The Great Migration

Although animals might be more spread out during the green season because water is everywhere, this period offers special and exciting viewing chances.⁵ The lush plants are a big help for plant-eating animals, giving them plenty to eat and attracting new life. This is also the best time for birdwatching, as many birds from Europe and the North come to the park, making it a wonderful place for bird lovers.⁷

The main highlight of the green season is the Great Migration's calving season. In November and December, the short rains cause the herds to start moving south to the southern plains.⁶ From late January to March, this huge group of animals gives birth to almost half a million wildebeest calves in a very short time.¹⁰ This event creates an all-you-can-eat feast for the Serengeti's strong predators. The large number of young, weak animals attracts many lions, leopards, hyenas, and especially cheetahs, which are very active in the southern Serengeti during this time.⁹ The whole period is a live show of life and death, giving a powerful safari experience that is very different from the river crossings of the dry season.

Pros & Cons

The main benefits of visiting during the green season are the much lower costs and fewer crowds.⁵ Hotels, park fees, and flights often have lower prices, making it a great choice for travelers on a budget.¹⁵ Fewer tourists lead to a more private safari experience with less competition for seeing animals.⁵ The bright landscapes are a big reason for photographers to visit, and the birdwatching is unmatched.¹ The main problems are more humidity, more insects, and the chance of roads being too muddy to use, especially during the heaviest rains in April and May.⁴

IV. Essential Planning for Your First Safari

A successful first safari requires more than just picking a season; it needs careful planning. From understanding costs to getting your visa and packing the right things, these details are very important for a smooth and memorable trip.

Costs & Crowds: Navigating High vs. Low Season

The cost of a Serengeti safari depends on the time of year you go. The high season, from July to September, has higher prices because of the Great Migration and high demand. For example, a luxury tent camp can cost more than US1,200pernight,whileamid−rangehotelmightbemorethanUS550 per night.¹⁷ In the low season, especially from April to May and in November, you can save a lot of money. Luxury camps may start at US

600pernight,andmid−rangehotelsataboutUS300 per night.¹⁷

Your budget is a key factor in deciding the "best" time to visit. For those who are flexible and on a budget, the low season is a more affordable way to see the Serengeti's beauty without giving up a good safari experience.⁵ A mid-range 3-day safari can cost between US

450toUS700 per person, while a luxury 3-day safari can start from US1,650.[17]Parkentryfeesalsochangewiththeseasons.Anon−residentadultfeeisUS70 per 24 hours in the high season and US$60 in the low season.¹⁷

The following is a more detailed breakdown of these costs.

Serengeti Safari Costs: High Season vs. Low Season

Accommodation (Per Night): Luxury tented camps start from over US1,200pernightinthehighseasonandcanbefoundforUS600+ per night in the low season.¹⁷ Mid-range lodges cost around US
550+pernightduringthehighseason,andaroundUS300 per night during the low season.¹⁷
Park Fees (Per 24 hours): For a non-resident adult, the park entry fee is US70inthepeakseasonandUS60 in the low season.¹⁷ The fee for a non-resident child (5-15 years) remains US$20 in both seasons.¹⁷
Concession Fees (Per 24 hours): For a non-resident adult, the concession fee is US60inthepeakseasonandUS50 in the low season.¹⁷ The fee for a non-resident child (5-15 years) is US$10 in both seasons.¹⁷

Health, Safety & Entry Requirements

For first-time visitors, getting ready for health and entry is very important. A new and important change is in Tanzania's visa policy. The visa-on-arrival option has been removed as of January 30, 2025.²¹ All travelers must now get an electronic visa (eVisa) online before they leave.²¹ It is highly recommended to apply at least two to four weeks before your trip, as processing can take up to 10 business days.²¹ If you do not have an eVisa beforehand, you will not be allowed to enter the country.²¹

For your health, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor or travel clinic well before your trip.²³ A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are coming from or have traveled through a country with a risk of Yellow Fever.¹⁹ There is a risk of Malaria in the area, and it is highly recommended to take anti-malarial medicine.¹⁹

On a safari, safety is the most important thing and is easy to follow. The most important rule is to stay inside the safari vehicle at all times, because the animals are wild and you cannot predict what they will do.¹⁹ Guides are highly trained professionals who know how animals act and what the park rules are. You should always follow their instructions.¹⁹ It is also important to respect the animals' space by staying a safe distance away, never feeding them, and not using flash photography near them.¹⁹

Packing for the Plains

Packing for a safari needs careful thought, especially for a first-timer. Because the temperature changes, you should pack layers so you are ready for chilly early mornings and warm afternoons.² You should wear lightweight, comfortable clothes in natural, earthy colors like khaki, beige, and brown to help you blend in with the environment.²³

A key safety tip is to avoid packing dark colors, especially black and dark blue, because these colors are known to attract tsetse flies, which can be annoying.²³ Important things to bring include a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sun, and a good insect repellent.²³ Since you will often see animals from a distance, a good pair of binoculars is a must-have for the best experience.²³

V. Beyond the Standard Safari: Unique Serengeti Experiences

While game drives are the main part of any safari, the Serengeti offers other special activities that can make your trip even better. Each has a best season to enjoy it.

Serengeti: Best Time for Specialised Activities

Hot Air Balloon Safari: The dry season (June–October) is thought to be the best time for a hot air balloon safari. The skies are clear and the weather is good, offering great views of the Great Migration herds.²⁶ The green season (December–March) is also a great choice. The dramatic clouds and green landscape make for beautiful photos, and the trip is less crowded.²⁶
Walking Safari: Walking safaris can be done all year round. They give you a new way to see the ecosystem, focusing on smaller details.
Bird Watching: The best time for birdwatching is the green season (November–April). This is when many migratory birds arrive and it is also their breeding season.