Great Migration 16-Day Northern Tanzania Safari with Lake Natron & Lake Eyasi
Arusha (2) · Moshi (Kilimanjaro) (2) · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park (2) · Lake Natron (2) · +3 more
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Central Serengeti
Central Serengeti safari: The central Serengeti is the valley of the Seronera River, the one part of the park where water flows all year.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeCentral Serengeti is a year-round area
- Trips18 sample trips
- Destinations nearbySerengeti National Park, Ndutu Area
Central Serengeti safari: what to know
The central Serengeti is the valley of the Seronera River, the one part of the park where water flows all year. Because the water stays, so do the animals that depend on it, and that makes Seronera the most reliable area of the Serengeti for predators in any month.
What to know before you go
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What you see around Seronera
The sausage trees and yellow-barked acacias along the river are the best place in Tanzania to look for leopard resting on a branch through the heat of the day. Lion prides hold territories around the Simba, Maasai and Moru kopjes, and cheetah hunt the shorter grass to the east towards Gol. The Retina hippo pool, where the Seronera and Orangi rivers meet, often holds well over a hundred hippos at close range. A small, closely guarded population of black rhino lives around the Moru Kopjes.
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The migration in the centre
The herds usually pass through twice: heading north-west in April and May, and returning south in November and early December. Outside those weeks the resident game keeps drives productive.
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Practical notes
Seronera has the park's main airstrip, the visitor centre, and the launch sites for hot-air balloon flights at dawn. It also has the highest concentration of lodges and vehicles, so sightings near the river can be busy in July and August. Starting drives at 6 am and working the quieter loops towards Moru or Makoma Hill makes a real difference.
When to visit Central Serengeti
Central Serengeti is a year-round area. June to October is driest and easiest for spotting cats along the river. April, May and November are when the migration is most likely to move through. January to March is green, with fewer vehicles and good birding.
Where It Is
Central Serengeti and the other places we travel to nearby.
Central Serengeti
Trips that include Central Serengeti
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Great Migration 
Luxury Safari 12-Day Luxury Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (2) · +2 more
Luxury Safari 9-Day Luxury Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (3)
Luxury Safari 8-Day Luxury Fly-In Safari: Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Arusha · Lake Manyara National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (2)
Great Migration 11-Day Relaxed Tanzania Safari
Arusha (3) · Tarangire National Park (2) · Karatu · Ngorongoro Crater · Central Serengeti (3) · +1 more
Photography Safari 13-Day Photography Safari in Tanzania
Arusha · Tarangire National Park (2) · Lake Manyara National Park · Lake Eyasi · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · +3 more
Wildlife Safari 15-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Holiday
Arusha (3) · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (3) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Zanzibar (4) · +1 more
Wildlife Safari 7-Day Tanzania Safari: Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Arusha · Lake Manyara National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Moshi (Kilimanjaro)
Honeymoon Safari 12-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Honeymoon
Arusha · Tarangire National Park · Central Serengeti (2) · Ngorongoro Crater (2) · Zanzibar (4) · +1 more
Plan Your Safari to Central Serengeti
Our team in Arusha answers in English, French, German and Spanish.
Questions about Central Serengeti
Why stay in the central Serengeti?
It has permanent water, so resident lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and hippo are present all year. It is the safest choice if your dates do not line up with the migration elsewhere in the park.
Is the migration in central Serengeti?
Only in passing. The herds typically move through in April and May on the way north-west and again in November on the way south. Exact timing depends on the rains.
Where do balloon safaris take off in the Serengeti?
The main launch site is near Seronera in the central Serengeti. Flights leave at dawn, last about an hour and end with breakfast in the bush. They need to be booked in advance.
Destinations nearby
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