Southern Serengeti Safari Tanzania
The Southern Serengeti, spanning from the central plains to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maswa Game Reserve, is a premier safari destination renowned for the Great Migration’s calving season from December to April. This region features short-grass plains, acacia woodlands, and Lake Ndutu, hosting immense wildebeest herds, abundant predators, and exceptional photographic opportunities.
Key Highlights & Activities
Calving Season (Dec–Apr): The herds settle in this area to give birth to thousands of calves, attracting high concentrations of predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Ndutu Area: Known for its shallow lakes and marshlands, this area is a focal point for wildlife during the wet season.
Landscape: Characterized by vast, open grass plains and iconic kopjes (rock formations).
Cultural & History: Near the region is Olduvai Gorge, the “Cradle of Mankind”.
Activities: Game drives, birdwatching, walking safaris (in some concession areas), and luxury mobile tented camps that follow the herds.
8-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit
Days: 8 | Nights: 7
An 8-day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari provides a comprehensive tour of Tanzania’s premier wildlife destinations, covering Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater. This itinerary generally starts and ends in Arusha, offering prime opportunities to witness the Great Migration, the Big Five, and diverse landscapes.
10-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit
Days: 10 | Nights: 9
In 10-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Itinerary, you will visit the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park, two of the most famous safari locations in the world. There is a plethora of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable adventures waiting for you. Climb Olmoti Crater, venture out into the bush before sunrise to hunt big game, and, if you’re lucky, see the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular natural events.
9-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit
Days: 9 | Nights: 8
The 9-day Northern Circuit is Mount Kilimanjaro’s longest and most scenic trekking route, offering over 90% summit success due to superior acclimatization. Beginning on the western Lemosho trail, it circles the northern slopes, providing a quiet wilderness experience before the final summit push. This itinerary is ideal for those seeking a, less-crowded, high-success journey.
5-Day Great Migration Serengeti
Days: 5 | Nights: 4
The 5-day Great Migration safari focusing on the Northern Serengeti typically runs from July to October, targeting the dramatic Mara River crossings. This high-intensity itinerary covers Arusha, and the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) to maximize wildlife viewing, including the Big Five and the herds, usually utilizing 4×4 vehicles and potentially a return flight from the Mara to save time.
Southern Serengeti
From the base of the Central Serengeti all the way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maswa Game Reserve, the breathtakingly gorgeous Southern Serengeti is characterised by infinite stretches of grassy plains dotted with granite kopjes. Among the finest times to watch Great Migration animals is from December through May, when large herds of gazelle, zebra, and wildebeest come to calve. At the start of the dry season, they begin to migrate north again, this time in quest of greener grass. Thousands of newborn wildebeests make their way across the savanna in February, drawing the attention of the region’s many predators like hyenas, lions, and cheetahs.
A seasonal territory, the Southern Serengeti sees few herds during the dry season (May–October) due to the parched plains and lack of available grazing.
Since a large portion of the Southern Serengeti is located outside of the national park, off-road driving is permitted at lodges and camps but is not allowed elsewhere.
Southern Serengeti Highlights
Going on daily game drives in the Southern Serengeti is the best way to witness the Great Migration in action. Whether it’s the newborn wildebeests making their grand entrance onto the verdant plains in the spring or the enormous herds making their way north to the Masai Mara, there’s always something new to see.
You can witness the complete cycle of the Great Migration in the Southern Serengeti. In December, when the green season begins, the herds return to graze. In January and February, babies are born. And at the end of the rains, as the grass starts to dry up, the herds depart.
Walking safaris are possible in the Southern Serengeti, although this is not the case everywhere in the Serengeti. One of the greatest ways to get a feel for the bush and see animals up close that game drives can’t reach is to walk through it. Walking amongst huge animals is an unforgettable safari experience; it’s a thrilling encounter unlike any other.
There is a launch station in the Southern Serengeti where hot air ballooning is offered. Experience a new form of wildlife viewing and breathtaking vistas of the expansive plains on a leisurely sunrise flight. Observing the birth of young wildebeest on the grassland during a hot air balloon safari in the Southern Serengeti in February is an unforgettable experience.
The Serengeti Cheetah Project, located in the Southern Serengeti, is monitoring cheetah numbers in the hopes of helping to conserve this very vulnerable species. Guests at certain area camps are asked to help with cheetah conservation efforts by contributing to cheetah research with images and details about cheetahs seen during game drives.
Southern Serengeti Travel Tips
- There is just one permanent tented camp and a handful of lodges in the Southern Serengeti because game viewing is very seasonal. During the months of the Great Migration, a variety of mobile camps are available, with prices ranging from affordable to luxurious. Lodges located on private concessions that border the Southern Serengeti are another option.
- During the Great Migration, which occurs from December to May in the Southern Serengeti, the few available accommodations fill up quickly, so plan ahead if you want to visit.
- Staying in the Southern Serengeti is a great idea if you want to spend some time in both the Serengeti and the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area.