Everything you need to know for an amazing 4-day Serengeti safari experience, where to stay in the national park and how to witness the Great Migration crossing the Mara River… but make it ethical!
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After being on a 6-month road trip from South Africa to Uganda and back down to SA again, crossing 10 different countries and going on at least 40 safaris in Africa’s elite wildlife destinations, it is safe to say that the Serengeti holds a magic that is incomparable to anything else I have experienced.
Kruger National Park, Amboseli National Park, Chobe in Botswana and Lake Nakuru in Kenya are high on the best safaris list. But the Serengeti has an abundance of wildlife beyond your imagination. It has the breathtaking beauty of scenic landscapes that adds an awe to your experience. And just being there, in the heart of Maasai land, where nature is at its wildest, you can truly feel the essence of everything you imagined being in Africa would be.
I am so excited to share more about Serengeti National Park with you, how you can also have the most unforgettable experience, see the most wildlife in the most ethical way and how you can witness The Great Migration crossing the Mara River if you find yourself there at the perfect time.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti National Park is a gem of the earth. A haven for wildlife to thrive. It is home to the Maasai people. And an extremely important eco-system for a diversity of wildlife, including the yearly migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles known as The Great Migration.
The Serengeti is in the Northern region of Tanzania and stretches for thousands of miles across endless plains. Between the savannah landscapes, flowing rivers, acacia forests and grasslands, the Serengeti is home to the Big 5 (yes you can possibly even see Rhinos here!) and an abundance of mammals and birdlife.
Keeping this park protected is everything. Without the extensive conservation of the Serengeti, we lose one of the most significant wildlife eco-systems in the world. Not only is protecting this region important for the safety of the animals and the preservation of their habitat, but it is important for the local communities who have lived in harmony with nature here for generations, for tourism and job creation in Tanzania and maintaining a balance in the eco-system.
The Serengeti is threatened by poaching, habitat loss, climate change and over-tourism. All of which we can play a part in changing for the better. We can do our part to educate others about the Serengeti, share our experiences responsibly with a conscious message of why this region needs to be protected now more than ever, taking action in our daily lives to reduce our own carbon footprint and speaking to our guides about creating an ethical safari environment. It might seem like a small and insignificant action, but even starting with an ethical safari experience can create a positive ripple effect in the safari culture of Tanzania.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO FULLY EXPERIENCE THE SERENGETI?
The answer to this question all depends on your reasons for visiting the Serengeti. We booked a 4-day Serengeti, Great Migration and Ngorongoro safari experience. It was the perfect amount of time to tick off everything we wanted to experience here… and more!
Firstly, it is important to remember that nature will always be nature. You never know what you are going to get, especially when it comes to safariing in the wild. The Serengeti is not a private game reserve. It is a national park with no fences and no guarantees of seeing every species or the whole Big 5. One day you might see everything and the next day can be completely different. Going on a safari is all about patience, observing your surroundings and enjoying all of the wildlife from the smallest antelopes and colorful birds to the biggest maned lions and majestic leopards. With that being said, our guide went out of his way to give us the most incredible experience of a lifetime. And there is no 4-day stretch of safariing that could beat what we saw here.
A MINIMUM OF 3 DAYS…
Secondly, you definitely need to start with a minimum of 3 days in the Serengeti. Whether you start your tour from Arusha or take a charter flight into the park, the first half of day one and a part of day 3 is about traveling to and from the Serengeti and getting to your lodge or hotel.
The Serengeti is as massive as 14,763 square km. Your guide will be covering so much ground on your safari days. You need enough time to be able to track wildlife, enjoy your accommodation and take your time appreciating the animals and the beauty that surrounds you. It also takes time to drive between lodges and the best spots for viewing wildlife.
YOUR INTENTION…
And lastly, your intention for your trip will determine the amount of days you need. If you are a photographer or a content creator, then adding an extra day or 2 into your itinerary is so worth it. If you want to see as much wildlife as possible and observe their different behaviors then you will want to have at least 4 or 5 days. Some people may also want rest days in between all of the game drives, so keep that in mind too when planning your itinerary.
