Serengeti National Park Review: You May Get Disappointed!
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The Serengeti National Park review is based on my recent visit to Tanzania. Similar to the Masai Mara in Kenya it is the most famous safari in Tanzania where each year the Great Migration is happening here.
Serengeti National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa, spanning about 14,763 km²—though not the absolute biggest (that title goes to Selous Game Reserve at 55,000 km²). It hosts an unparalleled array of animals, from the Big Five to millions of migrating herbivores, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and over 500 bird species.
It is also connected to the Masai Mara and is 10 times larger than the Masai Mara. I had Serengeti as the first stop in Tanzania during my wider Kenya-Tanzania 11-day safari trip. I loved the African safari landscape there. I watched the most beautiful sunrise and also bumped into a lion family with three baby lions.
However, Serengeti probably ranks the lowest amongst all the safaris I visited on the trip. This is probably the most “boring” I’ve had because of its animal density compared to its size.
So it may not be a safari worth your visit!
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
Tanzania 🇹🇿 :
3 Days 2 Nights – Safari trip including Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Kenya 🇰🇪 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
3 Day 2 Night Serengeti tour package
Due to its size and distance from Arusha, a day trip to the Serengeti is not possible, or at least not worth it. Most of the basic safari tours will be 3 to 4 days, including a game drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Animals Expect to See There (Photos & Videos)
In short, ALL! Serengeti animals are the park’s crown jewel, boasting over 70 large mammal species and 500+ birds. The Big Five, herbivores like gazelles, zebras, elephants, aquatic animals like hippos, crocodiles and etc.
Despite that, this is the park I encountered the least animals in my trip because of its size. I didn’t see a leopard, cheetah nor rhino. The only lucky encounter was a lion family with 3 babies and the beautiful sunrise.
The Photo & Videos Collections Of The Lion Family
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
Tanzania 🇹🇿 :
3 Days 2 Nights – Safari trip including Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Kenya 🇰🇪 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
Another Paradise For Lions
Similar to the Masai Mara, there are also a lot of lion tribes in Serengeti. Although not being as dense as the Masai Mara, I still managed to locate a lion family there.
Brief Introduction About Serengeti
The importance of Serengeti National Park lies in its role as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, preserving one of Earth’s last great wildernesses and the annual Serengeti National Park animal migration of over 1.5 million wildebeests and zebras (one of the seven natural wonders in the world). The fame of the Serengeti draws over 350k visitors per year.
Because of the size, the national park is divided into 5 areas. Serengeti divides into five regions: southern (Ndutu plains for calving January-March), central (Seronera, year-round resident game), western (Grumeti corridor for May-June crossings), eastern (less-visited Gol Kopjes for cheetahs), and northern (Lobo to Kogatende, peaking July-October with Mara River drama).
The Great Migration happens mainly at the northern part of the national park.
Serengeti National Park weather is typically dry and sunny, with average temperatures of 15-25°C (59-77°F) year-round, though nights can dip to 10°C (50°F) at higher elevations; the dry seasons (June-October and January-February) offer clear skies and concentrated wildlife.
Size and Cost Compared to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Ngorongoro
Of all the 6 safaris included in my 11 day African safari trip. Serengeti is the largest one at 14,763 km². While the others are as;
Ngorongoro Conservation Area– 8,292 km²
The Masai Mara National Park – 1,510 km²
The Amboseli National Park – 392 km²
The Lake Nakuru National Park – 188 km²
The Lake Naivasha National Park – 140 km²
The entrance fee of Serengeti is not expensive at around 80 USD for 24 hours (instead of 6 am to 6 pm compared to most of the Kenyan safaris). However, given its distance from the Arusha (the closest city center) can range from 6 to 12 hours depending on which part of Serengeti you are going, the tour package is usually ~ 100 – 200 USD more expensive than that of the Kenyan ones. Also due to the distance, you rarely see a day trip to Serengeti from Arusha. The usual option is usually 3 or 4 days, including Ngorongoro.
Travel by air to different parts of Serengeti is also possible but the cost will also drop exponentially.
Camping in Serengeti
Also due to the size of Serengeti. Instead of living in the campsite or lodge outside the national park, like we did in the Masai Mara. Most of the tours in Serengeti offers a tent-camping experience in the wild. It is also one of the best takeways I had during my visit there. There you can enjoy camping in a large tent prepared for you. The tour chef would prepare you with local food. And what’s more amazing is there is even Wifi and charging plug at the dining room !
Some tent-camping site even equips with hot water for shower. So although not like the campsite (with huge private tent) we had Kenya. It is amazing to camp in Serengeti in the wild and under the starry sky.
