What You Need to Know: Where to stay in the Serengeti depends on the month: the central Serengeti (Seronera) is good all year for big cats, Ndutu on the southern plains from December to March for calving, and the northern Serengeti (Kogatende) from July to October for the Mara River crossings. Choose the area first and the comfort level second; a camp in the right area saves hours of driving.
Which Serengeti Area Is Best in Which Month?
The central Serengeti around Seronera works all year; stay at Ndutu in the south from December to March for calving, in the Western Corridor from May to July, and in the northern Serengeti around Kogatende from July to October for the Mara River crossings.
| Area | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Central (Seronera) | All year | Resident big cats, easy access |
| Southern (Ndutu) | December – March | Calving herds and predators |
| Western Corridor | May – July | The herds moving north |
| Northern (Kogatende) | July – October | Mara River crossings |
| Eastern plains | November – May | Cheetahs, fewer vehicles |
The central Serengeti, around Seronera, is the heart of the park and good all year: big cats on the kopjes and along the river, and many camps. The southern Serengeti and Ndutu come alive from December to March, when the herds give birth on the short-grass plains. The Western Corridor sees the herds around May to July, with the Grumeti River crossings. The northern Serengeti, around Kogatende, is the place for the Mara River crossings from July to October.
Choosing your area by month is the key to a good Serengeti safari. Seronera is a safe choice whenever you go; adding a camp near the herds gives you the migration too.
See how lodge choice changes the price and our migration safaris.
How to Choose Your Serengeti Camp
If you have three nights, stay in the central Serengeti, or near the herds if the timing is right. With four or more, split between Seronera and the migration area of the month. Book early for July to October and February.
| If you… | Stay |
|---|---|
| Have one or two Serengeti nights | Central Serengeti |
| Travel January – March | Ndutu |
| Travel July – October | Northern Serengeti; fly in |
| Want fewer vehicles | A tented camp away from Seronera, or the eastern plains |
Serengeti Camps We Book, by Area and Level
| Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Nyani Campsite, Engiterata Adventure Campsite, Maboresho Tented Camp | Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge, Serengeti Classic View Camp, Manya Luxury Camp, Mawe Tented Camp, Baobab Tented Camp Central, Ang'ata Serengeti, Serengeti Tortilis Camp, Embalakai Serengeti Camp, Land of Nature Tented Lodge | Nyota Luxury Tented Camp, Serengeti Serena Lodge, Naisula Serengeti Camp (couples and families), Meliá Serengeti, Four Seasons Serengeti |
| Ndutu | Serengeti Classic View Ndutu | Ndutu Wildland Camp, Ndutu Katikati Camp, Ang'ata Camp, Baobab Naabi Luxury Serengeti Camp | Malaika Ndutu Luxury Camp, Masek Tented Lodge |
| North (Kogatende) | Serengeti Classic View Kogatende | Olmorijo Camp, Nyikani Migration Camp, GNU Migration Camp, Baobab Mara Luxury Camp | Malaika Mara River Luxury Camp, Serengeti Ark Safari Lodge, Mara Mara Tented Lodge, River Camp |
These are lodges we book, or similar: we aren't limited to them and can arrange other lodges to suit your priorities. Your quotation names the camp for your dates. Seasonal camps at Ndutu and in the north fill early for February and August.
Should You Stay Inside or Outside the Serengeti?
Inside, for early-morning and evening game drives without long drives to the gate. Each night inside adds a concession fee, included in our prices. Camps outside the park are cheaper but mean more driving each day.
Serengeti Lodges or Tented Camps: Which Suits You?
Lodges are permanent buildings with solid rooms, often a pool and more facilities. Tented camps put you in large canvas tents with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, closer to the sounds of the bush, and some move with the herds. Both are comfortable; tented camps feel more like the wild, lodges more like a hotel.
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury Camps in the Serengeti
| Level | What you get |
|---|---|
| Budget | Simple tented camps or lodges, often outside the main areas; good food, fewer extras |
| Mid-range | Comfortable tented camps in good wildlife areas, en-suite bathrooms |
| Luxury | Prime locations, spacious tents or suites, private decks, top service |
Lodge level is the biggest single factor in a safari's price; see our safari cost guide and the full list of lodges we use.
Should You Move Camps During a Serengeti Stay?
On a 3-night Serengeti stay, one camp in the right area is usually best. With 4 nights or more, splitting between the central Serengeti and the area where the herds are that month gives you both reliable big cats and the migration.
Serengeti Mobile Camps That Follow the Herds
Some Serengeti camps move during the year to stay close to the herds: in the south for calving season and in the north for the river crossings. They are tented camps with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms, set up for a few months at a time. Staying in a mobile camp puts you near the migration, though their exact location depends on the season and the herds.
Common Questions About Where to Stay in the Serengeti
Is it better to stay inside or outside the Serengeti?
Inside, for early and late game drives without long drives to the gate.
Which area of the Serengeti is best?
The central Serengeti is best all year; Ndutu for calving and the north for crossings in their seasons.
Are tented camps safe?
Yes. Staff walk you to your tent after dark, and tents have proper beds and bathrooms.
Is it better to stay inside the Serengeti?
Yes, for more time with the wildlife; it costs more because of the park concession fee charged per night.
Where should I stay in the Serengeti in February?
In the southern Serengeti or Ndutu, near the calving herds.
Where should I stay in August?
In the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River, for the crossings.
How far in advance should I book a Serengeti camp?
Six to twelve months for peak months; three to six months otherwise.
The Bottom Line
Pick the area for your month, then the level. The central Serengeti works all year; Ndutu and the north are worth it in their seasons.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.