Luxury Serengeti safaris: the Great Migration, big cats and the finest camps, planned around the herds.
The Serengeti is Africa’s most famous safari destination, home to the Great Migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest and some of the best big-cat viewing on the continent. We match the right area and camps to your travel month, so you are where the action is.
Hand-picked lodges only
We only recommend camps we know well, from Singita to &Beyond, Asilia and Four Seasons.
Private guides and vehicles
Every trip is tailor-made around your dates, pace and budget, never a fixed group tour.
A reply within 24 hours
Tell us what you have in mind and a specialist sends ideas and a draft itinerary.
Why the Serengeti
- The Great Migration: around 1.5 million wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, circle the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara every year.
- Big cats year-round: lions, cheetahs and leopards thrive on the open plains and rocky kopjes.
- Four very different areas: the southern plains, the central Seronera Valley, the western corridor and the remote north, each with its own season.
- Easy to combine with the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and a Zanzibar beach.
Where the Great Migration is, month by month
| Months | Where the herds are | What you will see |
|---|---|---|
| Dec to Mar | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu | Calving season, with thousands of newborns (peaking in February) and intense predator action |
| Apr to May | Moving through the central Serengeti | Long rains, lush plains and very few vehicles |
| Jun to Jul | Western corridor and the Grumeti | Grumeti River crossings and the rut |
| Jul to Oct | Northern Serengeti (Lamai and Kogatende) | Dramatic Mara River crossings |
| Nov | Heading south through the east | Herds on the move with the short rains |
Read our full guide to the wildebeest migration. Movements vary each year with the rains, which is why we position you with flexible camps.
Sample Serengeti safari itineraries
Serengeti Migration in Style
Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and two camps that follow the herds across the Serengeti, with a private vehicle throughout.
From US$14,900 pp
Mara River Crossings
Fly straight to the northern Serengeti for six nights at two riverside camps near the main crossing points.
From US$10,900 pp
Ndutu Calving Season
The southern plains at their most dramatic, with newborn wildebeest, cheetahs and lion prides.
From US$8,900 pp
Singita Grumeti Circuit
Sasakwa, Faru Faru and Sabora in the private Grumeti Reserve. See our Singita guide.
From US$21,900 pp
Serengeti from the Air and Ground
A hot-air balloon flight over the Seronera Valley with a champagne breakfast, then fly-in camps in the central and northern Serengeti.
From US$12,500 pp
Serengeti and Zanzibar
Five Serengeti nights, then a beach finish on Zanzibar. More in safari and beach holidays.
From US$12,900 pp
Guide prices are per person sharing, excluding international flights, and vary by season and availability. Every itinerary can be changed to suit you.
Serengeti areas and where to stay
| Area | Best months | Highlights | Lodges we recommend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern plains and Ndutu | Dec to Mar | Calving season, cheetahs | Seasonal mobile camps such as &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas |
| Central (Seronera) | Year-round | Big cats, balloon safaris | Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Asilia Namiri Plains |
| Western corridor (Grumeti) | Jun to Jul | Grumeti River crossings, a private reserve | Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru and Sabora |
| Northern (Lamai and Kogatende) | Jul to Oct | Mara River crossings | Nomad Lamai, Singita Mara River Tented Camp |
How to get to the Serengeti
Most guests fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, spend a night near Arusha, then take a light-aircraft flight of 1 to 2.5 hours to an airstrip close to their camp, such as Seronera, Kogatende, Grumeti or Ndutu. Flying rather than driving saves a full day and puts you straight into the best game area. Many guests drive one way via the Ngorongoro Crater to see the highlands on the way.
How much does a luxury Serengeti safari cost?
Luxury Serengeti camps typically cost US$900 to US$2,500 per person per night, including meals, game drives and most drinks. The exclusive Grumeti Reserve lodges run from about US$3,430 per person per night. A 6 to 8-night Serengeti safari usually totals US$9,000 to US$22,000 per person, excluding international flights.
Serengeti safari FAQs
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
The Serengeti is excellent year-round, but the best time depends on what you want to see. July to October brings the Mara River crossings in the north, while December to March is calving season in the south. June and July are ideal for the Grumeti River crossings in the west.
How many days do I need in the Serengeti?
We recommend at least 4 nights in the Serengeti itself, ideally split across two areas. Add 2 to 3 nights for the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
Can I see the river crossings for sure?
Crossings depend on the herds and the rain, so no one can guarantee one. Staying 3 or more nights close to the Mara River between August and October gives you the best chance.
Is a hot-air balloon safari worth it?
Yes, for most guests it is a highlight. Flights leave at dawn over the Seronera Valley or the western corridor and end with a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Is the Serengeti suitable for families and honeymooners?
Yes. Family-friendly lodges such as the Four Seasons offer kids’ programmes, while private-pool suites suit honeymooners. See our family safaris and honeymoon safaris.
Plan your Serengeti safari
Tell us when you would like to travel and we will match you with the right area and camps for the migration. We reply within 24 hours with a draft itinerary.
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