Wildlife enthusiasts who seek to explore Africa’s diverse ecosystems highly anticipate the Serengeti Wildlife Safari Season. Serengeti is Tanzania’s most populous safari destination. It is located in the northern part of the country and covers a land area of 14,763 square kilometers.
Serengeti is renowned for its endless open savanna plains, home to several wildlife species. It has a diverse ecosystem with Rivers, Swamps, open grasslands, and woodlands. Wildlife viewing in Serengeti is excellent all year round, making it a one-stop safari destination.
Highlights of the Serengeti wildlife safari season vary depending on one’s interests. Today, we will discuss the best time to experience each on exclusive Discovery Journeys.
The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Season
Serengeti’s wildebeest Migration is iconic and the leading wildlife attraction. It is an annual mass animal migration that involves over a million wildebeests. They migrate alongside gazelles and zebras in search of fresh waters and pastures.
This migration takes place between Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. It is a journey of life and death that attracts the ecosystem’s deadliest predators. It features births, predator hunts, and River crossings, the most life-changing experiences you can witness in the wilderness.
The wildebeest Migration is exceptional and the best part of the Serengeti Wildlife Safari Season. It is best experienced on game drives as you journey with the migrating herds and the hot air balloon safari.
The Calving Period
The calving period is an exciting part of the Serengeti Wildlife Safari Season. It happens between December and March, with over 5,000 calves born daily. At this time of the year, the migrating herds are in Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu Area. They would have returned from Masai Mara to lush vegetation and fresh pastures they thrive on.
The calving period features predator action as lions, leopards, and cheetahs take advantage of the young, vulnerable ones. Hyenas and scavenger birds also thrive as they have plenty of carcasses to feed on. This is the best time to see Big cats as they come out in plenty. It is also ideal for exclusive Serengeti safari adventures, as the rains in November discourage some tourists.
The Start of the Wildebeest Migration
The great migration starts around April when the migrating herds have been fully rejuvenated by the calving period. Wildebeests slowly move towards central and western Serengeti through different predator territories. April and May are wet months with rainfall that favors the growth of more vegetation.
During the rainy season, the Serengeti ecosystem regains its greenery making landscapes suitable for nature photography. Birding is at its peak as migratory birds set in from November adding to the bird diversity and numbers that the park already has.
Serengeti Wildlife Safari adventures during these months are still exclusive because of the limited tourist numbers. Game drive trials are muddy and some become impassable due to heavy rains.
Serengeti River Crossings
Wildebeest River crossings are the most spectacular parts of the Serengeti Wildlife Safari Season. They happen in the dry season from June to September as the herds cross the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. These Rivers have steep edges and are home to Nile Crocodiles that await the migrating herds.
Being a dry season, wildlife spotting is easy as some animals gather at water holes in the park. Game drives are also effective with minimal rainfall disturbances. The predator and prey interaction during the river crossings is unforgettable.
Serengeti is home to several other safari animals, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos, best seen in the dry season.
November ushers in more rainfall and migration season starts all over again.
Best time to Visit
Choosing the right time for your Serengeti Wildlife Safari Season depends on your interests. June to October are suitable for those interested in the Wildebeest Migration and the River Crossings. The Calving period and the Big Cats’ adventures are experienced from December to May. If you are interested in Birding and exclusive safari experiences visit from November to May.
Serengeti safari adventures are the finest savanna experiences in the East African region. They can be supplemented by gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda. Direct flights from Kilimanjaro Airport to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and Entebbe in Uganda make accessibility to any of the preferred gorilla trekking destinations easy.
