Serengeti by Month
By the Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris team
Written by our Arusha-based safari guides and private safari planners from first-hand experience in the Serengeti.
The Serengeti is worth visiting in every month, but what you see depends on where the Great Migration is. From December to March the herds graze the southern plains and Ndutu, with calving usually peaking in February. In April and May they move through central Serengeti, from June to July they cross the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor, and from July to October they usually reach the northern Serengeti for the Mara River crossings. This Serengeti month-by-month guide explains weather, migration, crowds and costs, so you can plan your private tailor-made safari at the right time and place.
The best time to visit the Serengeti is from late June to October for the dry season and Mara River crossings, or from January to February for the calving season in the southern plains. April and May are the wettest, quietest months, with lower green-season rates at some lodges, while central Serengeti offers excellent big cat viewing all year.
Serengeti Month by Month
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Serengeti Safari Seasons
Great Migration Calendar: Where the Herds Are Each Month
| Month | Season | Where the herds usually are | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Short dry season | Southern plains & Ndutu | Herds gather, calving starts late month |
| February | Short dry season | Southern plains & Ndutu | Peak calving and big cat action |
| March | Long rains begin | Southern plains, moving late month | Late calves, green and quieter |
| April | Long rains | Central Serengeti & Moru | Wettest month, lowest crowds |
| May | Long rains ease | Central to Western Corridor | Long columns and the rut begins |
| June | Dry season starts | Western Corridor | Grumeti River crossings usually begin |
| July | Dry season | Western Corridor to the north | First Mara River crossings possible |
| August | Dry season | Northern Serengeti | Mara River crossings usually at their peak |
| September | Dry season | Northern Serengeti | Mara crossings continue, crowds ease |
| October | Dry season ends | North, drifting south via Lobo | Fewer visitors, later crossings possible |
| November | Short rains | Lobo & eastern Serengeti, heading south | Green flush and migrant birds arrive |
| December | Short rains ease | Back on the southern plains | Herds return, festive peak season |
Migration timing varies each year with the rains, so treat this calendar as a guide. Read our Serengeti wildebeest migration guide or see our Serengeti migration safaris.
Serengeti Areas and When to Visit Them
Compare costs on our Serengeti safari cost guide, find a base on where to stay in the Serengeti, or plan the rest of Tanzania with our Tanzania safari by month guide.
Serengeti by Month: FAQs
What is the best month to visit the Serengeti?
February is usually best for the calving season in the southern Serengeti, while August and September are usually best for Mara River crossings in the north. For a mix of good weather and fewer visitors, consider late June, early July or October.
Where is the Great Migration each month?
The herds are usually on the southern plains and Ndutu from December to March, in central Serengeti in April and May, in the Western Corridor in June and early July, and in the northern Serengeti from July to October, before returning south in November.
When is the Serengeti calving season?
Wildebeest calving usually takes place on the southern plains and around Ndutu from late January to March, with the peak typically in February. Huge numbers of calves are born within a few weeks, attracting lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
When do the Mara River crossings happen?
Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti usually take place from July to October, with the most frequent crossings typically in August and September. Exact timing depends on the rains, so we base you close to the river for several nights.
What is the rainy season in the Serengeti?
The Serengeti has short rains in November and December and long rains from March to May, with April usually the wettest month. Rain often falls in afternoon showers, the landscape turns green, and the parks are much quieter than in the dry season.
When is the Serengeti least crowded?
The Serengeti is usually least crowded in April and May during the long rains, and quieter in November and early March. The busiest periods are July to September in the north and the Christmas, New Year and February calving weeks in the south.
How much does a Serengeti safari cost?
A private Serengeti safari typically costs from about $200 to $2,500 per person per day, depending mostly on your accommodation style, from budget camping to high-end luxury camps. Peak months book out sooner, and some lodges offer lower green-season rates.
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