My final thoughts on how many days you need in the Serengeti: the more time you have, the higher chance you have of seeing wildlife! If you visit during the rain season, tracking wildlife will also take more time than in dry season. If you want to see The Great Migration then you also need to take the timing of that experience into consideration. But if all of this seems overwhelming, you do not need to worry. Your tour company will be able to guide you every step of the way to make sure you are getting everything your heart desires out of your itinerary. I will share more about planning your safari below!
BEST SEASON TO VISIT THE SERENGETI:
The simple answer to this question is during the dry season, June to September. This is also when The Great Migration happens. So if your goal is to see the migration, you will plan your safari within these months.
DRY SEASON…
Dry season is when you see the most wildlife because the grasslands are shorter and there are larger concentrations of herds gathering nearby bodies of water. There is a much higher chance of spotting predators and unique wildlife during these months. The dry season is also the high season. So expect more people, more safari vehicles and higher prices. It is always best to arrange your Serengeti safari experience long in advance to avoid disappointment because this is one of the most popular safari parks in Africa (if not the most popular!).
WET SEASON…
Wet season in the Serengeti is from November to May. With heavier, longer rainfalls between March and May. And as you can imagine, the rains transform the landscapes into lush green grasslands, with an abundance of water in the savannah for animals to thrive! This is a spectacular season for bird watching and seeing predators hunting because between January and February is calving season. The landscapes were already breathtaking when we were there in August, and actually much more green than I imagined it to be in the middle of dry season! So I can only imagine how beautiful it is in wet season.
Keep in mind that during wet season, many of the roads are impassable, flooded or extremely muddy. Your safari may be limited in some areas of the park. But there are much less people in the off season and you will have more affordable prices.
HOW TO GET TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK:
You have 2 options for reaching the Serengeti National Park: the time consuming but budget friendly way or the faster, more expensive option to save time!
Your Serengeti safari tour will typically start from Arusha, which is about a 7 hour drive from the park. You will be doing this drive on day 1 of your tour… but not to worry, this day includes driving through the Serengeti reserve and the national park to get to your lodge and you get to see animals along the way. We spotted a cheetah and her cub on our way to the lodge!!
Staying in Arusha the day before your tour starts is ideal. We loved our stay at the Summit Safari lodge so much the first time when we did Kilimanjaro, so we stayed here again before our Serengeti Safari. Your driver will pick you up bright and early on day one. You will pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and into the Serengeti National Park on the way to your lodge. Opting to drive to the Serengeti is a more affordable option than taking a flight but it does require more travel time out of your tour.
The second option is taking a charter flight from Arusha straight into the park. This is a recommended option if you have limited time or want to skip the long travel days. Your driver will meet you at the airport to take you to your lodge. When you book your safari tour, your tour company will take care of all the flight reservations. Flying is more costly but it gives you a whole extra day to safari!
WHICH COMPANY DID WE DO OUR SERENGETI safari TOUR WITH:
Because we had the most amazing experience with Climb Kili when we summited Mount Kilimanjaro (read more about our experience here!), we decided to do our Serengeti Safari with them again! And once again, Climb Kili did not disappoint. In fact, they over-exceeded our expectations in so many ways.
In light of all of the trouble that tour companies caused in the 2025 season in the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, we wanted to make sure that we were going with a company who is ethical and has the wildlife’s best interest at heart. If you are like us, you know how much a guide can make or break an experience when it comes to respecting wildlife on a safari. And Climb Kili honored all of our requests to ensure an ethical safari experience, including our viewing of The Great Migration. This made us feel so good about our decision to do this once in a lifetime experience with them. I will share a little more in depth about having an ethical safari experience later in this blog post.
It might sound like Climb Kili is more of a Kilimanjaro company, but trust me, they put together an epic safari tour that is nothing short of exciting and memorable.
OUR CLIMB KILI GUIDE…
We had an amazing guide, Benny, who is not only the best driver we have had in all 6 months of traveling in Africa, but he went out of his way to make sure we experienced the best of what the Serengeti has to offer. He heard our values regarding an ethical safari. He even took us safariing outside of the most crowded spots in the park and we still saw herds of thousands of wildlife, leopards, prides of lions and just so much more! I remember saying multiple times that I couldn’t believe how few cars were around us in the peak of high season. We were so grateful for the routes he chose for us and for how uncrowded our safaris were. And equally as impressed with Benny’s knowledge of wildlife, where to go in the park and how to track the animals.
