Best Time To Visit Serengeti National Park
Best Time To Visit Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti National Park is a famous safari park in the world, which is located in the northern parts of Tanzania. The Serengeti is also known to have sweeping savannah plains and rich wildlife, as well as the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, which is available all year round. Nevertheless, the most common question asked by many tourists who have a safari in mind is: when should I visit the Serengeti National Park?
It will depend on what you would like to experience. The seasons in wildlife viewing in the Serengeti are also quite seasonal due to the migration of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, as well as thousands of gazelles, which move all across the park to find new grazing areas. In conjunction with this, the seasonal rains, the activity of predators, as well as the large geography of the park determine the safari experience.
This paper discusses the various seasons, the best moments of each season, and the important factors to keep in mind to know the most appropriate period to consider when planning your Serengeti adventure.
Understanding of the Serengeti Seasons.
The climate of the Serengeti is of the tropical type, and it has two major rainy seasons and two major dry seasons. The behaviour and accessibility of wildlife are mostly dependent on these seasons.
Short Rains: November – early December.
Dry Season: Mid-December to March.
Long Rains: April to May.
Dry Season (Peak): June -October.
Different seasons are associated with different experiences. These include;
January -March: Calving Season in Southern Serengeti.
January, February and March are the most spectacular months to visit the Serengeti, especially the southern plains around Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
What Happens?
The wildebeest migration rests in the short-grass plains to give birth.
More than 500,000 calves are born within several weeks, which normally coincides with February.
The predators are in their highest level of activity with lions, cheetahs and hyenas exploiting the helpless newborns.
Highlights:
Incredible prey-predator relationships.
Great photo shoots of green scenery.
Calving season is a guarantee of an abundance of wildlife in a single place.
Considerations:
It is likely to experience some rain, but it never poses a serious inconvenience to travel.
This is not as crowded as the months of the peak migration river-crossing.
April – May: Low Season and Long Rains.
The long rainy season is experienced in April and May. This is believed to be the low season of tourism in the Serengeti.
What Happens?
Roads become so muddy and are not easy to drive in due to heavy rains.
The wildebeest herds set out northwards to the central Serengeti.
Highlights:
Perfect landscape (green) and dramatic skies that are perfect for photography.
Reduced number of tourists, that is, less noisy safari tours.
It can also be cheap because lodges usually have discounted prices.
Considerations:
Wildlife is also more scattered, hence game viewing is a bit difficult.
Another factor that can influence travel logistics is weather, particularly in isolated locations.
June – July: The Crossings of the Grumeti River.
The monsoon passes, and June and July will be the beginning of the dry season, and one of the most thrilling wildlife events in the Serengeti first major river crossings.
What Happens?
The migration shifts towards the west.
Wildebeest pass through the river Grumeti in the presence of crocodiles and predators.
Game drives are made easier and comfortable to take during the dry season.
Highlights:
Observing crossings of rivers, with heart-stopping scenes of life.
Good hunting with lots of lions and crocodiles.
Clearly, no cloud and colder weather.
Considerations:
The western corridor may be full of tourists.
The accommodations around the crossings should be reserved in time.
August-October: Crossings in the North at the Mara River.
From August to October, the migration moves to the northern part of the Serengeti and into the Kina Mara of Kenya.
What Happens?
Wildebeest also make dangerous attempts to cross the Mara River, which is regarded as the most dramatic migration.
The level of predation is high, and crocodiles are waiting, and lions are roaming around.
Highlights:
It is the most appropriate moment to observe river crossings, which is a bucket-list adventure.
Wildlife is so dense in the north of the Serengeti.
Clearly blue skies and slight rainfall.
Considerations:
The northern Serengeti is very distant and will have to be accessed either by air or road.
It is the high season for tourists; therefore, prices will be higher and availability will be low.
November – December: the Short Rains and Return South.
When short rains occur, the herds migrate towards the south, thus completing their circular migration pattern.
What Happens?
Fresh grass returns the Serengeti to greenness.
Wildlife is found to be disseminated in the central and southern parts.
Highlights:
Not as busy as the north season.
Good birds can be watched as migratory birds come.
Reduced lodge rates during low seasons.
Considerations:
Game drives may have a certain amount of rainfall, easily containable.
This transition can be unpredictable with regard to migration.
Most Appropriate Times According to Interests.
For the Great Migration:
Calving Season (Jan -Mar): The season when one can observe calving and predator activities.
Grumeti River Crossings (Jun – Jul): Ideal crossing.
Mara River Crossings (Aug -Oct): Optimal dramatic migration.
For General Wildlife Viewing
Dry Season (Jun -Oct): Good all-round visibility as animals congregate around waterholes.
For Birdwatching:
Wet Seasons (Nov -Dec and Mar -May): Perfect with migratory animals and those that are lush.
For Budget Travel:
Low Season (Apr – May): The rates are lower, and there is a lack of tourists.
Practical Travel Tips
Book Early: The Accommodation area is always filled early in the peak migration months (July- October), and early reservations are necessary.
Visit more than one Region: The Serengeti is a huge area; visiting different parts (south, central, west, and north) will bring a more fulfilling experience.
Pack of All Weather: Nights may be chilly, in the dry season, too. During wet seasons, rain gears come in handy.
Hire Expert Guides: Expert guides understand the places of high concentration of wildlife and can contribute to your safari experience.
Take into account Flights: Internal flights are more time-saving, particularly on the trip to the far north Serengeti.
Conclusion
The Serengeti National Park is a 360-day-a-year safari park which features something different at all times of the year. The ultimate decision of the time to visit will depend on what you want to see: the Mara River crossings, which are dramatic, the calving season, whereby all is tender and finally the wildlife with the backdrop of the lush and green landscapes.
During the first visit, June-October is the surest season to see wildlife and nature’s iconic scenes (dry season). To the returning traveller or the bird lover, the wet season provides fewer people taking safari, a greener and equally satisfactory ordeal.
