The different areas of the Serengeti: Landscape, Wildlife, Weather
The Serengeti is without a doubt one of Africa’s best gems and Tanzania’s most esteemed tourist attraction. It is renowned for its mind-blowing wildlife and jaw-dropping landscapes, drawing tens of thousands of tourists from around the world each year. In fact, Serengeti National Park was once again hailed as The Best Wildlife Park in 2018. And with an impressive area of 14,750 km², it is easy to get lost in the wilderness, or at least get confused on where to go. Luckily, the park is divided into regions: northern, southern, central and western. Each region highlights certain animals and animal movement, usually dependent on the time of year you’re visiting. The Great Wildebeest Migration as an example, moves around the park and visits each area at different times of the year. To know when to visit you should ask your tour operator for guidance or look for a map of the Wildebeest Migration movement. So here’s a guide to show you the different areas of the Serengeti as well as an overview of its landscape, wildlife and weather…
Southern Serengeti
Southern Serengeti is recognized as one of the most visited areas of the park. It covers Ndutu area, Lake Ndutu and Naabi Hill, and it sits closely to iconic attractions Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge. The most popular part of this region is Ndutu as it is home to the Wildebeest Migration’s calving season. It is also important to note that many of the lodges in the Ndutu region tend to be seasonal, closing their doors from April until October of each year. Camping is also not possible in Ndutu.
Landscape:The southern region of the Serengeti is naturally endowed with awe-inspiring terrain made up of nutrient-rich, flattened, open plains and short grasses as well as some granite kopjes spread out. With this type of vegetation, game viewing is guaranteed to be exceptional all throughout the year.
There is also a small seasonal lake in this region called Lake Ndutu or Lagarja. The lake is surrounded by beautiful acacia trees and is in no doubt one of the most scenic places in the area. Aside from a good animal population around the lake, it also supports an amazing bird life, giving ample opportunities to see incredible flocks of pink flamingos.
Wildlife: Favored by many filmmakers and photographers for its vibrant wildlife and amazing topography, the southern sector of Serengeti is filled with species such as Wildebeest, Zebra, Eland, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Giraffe, Elephant, Caracal, Hyena and Jackal. Giraffes, along with many species of birds, are commonly seen around Ndutu Lake
As mentioned, this part of Serengeti hosts the Wildebeest Migration’s calving season from January to March. During this time, about 8,000 baby wildebeests are born each day and it is normal to expect predators looking to pick off an easy meal. Hence, action-packed safaris can be expected.
Best time to visit: January to March when the area, especially Ndutu, is taken over by thousands of wildebeests along with some zebras and gazelles for the wildebeest calving season.
Western Serengeti
Commonly known as the Western Corridor, this region is made up of these two places: Grumeti and Ikoma. The region is known to be the “starting point of the Wildebeest Migration’s river crossings”.
Landscape: The Western Corridor landscape is hilly and wooded, with large forests of acacia and a terrain stretching without end beneath an infinite sky.
Wildlife:This region is teeming with predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Nile crocodiles can also be seen along the Grumeti River which is the setting of the Wildebeest Migration’s first leg of river crossing AKA “pre-World Cup”. Other rare and beautiful species found in the area are Black and white Colobus monkeys, fast-paced Patas monkeys, and a good population of impala, topi, reedbuck, waterbuck, Coke’s hartebeest, roan antelope, buffalo and elephant.
Guided walks and night game drives are additional safari activities that are available outside this area of Serengeti National Park. Note, however, that these activities are prohibited in the Kirawira Area.
Best time to visit:Around May to July to see the sensational migration and if lucky, catch the Grumeti river crossing.
For travelers who are looking to save money or avoid spending so much on their safari, April and May offer unique opportunities for visitors to experience luxury lodges at a fraction of the price. The main reason for this is because these months are considered low season and the rainiest months of the year.
Camping is definitely not recommended in the wet and muddy conditions.
Central Serengeti
Central Serengeti is the heart of the park where you’ll find the best game viewing at any time of year. It is often called Seronera and the area is full of animals all the time. Here, you can find the famous Seronera Airstrip and the Serengeti Visitor’s Center. It is also the area of Serengeti with the most number of lodges/camps (from budget to luxury). Also, Central Serengeti is the site for exhilarating hot air balloon safaris.
Landscape:Featuring a vast range of diverse ecosystems which covers grasslands that stretch out to the horizon, acacia forests and riverine areas, Central Seronera supports many different species. It also offers the quintessential African scenery, giving a nostalgic “Lion King feels”.
Sitting at the northern region of the Seronera River Valley is the famous Retina Hippo Pool. This waterhole is inhabited by massive numbers of hippos thereby providing high chances of witnessing hippo action.
Wildlife: Aside from the incredible population of hippos, large herds of giraffes, antelopes, elephants and zebras call this area home throughout the year. Big cats like lions, leopaards and cheetahs also remain in the area regardless of where the Wildebeest Migration is.
Best time to visit: June marks the beginning of the peak season of the Seronera. Although the area is splendid all year round, the most action and drama and bewilderment can be experienced between June and October when the region is swarmed by migratory hooves and opportunistic predators.
Northern Serengeti
The popular Kogatende and Lobo areas are parts of Northern Serengeti. Bologonja Gate, Sand River Gate, Sekenani Gate, Klein’s Gate, Lobo Airstrip and Kogatende Airstrip can also be found here. Because this is nearest the Kenyan border and the iconic Mara River, a number of seasonal camps and lodges open during Wildebeest Migration River Crossing months for travelers who want courtside seats to the “World Cup of Wildlife”.
Landscape: In the northern region, you can expect a scenic landscape made up of hills, riverine forests, plains and rocky outcrops. The immense Mara River also cuts through this area, which provides the setting for the mind-blowing river crossing event that’s often regarded to as “The World Cup of Wildlife”.
Usually combined with a tour around Seronera, these two areas provide an ultimate Great Migration experience. The area is also serviced by the Lobo campsite for those on a tight budget.
Wildlife: Considered the quieter part of the park, the northern Serengeti are is renowned for its cheetahs, one of Africa’s most sought-after big cats. These felines can be seen running around the northern plains, although they are also visible in other parts.
During the river crossing, what can be seen is world’s most amazing wildlife spectacle: over two million wildebeests, hundreds and thousands of zebras and Thomson’s gazelles, along with massive herds of Grant’s gazelles, kudus and impalas attempt to cross the Mara River in search for grazing and water. While they undergo their greatest feat during the journey, Nile crocodiles and hippos do not make it any easier for them. On the other side, lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs and some other predators also await.
Best time to visit:Around July to October is considered the best time to visit Northern Serengeti. Not only can visitors get great chances of catching the river crossing, some migratory animals also stay behind and linger around this area. November is another excellent time because the migratory animals who successfully reached Masai Mara on the other side start to head back to the southern region for calving season.
Weather
Weather in Serengeti National Park is fantastic and pretty predictable, with average temperature almost within the same range throughout the year. Generally, it’s cold during early mornings and night time. However, it does not get very hot. Average low if 15°C and average high is 22°C.
There are two seasons in the Serengeti: wet and dry. The wet season is divided into short rains and long rains, which varies on the level or length of precipitations during those months. November and December are short rains season, while end of March until May is long rains season, the wettest time of the year. June to October are the driest months.
Serengeti National Park is without a doubt an amazing safari park with unbelievable fauna and flora. Wherever you go, you will be rewarded with a safari experience you will never forget. Plus, there is no shortage of options when it comes to Serengeti safari lodges and camps no matter what the budget or style.
