The Great Migration · Private Reserves · Big Cats
The endless plains of the Serengeti, where the Great Migration turns full circle every year, from the calving grounds of the south to the Mara River crossings in the north, seen from the finest camps and private reserves in Tanzania.
Private Serengeti safari packages from USD 9,000 per person. Crossing and calving dates book twelve months ahead.
Luxury Serengeti Safaris, in Brief
A luxury Serengeti safari follows the Great Migration through the year: calving on the southern plains around Ndutu from December to March, the Grumeti River crossings in the Western Corridor in June, and the Mara River crossings in the north from July to October. The finest stays are the private reserves of Grumeti and Mwiba, the classic camps of the central Seronera plains and the seasonal camps that move with the herds. Our Serengeti safari packages start from USD 9,000 per person, with camps, park fees, flights and guiding included.
By Abner Ongeri, founder, Karen, Nairobi
Where to Stay in the Serengeti
Each area has its own season and character. These are the camps and lodges we use, and when we would send you to each.
Lamai and Kogatende, at the Mara River
The Tanzanian side of the Mara River, where the herds cross between July and October with a fraction of the vehicles you find in Kenya. Quiet, remote and superb for photography.
Luxury camps and lodges 5 stays, scroll →
Northern SerengetiNimali Mara
Northern Serengeti&Beyond Klein's Camp
Northern SerengetiSayari Camp
LamaiSingita Mara River
Northern SerengetiLemala Kuria HillsThe private Grumeti Reserve
A private reserve of 350,000 acres on the Serengeti boundary, where Singita has exclusive traversing rights. Off road driving, walking, night drives and the Grumeti River crossings in June.
Luxury camps and lodges 5 stays, scroll →
GrumetiSingita Sasakwa Lodge
GrumetiSingita Sabora
Grumeti&Beyond Grumeti
Western SerengetiMapito Camp
GrumetiSingita Faru FaruSeronera and the eastern plains
The heart of the park, where the Seronera River holds water and big cats all year. The eastern plains around Namiri are cheetah country, and the herds pass through in April, May and November.
Luxury camps and lodges 8 stays, scroll →
SerengetiFour Seasons Serengeti
SerengetiWarangi Ridge
SerengetiNimali Serengeti
Central SerengetiLemala Nanyukie
SerengetiSisini Serengeti
Eastern SerengetiNamiri Plains
SerengetiSerengeti Under Canvas
Central SerengetiOne Nature NyaruswigaThe calving grounds
Short grass plains on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area boundary, where the herds give birth between December and March with predators close behind. The most dramatic wildlife weeks of the year.
Luxury camps and lodges 4 stays, scroll →
NdutuLaba Migration Camp
NdutuLemala Mara and Ndutu
NdutuLake Masek Tented Camp
Southern SerengetiUbuntu Migration CampPrivate reserves and remote kopjes
Mwiba Reserve and the Kusini plains sit on the edge of the calving grounds, with private land, walking and night drives, and far fewer vehicles than the park itself.
Luxury camps and lodges
Mwiba ReserveMwiba Lodge
KusiniKusini Serengeti
Mwiba ReserveMwiba PlainsPrivate Luxury Safaris
Grumeti and Mwiba, private land where only a handful of guests drive, walk and go out after dark.
Seasonal camps move with the Migration, so you wake where the herds are that month, not where a lodge was built.
Your own guide and vehicle, positioned for the crossings, with the patience to wait all morning at the river.
See luxury Tanzania safaris, balloon safaris and every camp we use in Tanzania.
Luxury Serengeti Safari Packages
Every journey we offer that includes the Serengeti, with its price. Travel one as it is, or have us reshape it around your dates.
Best Time to Visit Serengeti
Choose a month to see the weather, the wildlife, the prices and where we would place you. Choose a month to see the weather, the wildlife, the prices and where we would send you.
Luxury Private Villas in the Serengeti
A whole house for your party, with your own guide, vehicle and chef.
The safaris were intimate, never rushed, and our guide made each sighting significant.
Guest review · Rated 4.9 from more than 170 reviews
Good to Know
It depends on which part of the Migration you want. December to March for the calving on the southern plains around Ndutu, June for the Grumeti River crossings in the west, and July to October for the Mara River crossings in the north. Big cats are excellent in the central Serengeti all year.
Southern plains and Ndutu from December to March, central Serengeti in April and May, Western Corridor and the Grumeti in June, northern Serengeti at the Mara River from July to October, and back south through the east in November.
Our Serengeti safari packages start from USD 9,000 per person. Most guests spend USD 10,000 to 20,000 per person for eight to twelve nights, and ultra luxury journeys with Singita in the Grumeti run higher.
Singita Sasakwa, Sabora and Faru Faru in the Grumeti, Singita Mara River and Sayari in the north, Four Seasons and Namiri Plains in the centre, and Mwiba Lodge in the south. We match the camp to the month and the herds.
Four nights at the very least, and six or seven to see two areas, as the park is vast and the herds move. Most guests add the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
The Serengeti is far larger, with the full Migration cycle including the calving, and the crossings are quieter. The Maasai Mara is smaller, denser in big cats, with private conservancies allowing off road driving and night drives. Many of our guests do both.
No. The herds gather, hesitate and sometimes turn back. Staying close to the crossing points from July to October, with enough nights and a private vehicle so you can wait, gives you the best odds.
Yes, from the central, southern, western and northern Serengeti depending on the season. A shared flight costs about USD 600 per person, and we add it to your journey.
Begin
Share your dates and who is travelling. A designer in Nairobi will place you where the game will be, hold the best camp for your dates and send an exact price within 24 hours.
Also see luxury Tanzania safaris, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire.
