Eastern Serengeti Tanzania
The Eastern Serengeti is a remote, exclusive region of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park known for vast,, untamed plains, the iconic Gol Kopjes, and the highest cheetah concentration in Africa. It is a premier, less-crowded destination for viewing the Great Migration (November–May) and big cats, featuring specialized, luxurious camps in areas like Namiri Plains and Soit Le Motonyi.
Mountain ranges, valleys, and expansive grassy plains—all of which become verdant during the green season—scattered with granite outcrops and cut through by winding rivers make up the Eastern Serengeti, one of the most picturesque parts of the park. Being one of the park’s less populated areas, it’s ideal for intrepid tourists who want to go off the main path on their safari.
Wildlife viewing in the area is possible at any time of year, but visitors should plan their visits for November through February to witness the Great Migration herds making their way to the Southern Serengeti. The plains grow verdant and lush from December to May, which is the green season, and a great deal of wildlife flocks there. Famous for its cheetah population, the Gol Kopjes is the Eastern Serengeti’s most recognisable feature; visitors to the region are also likely to see leopards and lions.
The Soit Le Motonyi region, which was closed for twenty years to facilitate cheetah conservation, reopened in 2014 and is now attracting tourists with its undisturbed grasslands and acacia woodlands, entirely isolated camps, and, of course, cheetah. The region is less than two hours’ drive from the Central Serengeti.
9-Day Bwindi And Serengeti
Days: 9 | Nights: 8
A 9-day Bwindi and Serengeti safari combines intense primate trekking in Uganda with classic Big Five game viewing in Tanzania. Typically starting in Entebbe and ending in Arusha, this itinerary features 1-2 days of gorilla trekking, transit to Tanzania, and 3-4 days exploring the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Maasai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Days: 6 | Nights: 5
This 6-day, cross-border safari covers Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, offering a premier experience of the Big Five and the Great Migration. This intense tour involves early starts, scenic drives through the Great Rift Valley, and border crossings between Kenya and Tanzania.
Eastern Serengeti Highlights
One of the most exciting parts of an Eastern Serengeti safari is the hunt for cheetah, which is best done in the Gol Kopjes area. During the rainy season from January to June, when the Great Migration herds are passing through the area, the Gol Kopjes, which are known as the world’s largest Japanese rock garden and home to the continent’s highest concentration of cheetah, provide some of the best game viewing opportunities in the Serengeti. The rock formations are enormous and made of granite.
The recently reopened Soit Le Motonyi sector is one of the most remote and least developed corners of the Serengeti, offering an opportunity to explore the rough nature with few other tourists. It is located where short grassy plains meet acacia woods. After being off-limits to the public for twenty years to facilitate cheetah conservation efforts, the area is currently home to the Serengeti’s largest concentration of untamed cheetah.
During the Great Migration herds’ passage through the area from November to April, leopards and lions can be seen on the rocky outcrops, and other wildlife can be spotted all year round due to the permanent water supply. The “long rains” period from March to May attracts a huge number of feasting hyenas. Highlights of your time at one of the two camps in the Soit Le Motonyi area will include walking safaris, interacting with a cheetah researcher, learning about conservation techniques, and contributing to data collection on spotted cheetahs.
Lake Natron, a pinkish-crusted, vibrantly coloured lake that draws millions of flamingos from June to November, is a great outside-the-park side trip for anyone staying in the Eastern Serengeti. Marvel at the breathtaking landscapes all around you while you swim in the lake. Think canyons, waterfalls, and volcanic craters. Ol Doinyo Lengai, also known as “Mountain of God” in Maasai, is an active volcano that dominates the Rift Valley and is located at the lake’s southern end. Ol Doinyo Legai’s 29,62-meter climb can be completed in three days by daring adventurers who aren’t afraid of a challenge.
Eastern Serengeti Travel Tips
- You’ll need to plan ahead because there is a scarcity of accommodation in the Eastern Serengeti; yet, this is ideal if you value solitude and quiet.
- The nearest airstrip to campers in the Soit Le Motonyi region is Seronera, about 1.5 hours away by car. During the peak seasons (December–February and June–October), reservations are required at one of the two camps in Soit Le Motonyi.