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
Tanzania 🇹🇿 :
3 Days 2 Nights – Safari trip including Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Kenya 🇰🇪 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
A Unique Experience In Safari
Tent camping is not only a budget option but also a unique experience in Serengenti. Of course, you will not be sleeping with a lion. The campsite is safe and at best, you will only see the herbivores.
Why Serengeti Is Not Worth Visiting
As mentioned multiple times, the main reason is its size. I never thought I met the least animals in Serengeti as compared to all other safaris I had during my 11-day safari trip. Other than that, is about the time.
Unlike Nairobi, Arusha has a lot fewer international flights. So flying to Arusha would probably require at least 5 hours more due to the connecting flight. If you have a week or two for vacation, the safaris around Nairobi are a more time and cost-saving option. Not to mention the icons like the Giraffe center in Nairobi stands out compared to Arusha.
So if you have 2 weeks for Kenya and Tanzania, the time you have in Tanzania is only usually 5 to 4 days. Taking out the transit time, you would only have 1 full day or so in Serengeti. And it is very hard to head to the Northern part (where the Great Migration happens) with limited time.
Lastly, the cost for safari in Tanzania is also in general more expensive and less flexible compared to that of the Kenyans. Again due to the distance from Arusha, you are unlikely to find a meaningful day trip to Serengeti without extreme rush. And even if you were able to find one, there is not much to be seen there for half day. The tour package as I mentioned is usually ~ 100 – 200 USD more expensive than the Kenyan safaris.
Why I Still Chose To Visit Serengeti
First of course, I didn’t what it’s like in the national park. And even if I did know the drawbacks in advance i.e. less animal density, more costly and could even be boring, I would still had chosen to go there.
Because just like the Masai Mara, it is the signature safari in Tanzania. So it is a bucket-list ticking item. (Also the same reason I chose the 11 day safari trip as I could go for one more new Country (Tanzania).
Second, the tent-camping experience in Serengeti is also very unique amongst my previous over 70 Country travel experience. Unlike the “luxurious” campsite that you have in Kenya with private bath room, huge camp room, buffet and electricity. The camping in Serengeti is more wild but with decent facilities. The starry night and morning mist are one of the best scenes I had in my East Africa vacation.
Also on your way to Serengenti, you will be passing Ngorongoro Crater. Most tours will also include a half / full day game drive there. Unlike Serengeti, it has a lot more animals in the conservation area and you can see “migration like scene” under the backdrop of Scotland like landscape.
So if you are aiming for getting the most in 2 weeks, I would still recommend you to include Serengeti in your itinerary.
Things I Didn’t Know About Going to Serengeti
- Migration is at the Northern Serengeti which is 12 hours drive from Arusha
- Due to its altitude, it can get very cold with mist even during summer
- Entrance fee can only be paid by cash
- Despite the size, you are likely meeting less animals here
- Tent-camping has more facilities that I thought, charging plug, wifi and even hot water
Serengeti National Park Review : Despite Being Disappointed, It Is Still Worth Going
You may get disappointed for visit Serengeti. I encountered a lot less animals than my previous safaris in Kenya, although it is supposed to be the most famous one in Tanzania. To fully explore the National Park, you need at least 4 full days and which is not very possible for us with limited annual leaves.
Despite so, I would still recommend you going. Afterall, it is the most famous one in Tanzania and if we have 3 or 4 days extra time in our vacation in Kenya why not bucket list ticking for another Country and world-renowned safari.
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
Tanzania 🇹🇿 :
3 Days 2 Nights – Safari trip including Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Kenya 🇰🇪 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
A Bucketlist Ticking Item
Despite several drawbacks of Serengeti, I would still choose to go there and recommend you do so. After all, it is best valued to go for a new Country and its world-renowned national park with only 4 days as an extension for your Kenya trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Serengeti National Park
What is the importance of Serengeti National Park?
UNESCO site for the great migration and biodiversity conservation.
What is Serengeti altitude?
920-1,850 meters, averaging 1,500m.
What are Serengeti animals?
Big Five, migrating herds, 500+ birds.
What is Serengeti balloon safari price?
Around USD 500 per person similar to that of Masai Mara.
What are Serengeti National Park activities?
Game drives, balloons, walks, Maasai visits.
Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater?
Adjacent; crater for density, Serengeti for migration.
What is Serengeti National Park animal migration?
Annual cycle of 1.5M wildebeests/zebras.
How far from Arusha to Serengeti National Park Arusha?
6-8 hours drive to Southern Serengeti ; ~ 12 hours drive to Northern Serengeti
When is Serengeti National Park great migration?
July-October in the north.
Serengeti National Park how many days?
2 days minimum including transportations. 4 full days are required to fully explore the park.
