Where to Stay in Serengeti National Park

The best area for the Great Migration changes through the year. The herds usually graze the southern Ndutu plains from December to March, move through the central and western Serengeti from April to June, and reach the northern Serengeti and Mara River from July to October. Movements depend on rainfall, so we choose your camp area for your exact travel dates.

From July to October, stay in the northern Serengeti around Kogatende and the Mara River, where the herds usually cross between Tanzania and Kenya. Camps in this area put you close to the crossing points, so you spend less time driving and more time waiting at the river. These are the busiest months, so the best northern camps should be booked early.

For the calving season, usually late January and February within the wider December to March window, stay on the southern plains around Ndutu and Lake Masek. Thousands of wildebeest calves are born here, which attracts lions, cheetahs and hyenas. Seasonal mobile camps and permanent lodges in this area keep your game drives short, and they book up quickly for these months.

Yes. Central Serengeti, known as the Seronera area, is one of the best places to stay at any time of year. The Seronera River valley holds water all year, which keeps resident wildlife close, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and giraffes. It is also easy to reach by road or by flight into Seronera airstrip, making it a perfect first or only stop.

The Western Corridor is a long arm of the Serengeti stretching towards Lake Victoria, crossed by the Grumeti River. It is quieter than the central areas and is best in May and June, when the migration often passes through and the herds face the Grumeti River and its large crocodiles. Outside these months it offers peaceful game drives with resident wildlife.

Staying inside the Serengeti puts you closer to the wildlife, so you can begin game drives at sunrise and stay out until sunset without long transfers. Lodges just outside the park can be quieter and offer activities such as walks, but you face longer drives and gate times. For most private safaris we recommend camps inside the park or on private concessions bordering it.

We recommend at least three nights in the Serengeti, which gives you two full days of game drives plus arrival and departure days. Four or five nights let you explore two different areas, follow the migration more patiently and enjoy a slower pace. If you are flying in, even two nights can work, but more time always means better wildlife sightings.

Splitting your stay between two areas is often the best way to see the Serengeti. A popular plan combines central Seronera for resident predators with the northern Mara River during the crossing season or the Ndutu plains during the calving season. Moving between areas takes part of a day, but it shows you very different landscapes and wildlife.

On a budget, stay at a public campsite such as Seronera or Lobo on a private camping safari, or choose an affordable tented camp in the central Serengeti. Camping keeps costs low while still placing you inside the park for early game drives. Your cook prepares fresh meals and your guide handles everything, so you enjoy the same wildlife for less.

The Serengeti has luxury lodges and camps in every area. Central Serengeti offers high-end lodges with pools and spas, the far north has exclusive camps near the Mara River, and private concessions on the park's edge provide quiet game drives, walking and night drives where permitted. We match the lodge to your season, budget and travel style so each night feels special.

Families usually enjoy central Serengeti lodges with family rooms, pools and fenced or well-guided common areas, as they offer year-round wildlife and shorter drives. Some camps set minimum ages for children, so we check each property's policy before booking. A private vehicle lets you set your own pace with breaks, snacks and rest time that suit younger travellers.

Honeymooners love the intimate tented camps of the northern and central Serengeti, where private verandas, candlelit dinners and starlit skies create a romantic setting. Ultra-luxury lodges with plunge pools or exclusive concessions add extra privacy. Many couples pair the Serengeti with a few relaxing days on Zanzibar's beaches, which we can arrange as part of your private, tailor-made safari.

You can reach your Serengeti lodge by road or by air. Driving from Arusha usually takes a full day, often via Ngorongoro, with game viewing along the way. Scheduled light aircraft fly from Arusha to airstrips such as Seronera, Kogatende and Lobo, where your guide meets you. Fly-in safaris save time, while road safaris let you see more.

Book Serengeti accommodation six to twelve months ahead for July to October and for the December to February holidays and calving season, when the best camps fill quickly. For the green season from April to May, a few months' notice is often enough. Booking early gives you a wider choice of camps in the exact area where the wildlife is expected.

Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris is a local Tanzanian operator that knows which Serengeti areas, camps and lodges suit each season and traveller. We design private, tailor-made safaris with your own vehicle and expert guide, match accommodation to your comfort level and budget, and handle every booking, transfer and park fee, so you can simply enjoy the wildlife.