Best Time to Visit Serengeti

The best time to visit Serengeti National Park is from January to February or from June to October. However, due to Serengeti’s density of wildlife, it offers a spectacular safari experience regardless of the time of the year you visit. The park’s open plains and mild climate mean that the vegetation cover is never too dense to see animals and ecosystem’s two short rainy seasons from November to December and March to April are rarely too unpleasant.

Game viewing at a waterhole in Serengeti

Month By Month Guide for the Best Time to Visit Serengeti

Serengeti in January

Wet season – One of the best times to visit Serengeti

In January, temperatures are high with plenty of sun and usually rainfall takes the form of sporadic afternoon showers. The wildlife is spread out over a large area, making game viewing a little more difficult.

For photographers, this is an interesting time for photography as the park is at its most spectacular visually, with plenty of sunshine hours in between the rainfall. Serengeti is green and in broom with migratory birds present in breeding colors.

If you are visiting Serengeti National Park in January, carry your insect repellent close as the insect numbers increase at this time of year.

Serengeti in February

Wet season – One of the best times to visit Serengeti

With plenty of sun, the temperatures are high and rainfall usually takes the form of sporadic afternoon showers. Wildlife has spread out over a large area making game viewing a bit difficult as you have to cover large areas to see the animals.

February is an interesting time for photography as the park is at its most spectacular visually with plenty of sunshine hours in between the rainfall. Serengeti is green and in bloom with migratory birds present in breeding colors.

The number of interests increase in February, so you are advised to carry insect repellent.

Serengeti in March

Wet season – a quieter time to visit Serengeti

Hot temperatures with plenty of sunshine are experienced in March in Serengeti National Park, rain can fall for prolonged periods making safari a gamble during this period. Wildlife in the Serengeti has spread out over a large area making game a little more difficult to spot.

March is an interesting time for photography, Serengeti National Park is beautiful and green with migratory birds present.

Insect numbers increase during March, so it is advised to carry insect repellent with you.

Serengeti in April

Wet season – a quieter time to visit Serengeti

Temperatures are still hot with plenty of sunshine, rain can fall for prolonged periods making safari a gamble during April. Wildlife has spread out over a large area, making game a little more difficult to spot.

This season is known as the “Emerald Season”, the Serengeti is beautiful and green with migrator y birds present. This season is also an interesting time for photography in Serengeti as it is at its most spectacular visually, with plenty of sunshine hours in between the rainfall.

Still, insect numbers are high in March, so carry an insect repellent with you.

Balloon flight in Serengeti

Serengeti in May

Wet season – a good time to visit Serengeti

May marks the end of the wet season and the start of the dry season, with a handful of afternoon showers, humidity is low and temperatures are hot.

Wildlife viewing can be difficult with animals spread over vast tracts of land and migratory birds fly North over the course of the month, lowering birding from exceptional to excellent.

Serengeti in June

Dry Season – One of the best times to visit Serengeti

June marks the start of the dry season, temperatures are hot, humidity is low and rainfall in unlikely. This is the ideal time of year for a walking safari and fly – camping, if you are interested in more adventure.

This month is a good time to visit Serengeti, with lower visitor traffic than conditions dictate.

Serengeti in July

Dry Season – One of the best times to visit Serengeti

It is now full dry season with cooler but still warm temperatures, rain has dried up.

Game viewing is exceptional as animals congregate around water sources and the lack of clouds produce incredible night skies, showcasing the Milky Way in all its glory. July is also an ideal time for walking safari and fly camping in Serengeti National Park.

The traffic of visitors can pick up at this time of year, leading to shared sightings and less intimate bush experience at most of the camps in Serengeti.

Photography conditions are good, the air is relatively thin and still, with sunrises and sunsets being particularly good.

Lioness and her cub

Serengeti in August

Dry Season – One of the best times to visit Serengeti

The dry season continues with cooler but still warm temperatures, and the rain has dried up. Game viewing is exceptional as animals congregate around water sources in huge numbers to drink water and cool off.

The lack of clouds produce incredible night skies, showcasing the Milky Way in all its glory. Photography conditions are good, the air is relatively thin with sunrises and sunsets being particularly good.

August is an ideal time of year for walking safari and fly camping.

Numbers of visitors pick up at this time of year, thus shared game sightings and a less intimate bush experience at many of safari lodges and camps.

Serengeti in September

Dry Season – one of the best times to visit Serengeti

September is still a dry season with color but still warm temperatures and rain has dried up.

Game viewing is exceptional with animals congregating at water sources in huge numbers, it is also the ideal time for walking safari and fly camping if you are feeling a little more adventures. Photography conditions in Serengeti are good, the air is relatively thin and sunrises and sunrises are still particularly good.

The visitor traffic can pick up at this time of year, leading to shared sightings and a less intimate bush experience at many safari lodges and camps.

Serengeti in October

Dry Season – One of the best times to visit Serengeti

In September the dry season is coming to an end with temperatures and humidity rising before the first afternoon showers fall.

Game viewing in Serengeti is exceptional as animals congregate around water sources. In this month it is difficult to predict changes on the ground with uncertain rainfall transforming the dry dusty landscape.

If you don’t mind the heat, this month is a great time to visit with tourist numbers dropping drastically in the park.

Serengeti in November

Dry Season – a good time to visit Serengeti

By November, the wet season has arrived in Serengeti with higher temperatures and usually short afternoon rainfall.

Game viewing is still good with animals slowly spreading out as food and water becomes readily available. The migratory birds begin to return to Serengeti as the park transforms with new greenery ushering in a time of plenty.

If you don’t mind the weather, September is a great time to visit with tourist numbers dropping drastically in Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti in December

Wet season – a good time to visit Serengeti

The wet season continues in Serengeti National Park with higher temperatures and usual short afternoon rainfall. Game viewing is still good with animals slowly spreading out as green vegetation and water comes readily available.

Serengeti National Park is green and in bloom with migratory birds present in breeding colors.

If you don’t mind the weather, this is a great time to visit with tourist numbers dropping drastically in the park.