Climb Kili really created the full package for us between fully experiencing the Serengeti, safariing in Ngorongoro Crater and even witnessing The Great Migration! And in between the activities we got to live the safari lodge life at a beautiful tented camp: Kilima Valley Tented Camp. Being at this camp feels like you are just in the middle of the savannah with no other accommodations around you. It is beautiful, comfortable and wild… we heard lions and hyenas outside our tent every night!
Let’s look at a breakdown of our 4-day itinerary. We would highly recommend this to anyone visiting the Serengeti as we felt like this was the perfect amount of days for an amazing experience.
4- DAY SERENGETI SAFARI ITINERARY:
We found ourselves in the Serengeti in mid-August. So we were extremely lucky to be there during the time that the wildebeest and zebras were crossing the Mara River. We thought we had completely missed the window to see the migration. But luck was on our side and nature blessed us with a crossing! It is important to note that even if you are there during the migration, there is no guarantee to see them crossing the river. Many people centre their entire Serengeti tour around waiting for the migration to cross the Mara. But we took our chance and crossed our fingers that the one day we drive up to the Mara we would see the greatest show on earth. And we did! So this itinerary was completely tailored to our preferences and what we wanted to experience.
DAY 1:
TRAVEL & SAFARI THROUGH THE CONSERVATION & SERENGETI:
- Pick up from the hotel at 7am.
- Drive through the Ngorongoro conservation area to the Serengeti National Park – about 7 hours.
- We stopped for lunch at the entrance gate to the park.
- After lunch we drove to our Tented Camp (Kilima Valley). But this took some time because we saw a lot of wildlife along the way that we stopped to appreciate.
- Arrived at our camp at around 5:30pm.
- Dinner at 7pm (and chats with our guide!)
DAY 2:
SERENGETI DAY:
- An early start to the day with a 6am breakfast.
- At 6:30am we headed out to start our Serengeti Safari day!
- We were on safari all day until about 14:00.
- At 14:00 we had a quick stop at the camp site for lunch.
- 15:00 to 18:00 we went back to safariing. We ended our day at the hippo pool before heading back to Kilima Valley.
- Dinner at 7pm.
DAY 3:
GREAT MIGRATION DAY:
- Another early start with 6am breakfast.
- We headed out at 6:15am to drive for 3 hours to reach the Mara River for a chance to see The Great Migration.
- around 9am we arrived at the Mara and waited 7 hours for the magic to happen!
- We had a packed lunch at midday.
- 16:00 we had to start heading back to Kilima to be back at the camp site before the gates closed.
- Dinner at 7pm.
DAY 4:
NGORONGORO DAY…
- 6am early rise and breakfast.
- 6:30am we drove about 3 hours to Ngorongoro Crater.
- 9:30am to around 1pm we were on safari in the crater.
- 1pm lunch time before heading back to Arusha (about 4 hours).
OUR SERENGETI EXPERIENCE, NGORONGORO & THE GREAT MIGRATION. AKA: WHAT DID WE SEE!
Whenever we hear that someone went on a safari, our first question is always: WHAT DID YOU SEE?? If we hear that they saw more than us then we are always so jealous because we just love nature and we want to see everything! But with the Serengeti, we really felt like we were safariing in the most elite nature destination in all of Africa. And we saw everything we could have dreamed of and more!
PS: You can skip this section if you don’t want any spoilers!
STARTING WITH THE SERENGETI:
As I mentioned before, we saw a cheetah and her cub on our way to our lodge on day one! We didn’t even realize that we would be seeing wildlife on day one. But of course you need to drive through the park to get to your lodge or hotel. And you can’t drive through the Serengeti without stopping for lions, zebras, giraffes and wildebeest along the way!
On day 2, “The Serengeti day,” we wanted to start our safari as early as possible to soak up every minute of being here. We got the full African savannah experience from start to finish. Our morning was filled with zebras and wildebeest crossing the grasslands as the sun was rising higher, creating the most beautiful colors for photography. We saw elephants pulling down trees and joining zebras on their morning stroll. And of course, our favorite, leopard and lion sightings as clear as day in the backdrop of the natural beauty of the savannah. We saw the biggest pride of lions with cubs and massive full-maned lions throughout the entire day. It was as majestic as ever!
