The best time to visit the Serengeti, month by month
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
June to October for dry weather and the river crossings in the north; late January to February for calving season in the south. There is no month without the migration — the herds never leave the ecosystem, they only move around it. The real question is not “when,” but “which region for my dates.”
The year, month by month
| Month | Where the herds are | Our honest note |
|---|---|---|
| January | Southern plains (Ndutu) | Calving begins; predator density at its peak |
| February | Southern plains | ~8,000 calves born daily; the best two weeks of the wildlife year |
| March | South, drifting west | Still excellent; afternoon storms build |
| April | Central/west | Long rains. Lowest prices, emptiest park, some camps close |
| May | Western corridor | Green and dramatic; roads heavy after storms |
| June | Western corridor / Grumeti | Grumeti crossings start; superb and underrated |
| July | Moving north | First Mara River crossings; book Kogatende |
| August | Northern Serengeti / Mara | Crossing peak — and visitor peak; book 9+ months out |
| September | North | Crossings continue, crowds ease slightly |
| October | North, turning south | Our favorite quiet-prime month |
| November | Moving south | Short rains; herds on the move — dramatic skies |
| December | Southern plains | Herds regather; festive weeks price like August |
Which region should you book?
This is the decision that separates a good Serengeti safari from a great one, and it is where mismatched itineraries most often go wrong. Match your camp to the month: south (Ndutu/Kusini) December–March, central (Seronera) any month for resident cats, west (Grumeti) May–June, north (Kogatende/Lamai) July–October. A beautiful lodge in the wrong region means four hours of driving before breakfast gets interesting.
Is the green season worth it?
April–May trades certainty for atmosphere: emerald plains, newborn everything, storm-light photographers dream about, and rates 25–35% below peak. You will get wet some afternoons and a few camps close. For a second safari, an emphatic yes; for a once-in-a-lifetime first trip, we usually steer to June–October and say exactly why.
How far ahead should you book?
For August–September crossings or February calving with specific camps: 9–12 months. For June, October or the green season: 3–6 months is usually comfortable. Balloon safaris and family tents sell out first in every season.
Bidan · Founder, Black WillowZanzibar-born, fifteen-plus years designing and personally hosting journeys across East and Southern Africa. The herd notes above are updated from our guides’ monthly field reports.