The best time for a Serengeti safari depends on what you want to see, because wildlife is excellent all year. Calving season on the southern plains and Ndutu runs from December to March, with the peak around late January and February. Herds move north-west in the long rains, the Western Corridor and Grumeti are busy from late May to July, and Mara River crossings peak in August and September. Timing varies with rainfall, so we plan flexibly around your dates.

The Serengeti is huge, so where you sleep shapes what you see. Central Seronera offers year-round big cats, the southern plains and Ndutu suit calving season, the Western Corridor and Grumeti follow the herds from May to July, and Kogatende in the north is ideal for river crossings. Private safaris let you combine regions, moving between mobile camps, tented camps and lodges. We match accommodation to your comfort level, from simple camping to refined luxury, and keep drives between camps manageable.

The Great Migration is a year-round movement of wildebeest and zebra rather than a single event, and a private safari lets you follow it. With your own vehicle you can leave camp early, wait patiently at a river bank and remain with a herd as long as you wish, without compromise. Our guides track recent sightings and rainfall to choose the best area for your dates. Flexibility matters because the herds follow the rains, and nature never keeps an exact schedule.

Private Serengeti safari costs depend on the season, the length of your stay and the style of accommodation. As a general guide, budget camping is about $250 to $390, mid-range about $550 to $990 and luxury about $990 to $2,500 per person per day, with ultra-luxury from about $2,500. Tailor-made quotes normally cover your private vehicle and guide, park fees, lodging, meals and transfers. Tell us your budget and travel dates, and we will suggest the best value route for you.

Start planning a Serengeti private safari three to nine months ahead, especially for the migration season and the busy months of July to October. Share your travel dates, interests and comfort level, and we will design a tailor-made itinerary, often combining the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire or Lake Manyara. Pack neutral clothing, a warm layer for early drives, sun protection and a good camera. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic about health preparations before you travel. Early booking helps secure preferred camps.

Most travelers find three to five days in the Serengeti ideal, because the park is vast and drives between regions take time. A private safari lets you stay longer in one region or move between two, depending on the season. Many guests combine the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire for a classic northern circuit of five to eight days. We tailor the length to your interests, budget and available time, so tell us your dates and we will suggest a realistic plan.

The best month depends on your goal. For calving and predators on the southern plains, choose late December to March. For Mara River crossings in the north, choose August and September. June and July are strong for the Western Corridor, and the dry season from late June to October generally offers easier wildlife viewing around waterholes. Because migration timing varies with rainfall, a private safari gives you the flexibility to adjust your route and stay close to the herds.

A private safari is worth it if you value flexibility, comfort and time with wildlife. You have your own vehicle with a roof that lifts for photography, a dedicated driver-guide and control over start times, pace and routes. You can stay with a lion sighting or leave early for a river crossing without compromise. It also suits families and honeymooners who prefer privacy. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris tailors each itinerary to your budget, interests and travel dates.

Cost varies with season, length and accommodation style. As a general guide, budget camping is about $250 to $390, mid-range about $550 to $990 and luxury about $990 to $2,500 per person per day, while ultra-luxury starts from about $2,500. Prices depend on the number of travelers, park fees and the lodges you choose. Send us your preferred dates and comfort level, and we will prepare a clear, tailor-made quote with everything included listed.

Yes, you can see the Great Migration on a private safari, because herds are in the Serengeti ecosystem all year, although their location changes. December to March favors the southern plains and Ndutu, late May to July the Western Corridor, and July to October the north near Kogatende. Your private guide follows recent sightings and rainfall to position you well. Nothing is certain in nature, so a flexible itinerary gives you the best chance.

The Serengeti is a well-managed national park, and safaris with experienced guides are suitable for many families. Your driver-guide briefs everyone on safe behavior, such as staying inside the vehicle and keeping voices low near animals. A private vehicle allows family-friendly pacing, with rest breaks, flexible meal times and shorter drives for children. Many camps and lodges welcome families, and we can recommend suitable ones. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic about health advice before you travel.

A private Serengeti safari offers lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas and enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. Many visitors also enjoy birdlife, including ostriches and secretary birds. Predators are especially visible around Seronera, and the Great Migration moves between regions during the year. In your own vehicle, you can remain with a sighting for as long as you wish, and your guide explains behaviour and tracks. Sightings are never promised, but time and local knowledge improve your chances. Rhinos are rare here, so Ngorongoro is the place to look for them.

Accommodation ranges from budget camping to mid-range lodges, luxury tented camps and ultra-luxury lodges. Your choice depends on budget and region, such as Seronera in the centre, Ndutu in the south, Grumeti in the west or Kogatende in the north. Mobile and seasonal camps follow the Great Migration, while permanent lodges give a dependable base. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris recommends the right camp for your travel month and budget, so your private game drives begin close to the wildlife each morning. Camps can also arrange guided bush walks near some locations.

Pack lightweight neutral clothes, long sleeves for sun and insects, a warm layer for early mornings, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable closed shoes. Bring binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and a soft duffel bag. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic about health precautions well before departure. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris sends a personal packing list suited to your travel month and style once your private tailor-made Serengeti safari is confirmed. Dress in layers and pack light, as camps often offer laundry and space is limited.

Contact Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris with your preferred dates, number of travellers, budget level and interests. We design a private tailor-made Serengeti itinerary and send a clear quote showing park fees, accommodation, your vehicle and guide, meals and transfers. When you approve the plan, a deposit secures your dates and we confirm your lodges or camps. Booking several months ahead is wise for peak periods, especially the Mara River crossing season from July to October and the calving season from late January to February. Booking early keeps your preferred camp available, and mention any dietary needs.

Yes, the Serengeti pairs naturally with Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara on a northern circuit, and you can finish with a Zanzibar beach stay. A private Kilimanjaro climb, to 5,895 metres at Uhuru Peak with a licensed guide, can be added before the safari with rest days between. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris plans the sequence, flights and transfers, so each stage has its own private vehicle and guide and the whole trip flows comfortably within your holiday days. Allow extra days for the Serengeti's vast distances.