There were many different kinds of antelope from the smallest to the largest species. The bird life is teeming with colorful species and magnificent birds of prey. We even ended our day at the Hippo Pool which was spectacular. I think it is the biggest hippo pool I have seen on my entire trip. And wow, did the hippos put on a show for us!
THE LANDSCAPES…
Something that stood out to us on this day was how the landscape changes. It isn’t just flat grasslands, but beautiful Acacia trees, green grass (even in the dry season), massive boulders and rock lands and rivers with palm trees. Our guide told us that most safari vehicles drive around central Serengeti, and we were just North of the most popular area. He told he us loves to come here because it is absolutely abundant in all wildlife and there are significantly less cars. And he was right! There was not more than a couple minute period that we went without seeing an animal. Many times, we were the only car or one of the handful of cars viewing a leopard or lion. We never had to be amongst an overload of cars surrounding an animal.
Our Serengeti day was unforgettable, truly the most significant safari day we have ever had.
THE GREAT MIGRATION:
Where do I even begin to explain what it is like to witness this spectacle of nature. For a few days before we had planned to see the migration, there was a lot of rain that caused the Mara River to rise. In those days, there were little to no wildebeest crossing the river. We thought that we had missed our window to see it happen, but it was quite the opposite. Our guide told us that this was the biggest crossing of the entire season he had seen!
We took 3 hours to drive from Kilima Valley to the Mara River. On our way, we saw many elephants, zebras and antelopes. We reached the grasslands nearby the river and got our first taste of the migration in action. We saw thousands and thousands of wildebeest crossing the savannah and were in complete awe. The herds literally looked like rows of ants. I couldn’t even believe what I was seeing already. To see that scale of abundance in one animal was just unbelievable.
We proceeded to the Mara River and bounced between crossing number 6 and 7 throughout our 7 hour wait. We saw a massive herd across the Mara, hesitating to cross, attempting to dip their hooves in the water, retreating back and forth and moving between crossings. Patience is all we needed for nature to put on her show.
AND THEN IT HAPPENED…
Many hours later and a packed lunch in our bellies, 3 brave wildebeests decided to take on the currents. They successfully made it across to where the grass is greener on the other side. Our guide told us that usually when one goes, they are start going. This got us way too excited and we heard over the radio that many of them were starting to cross at the crossing next to us. We made our way there and what we saw was unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. It was complete mayhem and chaos.
The herd we had been watching all day had tripled, quadrupled in size. And the wildebeest just kept coming and coming from the woodlands. The numbers seemed infinite, coming from all directions, jumping off the cliffs and swimming across the river. We saw devastating injuries and wildebeest not making it against the strength of the current. It was wild!! The number was incomprehensible and I found myself cheering for the success of all the ones that made it across.
It was such a big migration that we had to leave even before it was done to get back to Kilima Valley in time before the gates close. We were beyond thankful that in the final hour they had decided to cross. Because any later we would have missed the crossing.
There is nothing else like it on earth.
NGORONGORO CRATER:
We ended our safari tour in the most unique way, game driving through a volcanic crater! Ngorongoro is so beautiful. The colors, the lake and the lush green areas add so much to your safari experience. Because the area of Ngorongoro is much smaller than the Serengeti, you will see large groups of animals gathering in the grasslands and there is so much birdlife around the lake.
We saw so many buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, a lioness and 2 fully grown male lions! And many other animals in between. We definitely preferred safariing in the Serengeti because the crater was much more crowded with cars. But honestly, it seemed more crowded in the beginning of the morning until all of the cars dispersed to different sightings.
Regardless of it being more crowded, we had an amazing experience in Ngorongoro and our photography from here is breathtaking!
We also got to have lunch at a lush green dam with hippos and Maribou storks. This was an amazing way to end this epic experience.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE NAME NGORONGORO COMES FROM?
It comes from the sound of the bells that the Maasai people put on their cows to know where they are. I love that!
YOU CAN FULLY CUSTOMIZE YOUR ITINERARY WITH CLIMB KILI:
What I shared in this blog is just our itinerary that suited us. But when you book your tour through Climb Kili you can customize your itinerary according to your own preferences and budget. Whether you are a budget, mid-ranged or luxury traveler, Climb Kili can accommodate you with everything from activities to hotels/lodges.
