Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s parks where nature still tells its own story. With wide open plains, acacia trees standing like guardians of time, and animals roaming wild and free, Serengeti gives you a front-row seat to nature’s biggest theatre.
Most famous for the Great Migration, a journey of millions of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras, Serengeti holds more than that. With its impressive populations of lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and birds and its beautiful sceneries, every day in Serengeti is different, yet deeply unforgettable.
If you’re planning to visit or just dreaming about it, here’s a full guide on what to do in Serengeti National Park, packed with unique details and useful tips to help you get the most from this world-famous destination.
Classic Game Drives
This is the most popular and most exciting activity in the park. Game drives are done in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a trained guide who knows the land, the animals, and their movements. It offers the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceros), as well as other iconic species like giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, and various bird species. Depending on the time of year, you might also witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, a spectacular natural event.
There are three types of game drives you can enjoy, that is the, Morning Game Drive: Animals are most active early in the day. You’re likely to see lions on the move, cheetahs hunting, and large herds of elephants, the Evening Game Drive: As the sun sets, the golden light is perfect for photography. Hyenas and leopards often appear at this time and a Full-Day Drive: With a packed lunch, you can explore deeper areas of the park like the northern and western corridors.
Watch the Great Migration
The Great Migration is one of the most powerful natural events in the world. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and thousands of gazelles move in a large circle through Serengeti and into Kenya’s Masai Mara, searching for fresh grazing land and water.
Depending on the time of year, you can see different stages of this, January–March: Calving season in the Southern Serengeti. Thousands of babies are born, attracting many predators, April–June: Herds move west and north, crossing rivers and open plains, July–October: The famous Mara River crossings in the Northern Serengeti, where animals face crocodile-filled waters and finally November–December: Return to the south to start again
Watching the great migration is witnessing life, danger, courage, and instinct all in one.
Experience a Hot Air Balloon Safari
This is also one of the most magical things you can do in Serengeti. You wake up before sunrise and float high above the plains in a hot air balloon.
As the sky changes colour, you’ll see animals moving below, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and even lions from a safe height. The peaceful silence and the beauty of the landscape make this a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
After landing, you’re treated to a champagne bush breakfast. It’s luxury and nature combined.
Take a Walking Safari (In Designated Zones)
While most of Serengeti is reserved for vehicle safaris, some areas outside the central region offer walking safaris. These are guided by armed rangers and experienced trackers.
You’ll walk through savannahs and learn about, Animal tracks and dung, Local plants used for medicine, Insect life and bird behaviour, Survival skills in the bush
A walking safari is quiet, slow, and deeply immersive. It’s not about big animals only, it’s about the small details you miss in a car.
Bird Watching
Serengeti is home to over 500 bird species. Whether you’re a serious birder or just curious, you’ll be amazed by the colours, sounds, and variety. Common birds in the park include secretary bird, lilac-breasted rollers, Ostriches, Grey crowned cranes, Martial eagles and superb starlings.
For this activity one would require binoculars, and often ask your guard to stop when you spot something. Birdwatching is sometimes a thrilling experience.
Visit the Retima Hippo Pool
In central Serengeti, this hippo pool is home to dozens of hippos crowded together in muddy water. You can watch them splash, grunt, and fight for space, from a safe viewpoint nearby.
This is one of the few places where you can get out of your vehicle and enjoy the scene up close but not very close since these giants can be very dangerous to human life.
Enjoy a Cultural Visit with the Maasai
Just outside the Serengeti, you can visit Maasai villages. The Maasai are one of East Africa’s most well-known tribes, famous for their traditional dressing, jumping dances, and cattle-keeping culture.
On this visit you will be able to learn about Maasai customs and daily life, enter a manyatta (traditional home), watch a cultural dance performance and support local women by buying handmade jewellery
This visit is an opportunity to meet people who live in harmony with wildlife and protect their heritage.
Explore Seronera Visitor Centre
Located in central Serengeti, this visitor centre is a great place to learn more about many things such as, the history of Serengeti, wildlife conservation efforts, the ecosystem and migration. There are walking trails, educational displays, and even a small café. It’s a good break between game drives, especially for families and first-time visitors.
Photograph the Landscape and Wildlife
Even if you’re not a professional photographer, Serengeti will inspire you to take stunning photos for scenes such as the sunrise over the savannah, sunset turning the sky golden, lions yawning in golden grass, wildebeest in long lines and the leopards in trees.
Bring extra batteries, memory cards, and zoom lenses if possible. The light, the movement, and the silence all make for powerful moments to capture.
Where to Stay in Serengeti
There is a variety to choose from on the accommodation. From luxury lodges, tented camps, and public campsites. Most accommodations include meals, guided safaris, and warm hospitality.
You can visit Serengeti any time of year, but your experience will vary. The dry season (June–October) is best for seeing animals clearly, especially during the migration.
The Green season (November–May) usually has fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and lower prices. Choose a time to visit based on what you want to see, calving season, river crossings or peaceful landscapes.
Tips for a Great Visit
- Book early, especially during migration months.
- Wear neutral colours like khaki, brown, or green.
- Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Always listen to your guide, it’s wild out there!
- Carry a good camera or even a journal to record your experience
Every Moment in Serengeti national park is Wild; it is not just about animals. It’s about feeling the wind, hearing the silence of the plains, and watching life unfold naturally. Every game drive, every sunrise, every lion’s roar stays with you long after you’ve left.
There’s a reason Serengeti is one of the most loved places in the world. It connects you to the Earth in a way few places can.