Serengeti National Park

Northern Circuit (Mara)

Premium flagship
Best season: Jun-Oct (dry) and Dec-Mar (calving)

Tanzania's flagship park and the stage for the Great Migration, when over a million wildebeest and zebra move between the Seronera plains and the Mara River. The endless plains reward patience: plan at least three nights, and split them between the central Seronera area and the northern or western corridors depending on the season.

Country: Tanzania
Region: Northern Circuit (Mara)
Best season: Jun-Oct (dry) and Dec-Mar (calving)
Status: Premium flagship park

Wildlife highlights

Great Migration
Big Five
Cheetah
Leopard

Migration timing

Dec-Mar calving on the southern Ndutu plains; Apr-May the herds move west; Jun-Jul the western corridor Grumeti crossings; Jul-Oct dramatic Mara River crossings in the north.

What to pack

Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive — avoid dark blue, which draws tsetse flies), warm layers for cold 5am game drives, a soft duffel (bush planes enforce 15 kg soft-bag limits), binoculars, sunscreen and a dust buff for the dry season.

Park fees

Park entrance is roughly US$60-70 per person per 24 hours (plus concession/camping fees where applicable), payable by card at gates or pre-paid via your operator. Fees change — confirm current TANATOCA rates before travelling.

Wildlife safety

Always stay inside your vehicle in the park, never stand up or lean out near predators, and keep quiet at close encounters. Walking is only permitted with an armed ranger on designated walking safaris. Never feed or call wildlife.

A flagship park: expect higher park fees and premium lodges, and plan further ahead in peak season.

Photos

Every image is license-verified for commercial reuse; photographers are credited where the license requires it.

Serengeti National Park — photograph 2 — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Serengeti National Park — photograph 3 — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Serengeti National Park — photograph 4 — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Serengeti National Park — photograph 5 — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Serengeti National Park — photograph 6 — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Serengeti National Park — photograph 7 — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Serengeti National Park — photograph 8 — Jos van Ouwerkerk, via Pexels

Serengeti National Park — photograph 9 — Joep Bijhold, via Pexels

Serengeti National Park — photograph 10 — Laura Phillips, via Pexels

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