If you are unsure about where to start planning your Serengeti Safari, you can decide on the amount of days you have and what your budget is per day and Climb Kili will do the rest. You might have an idea on where you would like to stay and what activities you want to do and this can be communicated to them in order for them to start booking everything for you. And if you don’t have any ideas yet, Climb Kili can put together a suitable itinerary for you with accommodation options for you to choose from.
This is exactly what they did for us and we didn’t change a thing on our schedule. It was perfectly planned and coordinated, especially with the migration.
WHERE TO STAY ON YOUR SERENGETI SAFARI, HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS:
One of the factors in deciding where to stay in the Serengeti is considering the area you most want to experience game driving in. Most people safari in central and northern Serengeti. If you are visiting when the migration crosses the Mara River and you want as much time as possible to see the migration, then staying in the North is your best bet. You won’t have to travel many hours to and from your lodge to the Mara River. Many people focusing on The Great Migration will book a multi-day mobile camp that moves around each day with the migration movement.
KILIMA VALLEY CAMP:
If you are doing a 3 or 4 day Serengeti Safari then staying in one camp for all of the nights is a great idea. You have a base from which you will go out on safaris from and return to each day. This is what we did and it was perfect. We stayed at such a stunning camp: Kilima Valley Tented Camp. The tents are so spacious with comfortable beds, hot showers and WI-FI. It was such a comfy stay and there are no other lodges or camps nearby. It really feels like you are alone in the bush. Kilima also has a lovely dining hall for buffet breakfasts and dinners. We enjoyed the homey meals every evening after fulfilling days of adventuring. The staff at Kilima were always so friendly and even welcomed us with a song that immediately got us into the safari vibe.
Another option is to move between different lodges or hotels across the Serengeti. You will safari around each area between your stays. This allows for more time in different regions of the Serengeti without needing hours to travel to areas further away from your lodge.
If you have any questions about where to stay and what your options are, Climb Kili can give you all of the answers and cater your stay to your needs.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TANZANIA SAFARI EXPERIENCE WITH CLIMB KILI?
You can book your Serengeti Safari directly with Climb Kili through their website by filling out their contact form with your inquiry and itinerary ideas. Climb Kili is extremely responsive. They will get back to you on email in good timing to start arranging your tour. They also multi-day safari packages that you can read more about here. But don’t forget that your safari tour is customizable in any which way you desire. This is just a great place to start researching everything that is possible for your experience.
You can also contact Climb Kili via each of their offices:
- Tanzania: +255 767 282 042
- U.S: 1-888-589-1884 (this is also their Whatsapp number)
- UK/EU: +1 843 589 1884
Our safari tour was booked at the last minute because of unexpected plans. And Climb Kili really came through for us in every way. I highly recommend not only climbing Kilimanjaro with Climb Kili but also doing your safari with them. Their company and their guides are so professional, well-organized and amazing at making us feel welcomed.
IS CENTRAL OR NORTHERN SERENGETI BETTER?
It all depends on the time of year you are visiting the Serengeti. So, let me start by saying that the area our guide took us to was perfection. We were not in the middle of central Serengeti where it is the most popular and overcrowded during season time. We were just north of it. Our guide said that he loves to safari in this area because there are much less vehicles and just as much wildlife as the most popular spots in central Serengeti. And he was right. We did not feel like we missed out on seeing any wildlife. And we didn’t have to deal with 10s of cars around one sighting.
We spent our Serengeti day all around just north of central Serengeti and the Seronera region. And on day 3 is when we went up North to the Mara River for The Great Migration.
Central Serengeti is great for game viewing all year round. You will be able to see large herds of animals, hippo pools and the Big 5, especially many lions!
Northern Serengeti is famous for The Great Migration which happens between July and October every year. Experiencing this region of the Serengeti is unmatched during these months. Because not only do you have the chance to see the greatest show on Earth, but the migration attracts so much other wildlife, predators and hunts. Whether you see the migration crossing the Mara River or not, adding the Northern Serengeti into your itinerary in these months is a must.
Whether you do central or northern Serengeti, you will experience an abundance of wildlife unlike anything else you have seen. Nature is still nature, but the Serengeti is a magical place for witnessing real life National Geographic in action.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI AND NGORONGORO NATIONAL PARK?
