Serengeti National Park Map

Explore the Serengeti's main safari zones and gates on our simplified, illustrative map below. Select any numbered pin on the map, or use the buttons beside the map, to read a short description of each area and what makes it special for wildlife viewing. The map is not to scale, but it clearly shows how the park stretches from the Ngorongoro highlands in the south-east to the Kenyan border in the north and towards Lake Victoria in the west. Use it to understand travel distances between zones and why your safari planner carefully chooses camp locations for each season.

Each Serengeti zone has its own landscapes, wildlife highlights and best season, so choosing the right area is one of the most important safari planning decisions. The central Seronera Valley offers reliable game viewing all year, while the north, west and south become especially rewarding when the migration herds arrive. Select a zone below to discover its character, signature experiences and ideal timing. Many private itineraries combine two zones to balance resident wildlife with migration action, reducing long drives and giving you more relaxed time with the animals in the best areas. Your guide knows each zone intimately.

The Great Migration follows rain and fresh grazing in a broad, circular route through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, so its location changes month by month. Select a period below to see where the herds are usually found and which zone makes the best base for your camp. Exact herd movements always vary from year to year with rainfall, so these are general seasonal patterns rather than guarantees. Your safari planner follows recent reports from guides in the field and adjusts your private itinerary to place you as close to the exciting action as possible during your chosen travel dates.

Most road safaris begin in Arusha, Tanzania's safari capital, and travel west through the Ngorongoro highlands before entering the park at Naabi Hill Gate. The journey takes most of a day, but it can be broken up with stops at Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro Crater. Fly-in safaris use scheduled light aircraft to reach airstrips such as Seronera or Kogatende in a fraction of the time. The classic route below shows a popular northern circuit progression. Your planner will recommend road, air or a combination, depending on your time, budget and preferred pace. Both options are fully private.