Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Serengeti national park is among Africa’s best destinations for wildlife viewing. The protected area is rich in biodiversity including Big Five mammals which include lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffaloe; wildebeest migration and over 500 species of birds. The park covers 14,763 sq. km extending north adjoining Maasai Mara national park (1,510 sq. km) in Kenya, Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast and to the west bordering lake Victoria. Serengeti national park comprises four distinct sectors, each defined by unique terrain and wildlife concentrations. Select your ideal sector based on the season of your visit and your specific interests, such as the calving season or the iconic Mara and Grumeti river crossings.
Sectors of Serengeti national park
Seronera
The Seronera sector encampasses the central part of the park where the southern short grass plains transition into the northern woodlands. The Seronera river and tributaries including Ngare Nanyuki flow through the area to create rich alluvial soils which support dense riverine forests consisting of Sausage and yellow fever trees and the river valleys are dominated by umbrella thorn trees. Due to permanent sources of water and green pastures throughout the year, Seronera valley sustains a large number of resident wildlife that don’t migrate including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, impalas which are a reliable source of food for predators. As a result, Seronera is the best sector to see big cats year round which include leopards and lions. Look out for leopards in the Sausage tree branches and lions tend to rest on the granite rocky outcrops like Maasai, Magamu, and Sametu Kopjes which provide high-ground vantage points. Seronera sector serves as the park headquarters and the primary hub for hot air balloon safaris in Serengeti national park. The sector is best for year round big cat sightings and for first-time visitors.
Southern Plains
Southern Serengeti is a flat short-grass plain where you can see the curvature of the earth due to the treeless horizon. This short grass stems from the underlying hard volcanic soil layer known as Caliche. Formed due to volcanic deposits from the Ngorongoro Highlands, the hard layer prevents deep root trees from growing, creating a treeless landscape. The volcanic layer is rich in minerals including calcium carbonate, phosphorus, and magnesium and the grasses are highly nutritious for the lactating wildebeests. Between December and February the herds congregate in Southern Serengeti for the calving season. With an estimated 8,000 calves born per day, the plains became hunting grounds for cheetahs, making for a must-visit gem for a keen photographer. Most importantly, Southern Serengeti adjoins Ndutu Plains which is part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In this area off-road game drives are permitted which offers an opportunity to follow wildlife beyond the beaten track. The Southern Serengeti is a must-visit gem for a keen photographer and offers wildebeest calving season, and off-road wildlife drives in Ndutu Plains.
Western Corridor
Defined by the seasonal Mbalageti and permanent Grumeti rivers which flow westwards and empty into Lake Victoria, Western Corridor offers a lush tropical environment. Evergreen riverine forests consist of Mahogany, date palms, and giant figs harbor primates black and white colobus and Patas monkeys which are found nowhere else in Serengeti national park. In May, the wildebeests are in the corridor for their rutting season, which offers an opportunity to witness fierce male competition and courtship behavior. Following the rut, the herds must cross the Grumeti river, home to massive Nile crocodiles. For those intending to enjoy privacy on their safari to Serengeti, the corridor borders with private concessions including Grumeti Game Reserve (350,000 acres). In this reserve, visitor traffic is highly regulated and guests can enjoy night game drives and walking safaris which are not permitted in the main park. The Western Corridor is best for exclusive safaris, primate encounters, and the wildebeest rutting season.
Northern Serengeti
Characterized by rolling hills and rugged granite rock formations including Lobo Hills, Kogatende Ridge, the Northern Serengeti sector is a landscape of tall grass woodland savanna dominated. Dense acacia woodlands and Combretum terminalia species such as Vachellia robusta, Whistling Thorn, and Terminalia glaucescens stay green and provide refuge for wildlife throughout the dry season. Mara river and its tributaries which include Bologonja, Naironya, Nanyuki serve as the bloodlife of Northern Serengeti. The main highlight of Northern Serengeti are the Mara river crossings which occur between July and October as the wildebeests attempt to cross from Serengeti into Maasai Mara national park in Kenya. In addition to the dramatic river crossings, the unique rocky terrain harbors unique wildlife species such as Klipspringers and Oribis. Northern Serengeti offers an opportunity to witness Mara river crossings, unique wildlife species such as Klipspringers and a remote wilderness safari experience.
The wildebeest migration
The Great wildebeest migration, the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world is the most spectacular attraction for Serengeti national park. Over 1.8 million animals which include 1.3 m wildebeests, 200,000 plains zebras, 200,000 Thomson’s gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii), and 15,000 Elands (Taurotragus oryx) trek for over 1,000 km in search of the fresh pasture and water. Much of the migration happens in Serengeti and the Serengeti national park migration was declared one of the 7 wonders of Africa.
The Serengeti wildebeest migration loop
The movement of the Great Migration follows a roughly clockwise direction, beginning in the Southern Plains between December-March, where the nutrient-dense short grasses trigger the calving season and provide the best conditions for newborn wildlife. As the rains cease and the southern plains dry out, the herds move north through Seronera valley in April, using it as a transitional corridor. By May and June, the migration loop tightens in the Western Corridor for the rutting season and the first major river crossing obstacles at the Grumeti. The journey of the wildebeest migration culminates in the Northern Sector between July-October, where the permanent waters of the Mara River provide the only sanctuary during the dry season. Finally, as the short rains begin in November, the herds move back down the eastern boundary to return to the southern calving grounds, completing the cycle.
Where To Stay
Serengeti national park offers a wide range of accommodation evenly distributed across the sectors and neighboring concessions.
&Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge
Situated on the banks of Grumeti river in the Western Corridor, &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge offers a sleek, modern eco-friendly design with traditional safari elements. There are 10 suites each with spectacular river views, deep-soaking tub, indoor rain shower, private plunge pool and minibar.
Serengeti Ark Safari Lodge
In the remote areas of northern Serengeti, 30 minutes drive away from the Mara river is the Serengeti Ark Safari Lodge. It is one of the best places to stay for those intending to witness the Mara river crossings between July and October. The lodge offers 20 rooms rustically designed with modern amenities including en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold showers. Facilities include an adult and children’s swimming pool along with a bar, lounge area and a restaurant serving local, international, and Chinese cuisine.
One Nature Nyaruswiga Lodge
Located in Seronera Valley, One Nature Nyaruswiga, offers 14 ultra-luxury tented suites, each with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, copper bathtubs, and firestove. Elegant facilities at the lodge include two-level heated infinity pool, a 24-hour fitness center, Spa services, dining lounge and bar.