If you are game driving in the Serengeti, you might as well add in a Ngorongoro safari as well. They are right next to each other and both very well worth it. But if you do not have time to do a multi-day safari tour, you can just do Ngorongoro Crater and have a beautiful game sighting experience.
The Serengeti is a massive savannah region with endless plains. Ngorongoro is a volcanic crater covering a smaller area. There are no people allowed to live within the bounds of the Serengeti National Park. Meanwhile in the Ngorongoro Conservation area, the Maasai people and their livestock live with nature. The Serengeti has massive herds of animals spread throughout the park. It is famous for the yearly migration of wildebeest, zebras and antelope. Ngorongoro is famous for being able to possibly see the whole Big 5. Because the crater is a smaller area, it may be easier to spot wildlife without needing to safari for multiple days.
WHAT IS THE GREAT MIGRATION?
AKA: THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!
The Great Migration is the yearly migration of about 2 million zebras, wildebeest and gazelle crossing the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara region with dramatic river crossings, including the crossing of the Mara River. They follow pathways and routes that they have been crossing for generations.
January to March: The migration starts in the south of the Serengeti where around half a million wildebeest calves are born. They have plenty of grasslands for food here, until the rains become less and they need to migrate in search of food and water.
March to May: They start moving towards the southwest and southern-central Serengeti. The grass in the south has dried out and they need to find fresh grass to graze on.
In June, the migration is in the central and western Serengeti and start to move north into Kenya, to the Maasai Mara.
July to September: This is when you will see the chaotic and dramatic river crossings. The wildebeest and zebras risk their lives to reach greener grass on the Kenyan side of the Mara.
In October they begin their journey back across the river to the Serengeti as the grass begins to get more lush and green again.
November: They start to move back down to southern Serengeti to complete their migratory loop and prepare once again for calving season.
WHEN IS THE GREAT MIGRATION AND HOW CAN I SEE IT?
If seeing The Great Migration is on your bucket list, you can make this spectacle a part of your itinerary. Either the way that we did it – which is a bit risky because there are not river crossings every day of the season. You kind of just have to get lucky if you only attempt to see the crossing one or 2 days out of your itinerary. Or you can centre your itinerary (or at least a couple of days) around the migration to ensure you see all of the action.
You need patience and time to see The Great Migration. And depending on when you plan to visit Tanzania, the migration could be in different areas of the Serengeti. Or even in the Maasai Mara. So keeping the paths of the migration in mind is key when planing your trip. Being a part of a mobile camp that tracks the migration for a couple of days is the best way to guarantee the sighting.
The Great Migration happens every year between July and October throughout the Northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara National Park. Remember, their movements can differ each year depending on climates and the rain season. Climb Kili has guides and trackers on the ground throughout the migration season. They constantly communicate about crossings, movements and sightings.
TIP YOUR GUIDES:
The guides at Climb Kili really go out of their way to give you the ultimate Serengeti safari experience! Remember to tip your guide accordingly for all of their effort and positive vibes during your tour. A decent amount to tip your Serengeti safari guide is anywhere between $10 to $20 or more per person, per day. If your guide did an excellent job and gave all of his effort to make your experience memorable, then tipping them on the higher side is appropriate.
AN ETHICAL SAFARI GUIDE:
There is a lot of resistance and debate about going on a safari these days. And rightfully so because of all the unethical practices that tourists and companies have made “normal” in recent years. It is completely unacceptable to put your enjoyment over and above the well-being of wildlife. And sometimes those lines can be easily blurred when we cross our boundaries and disrespect the rules of the park. I cannot stress how important it is for us as visitors to this land to honor nature and respect all wildlife sightings.
Sometimes we can be confused as to how to speak up when we feel uncomfortable in certain situations or we don’t want to make our guide feel bad for doing something “wrong”. But communication is key.
Here are a few things you can do to have an understanding with your guide about keeping your safari ethical and respectful of the animals:
- Explain to your guide before your tour that you do not want to be a part of sightings that have an overwhelming amount of vehicles.
- Communicate to your guide that if at any point you feel uncomfortable on the safari, you will speak up and your guide does not need to take anything personally.
- Keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
- Do not block any pathways, especially when you are watching the migration.
- Do not make any sounds or loud noises when game viewing.
- Use a reputable, ethical and eco-friendly safari company.
