Serengeti National Park is one of the most iconic safari destinations in the world. With its vast landscape, diverse wildlife, and incredible ecosystems, planning your safari route within the park is crucial for ensuring you get the most out of your experience. In this guide, we will discuss some of the top safari routes in Serengeti and the best viewing areas to ensure you see the park’s stunning wildlife and landscapes.
Top Serengeti Safari Routes You Shouldn’t Miss
Serengeti National Park offers a variety of safari routes that are perfect for game viewing, depending on the time of year and specific wildlife you wish to see. Here are some of the most popular and must-visit routes:
1. Central Serengeti (Seronera Region)
- Best for: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, and elephants.
- Description: The Seronera area in the central Serengeti is one of the park’s most famous routes, providing some of the best game viewing in the world. It’s home to an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five. The Seronera River, which runs through the area, attracts large numbers of animals throughout the year, making it an excellent place to spot predators and prey alike. It’s also a great location to see cheetahs and the annual wildebeest migration when they pass through.
2. Western Serengeti (Grumeti River Region)
- Best for: Wildebeest migration, crocodiles, and lions.
- Description: The Western Serengeti is famous for its dramatic river crossings during the Great Wildebeest Migration. The Grumeti River is where wildebeests face their most perilous moments, with crocodiles waiting to ambush them. If you visit during the migration, you’ll be in the right place to witness the breathtaking river crossings, where thousands of wildebeests try to swim across to the other side, dodging crocodiles and predators.
3. Northern Serengeti (Lobo Area)
- Best for: Wildebeest migration, lions, and leopards.
- Description: This area is famous for being a prime viewing spot for the wildebeest migration, especially during the dry season when the herds tend to move towards the Mara River. The Lobo area offers less crowded safari routes and spectacular views of wildlife in a more secluded part of the Serengeti. It is also home to high concentrations of predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
4. Southern Serengeti (Ndutu Region)
- Best for: Calving season, cheetahs, lions, and migratory birds.
- Description: Located in the southern part of Serengeti, Ndutu is known for the calving season that takes place in the early months of the year. This route offers excellent opportunities for seeing newborn wildebeest and other antelope species, as well as the predators that hunt them. It’s a great place to witness cheetahs and lions in action, and you might even catch the migratory birds that make Serengeti their seasonal home.
5. Eastern Serengeti (Naabi Hill Area)
- Best for: Leopards, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants.
- Description: The Naabi Hill area is located on the eastern side of Serengeti, offering some of the park’s most stunning panoramic views. This area is perfect for spotting a variety of wildlife, from the Big Five to smaller creatures like giraffes and zebras. During the migration season, the region attracts vast herds of wildebeest and zebra, making it an excellent location for observing wildlife interactions.
Best Serengeti View Points for Wildlife Sightings
While traveling through the Serengeti, you’ll come across several fantastic viewing points that allow for breathtaking vistas and prime wildlife observation. These are some of the best spots to take in the park’s beauty and spot animals:
1. Naabi Hill
- Best for: Panoramic views of Serengeti plains, wildebeest migration, and large herds.
- Description: Naabi Hill is one of the most popular view points in Serengeti, offering a panoramic view of the Serengeti plains. The hill is a great spot to observe herds of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras during the migration, and it also provides excellent opportunities to see large predators lurking in the grasslands.
2. Seronera River Valley
- Best for: Lions, leopards, and elephants near water.
- Description: The Seronera River Valley is one of the park’s most iconic areas, known for its abundant wildlife and picturesque landscapes. The river attracts many animals, including elephants and predators such as lions and leopards, making it an ideal location for game viewing. The surrounding area is also great for bird watching.
3. Lobo Valley
- Best for: Wildebeest migration, predators, and panoramic landscapes.
- Description: Lobo is a remote area in the northern Serengeti, offering expansive views of the savannah. The Lobo Valley is excellent for observing large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and elephants. It’s a great location to spot predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and it provides stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
4. Moru Kopjes
- Best for: Lions, leopards, and cheetahs on top of rock formations.
- Description: The Moru Kopjes are unique rock formations in the central Serengeti that provide a perfect habitat for predators. Lions are often spotted lounging on top of the kopjes, offering a fantastic photo opportunity. Cheetahs and leopards also use these rocks as vantage points to spot prey.
5. Sogore Hill
- Best for: Breathtaking views of the Serengeti landscape and the migration.
- Description: Sogore Hill is an elevated spot in the Serengeti offering expansive views of the surrounding plains. It’s an excellent location to observe wildlife movements, particularly during the migration season when herds of wildebeest and zebras move across the plains. From the hill, you can get a bird’s-eye view of large herds, predators, and the Serengeti’s stunning landscapes.
6. Grumeti River
- Best for: Wildebeest migration, crocodile sightings, and dramatic river crossings.
- Description: The Grumeti River is famous for its role during the Great Wildebeest Migration, where thousands of wildebeests cross the river, often becoming prey for lurking crocodiles. This is one of the most thrilling wildlife viewing spots in Serengeti and is particularly busy during the migration season.
Tips for Planning Your Serengeti Safari Route
- Timing is Key: Serengeti’s wildlife sightings vary by season, so knowing when to visit is crucial. If you want to see the Great Migration, plan your trip during the peak months of July to October when wildebeest, zebras, and predators are most active.
- Early Morning and Late Afternoon: The best times for game drives are early in the morning and late in the afternoon when animals are more active. Serengeti’s large size means you may need to drive a few hours to reach the prime wildlife viewing areas.
- Hire a Guide: To make the most of your safari experience, consider hiring an experienced guide. They know the routes, wildlife behaviors, and will help you spot animals you might otherwise miss.
- Private vs. Group Safari: While private safaris offer flexibility, joining a group safari can also provide a more affordable way to explore Serengeti and meet fellow travelers.
Conclusion
Serengeti National Park offers an unforgettable safari experience with its diverse range of safari routes and breathtaking wildlife sightings. Whether you are exploring the Seronera River Valley, chasing the Great Wildebeest Migration in the northern Serengeti, or observing lions from the top of a kopje, the park has something to offer every traveler. Plan your Serengeti safari carefully, and don’t forget to visit the best view points to capture the stunning landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of this world-famous park.