- Ensure your tour company does not take part in any activities that exploit animals.
- At The Great Migration, ask your guide to park in a safe location that does not block the generational paths of the wildebeest and zebras. There are plenty of great spots to see the migration from without disturbing the wildlife.
- Support local communities’ arts and crafts and community activities.
- Do not ask your guide to do anything outside of the rules of the park or the company’s guidelines.
- Do not feed animals or try to touch animals: this is not only illegal and disrespectful but also dangerous.
- Never ever get out of your vehicle. Even if your guide gives you permission. Unless it is in a designated area that states you are allowed to exit your car.
DO NOT PUT UNNECESSARY PRESSURE ON YOUR GUIDE…
It is also very important to remember that the guides are under a lot of pressure from many clients to have the best possible sightings and to get as close to the animals as possible. Yes, some people can be very unreasonable. They forget that nature is nature and you won’t always have the best of the best sightings and that is no fault of the guide whatsoever. This does put a pressure on the guides. They could get bad reviews or complaints from clients even when they did their best to accommodate their clients in every way. So, as clients, it is also our responsibility to hold true to ethical safariing. To reassure our guides that we know nature will be nature and we will not be unreasonable or unfair towards the guide or the company if we do not see everything we expected.
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE WILD…
Have I convinced you to do a Serengeti safari yet?? Between the natural beauty of the park, the abundance and diversity of wildlife, the game driving, the lodge experience and everything in between, there is truly just nothing else like it on Earth. And to be able to have such a wild experience in an ethical way is even more fulfilling. I hope that this blog has helped you gain a bit more of an insight into making your dream Serengeti safari experience come true!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT ARE THE BEST SERENGETI SAFARI TOURS?
Most Serengeti tours will include a combination of safaris in the Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara if you have extra time. If you only have a few days, your safari will be more focused on Serengeti and Ngorongoro. The absolute best safari tour will include The Great Migration and the crossing of the Mara River if you are there during July and September.
DOES THE SERENGETI HAVE THE BIG 5?
Yes, the Serengeti does have the whole Big 5. But it is very rare to see a Rhino, although not impossible. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the whole Big 5 on your safari. It is more likely to see Rhino in Ngorongoro Crater.
HOW MUCH IS A SERENGETI SAFARI?
It all depends on your itinerary and your budget range. Budget-safari experience can be around $350 per day per person. A mid-range safari can be around $450-$600 per day. and luxury can be anywhere from $800 upwards per day.
CAN YOU GO ON A NIGHT SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI?
Yes you can do a night safari in the Serengeti. But it requires a special permit that needs to be arranged with your Safari company beforehand. This permit costs a lot more than your daily safari permit. A ranger will be accompanying you on your night safari. This is something that Climb Kili can arrange for you as part of your Serengeti Safari itinerary.
DO I NEED TO TAKE MALARIA TABLETS FOR THE SERENGETI?
There are mosquitos in the Serengeti and there is a risk of getting Malaria. More so during the wet season. You can either take malaria tablets throughout your visit in Tanzania. Or you can take precautions by keeping your skin covered at sunrise and sunset, use a mosquito net and wear mosquito repellent.
IS SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK WORTH IT?
YES! Every single dollar spent to make your safari dreams come true here is 100% worth it. Safariing in the Serengeti is so fulfilling because not only do you have an abundance of wildlife but you also have beautiful landscapes and the feeling of being so deep in the wild nature of Africa. You also have the opportunity to see The Great Migration. And have cultural experiences with the Maasai people to learn about their way of life and rich history.
IS NGORONGORO NATIONAL PARK WORTH IT?
Yes, Ngorongoro Crater is definitely worth the visit! You are literally going on a safari inside a volcano crater… that is way too amazing. The crater is home to diverse wildlife and the Big 5. This is where tourists are more likely to see Rhinos. To see all of these amazing animals against the backdrop of the crater is spectacular, especially for photographers.
IS TRAVELING IN TANZANIA SAFE?
Tanzania is very safe for tourists. Whether you choose to go on a tour or hire a car for self driving, it is safe to travel in Tanzania and between the national parks. Tourists can take usual precautions with their belongings when walking in towns or driving in remote areas. But overall Tanzania is safe and the local people are always happy to help when you need!
